Microsoft 365 · Security configuration
Service group: Microsoft 365Harden your tenant across identity, email, devices and data
Most Microsoft 365 compromises start with a stolen password, a convincing phishing email or a file shared too widely. We configure the security controls your licences already include, in a planned order, so the tenant is meaningfully harder to break into and easier to investigate.
At a glance
- Service
- Security configuration and hardening of a Microsoft 365 tenant across identity, email, devices, data sharing and logging
- Best suited to
- Canadian organizations of roughly 5 to 200 employees that want Microsoft 365 security controls configured deliberately rather than left at defaults
- Core inclusions
- Identity and Conditional Access baseline, admin role hardening, email protection policies, device compliance, sharing restrictions, audit logging and Secure Score review (as scoped)
- Not included by default
- Continuous after-hours monitoring, incident forensics, regulatory compliance sign-off, legal advice and licence purchases
- Licensing note
- Available controls depend on your plan; Business Premium includes Entra ID P1, Intune, Defender for Business and Defender for Office 365 Plan 1. Licences are purchased separately unless written into your proposal
- Pricing basis
- Hardening quoted as a project; ongoing security configuration reviews included in managed plans; confirmed in a written quotation
What Microsoft 365 security covers
Microsoft 365 security is configuration work across the whole tenant. Microsoft secures the underlying cloud platform, but under its shared responsibility model, how your accounts, devices, email and data are configured is your responsibility. A tenant with every user on Business Premium can still be easy to compromise if multifactor authentication has gaps, legacy protocols are allowed and admin accounts are used for email.
Our service plans and applies a security baseline across identity, email, endpoints, collaboration and logging, then keeps it current as Microsoft adds features and changes defaults. We use Microsoft Secure Score as one input, not as the goal: each recommendation is weighed against how your business works and what your licences include.
It is distinct from our narrower pages. Microsoft Entra ID Management focuses on identity alone, Microsoft Defender for Business on deploying that endpoint product, and the Microsoft 365 Tenant Assessment is a one-time review. Microsoft 365 Security is the hardening work that ties them together.
Risks we address
Account takeover
A phished password, a reused credential or an MFA prompt approved by mistake gives an attacker access to email, files and the ability to send fraudulent invoices.
Business email compromise
Attackers set forwarding rules, impersonate executives and redirect payments, and nobody notices because audit logging was never reviewed.
Data shared too widely
Anonymous links and broad internal access expose client and financial documents, a risk that grows when AI assistants can surface whatever users can reach.
Unprotected or unmanaged devices
Personal and unencrypted devices sync company data with no way to block them or wipe it.
Security controls we configure
Identity baseline
MFA for every user, phishing-resistant methods for administrators, legacy authentication blocked, and Conditional Access policies or security defaults depending on your licences.
Privileged access
Dedicated admin accounts, least-privilege roles, emergency access accounts and restricted access to admin portals.
Email protection
Preset security policies in Exchange Online Protection and Defender for Office 365, impersonation protection, external forwarding controls and domain authentication.
Device trust
Intune compliance policies connected to Conditional Access, BitLocker and FileVault enforcement, and endpoint protection onboarding.
Data sharing controls
SharePoint and OneDrive sharing limits, guest access restrictions, app consent controls and, where licensed, sensitivity labels and data loss prevention basics.
Logging and alerting
Unified audit log confirmed on, mailbox auditing verified, alert policies for risky activity and a documented process for reviewing them.
What is included, and what needs separate scope
Typically included
- Security baseline design matched to your licences
- Conditional Access or security defaults configuration
- Admin role clean-up and emergency access accounts
- Exchange Online Protection and Defender for Office 365 policy configuration
- Device compliance requirements for access to Microsoft 365
- SharePoint, OneDrive and Teams external sharing restrictions
- Audit logging, alert policies and a review procedure
- Secure Score review with prioritized recommendations
Requires separate scope or quotation
- Continuous after-hours monitoring or security operations centre services
- Forensic investigation of an active breach
- Compliance certification, audits or legal advice
- Microsoft licence purchases, unless written into your proposal
- Enterprise Azure security architecture, referred to CloudArchitects.expert
Microsoft security features involved
- Microsoft Entra ID security defaults, Conditional Access and authentication methods policy
- Microsoft Entra ID Protection and Privileged Identity Management where P2 is licensed
- Exchange Online Protection and Microsoft Defender for Office 365
- Microsoft Intune compliance policies and security baselines
- Microsoft Defender for Business or Defender for Endpoint
- Microsoft Purview audit, sensitivity labels and data loss prevention
- Microsoft Secure Score and the Microsoft Defender portal
Who this service suits
Organizations handling money by email
Businesses that send or approve payments by email and need protection against invoice fraud.
Firms facing insurer questionnaires
Organizations whose cyber insurance renewal asks about MFA, EDR, admin accounts and logging.
Tenants that grew without a plan
Companies that adopted Microsoft 365 quickly and never revisited security settings.
What improves
- Stolen passwords alone no longer open your tenant
- Admin rights limited, separated and recoverable
- Fewer phishing and impersonation emails reaching staff
- Company data restricted to trusted devices and intended recipients
- Audit evidence available if something does go wrong
- Clear answers for insurers and clients about your controls
How hardening is delivered
Security review
We review your licences, current configuration, Secure Score, sign-in patterns and existing exceptions.
Prioritized plan
We propose changes in order of risk reduction and business impact, with communication needs for each.
Staged implementation
Changes are tested in report-only or audit mode where possible, then enabled for pilot groups and everyone.
Documentation
The resulting baseline, exceptions and break-glass procedures are documented and handed to you.
Ongoing review
Under a managed plan, configuration is reviewed on schedule and new Microsoft features are evaluated.
Ways to engage
All arrangements are confirmed by a written quotation.
Microsoft 365 Security Assessment
A fixed-scope assessment of your security configuration with prioritized findings.
Hardening project
Implementation of the agreed baseline, delivered in stages with documentation.
Ongoing security management
Configuration reviews within Microsoft 365 Managed Services or a Managed IT package.
Frequently asked questions
Isn’t Microsoft responsible for security?
Microsoft secures its data centres and platform. Under its shared responsibility model, your identities, devices, access settings and data configuration remain your responsibility, which is what this service addresses.
Do we need Business Premium for this?
Not necessarily, but it helps. Business Premium includes Conditional Access, Intune, Defender for Business and Defender for Office 365 Plan 1. With Basic or Standard we work with security defaults and the controls available.
Will security changes disrupt staff?
Some changes, like MFA, require user action. We test policies first, roll out in stages and give staff clear instructions before enforcement.
Is a high Secure Score the goal?
No. Secure Score is a useful checklist, but some recommendations do not fit every business. We prioritize changes by actual risk and impact.
Does this make us compliant with privacy laws?
This service supports privacy-aware operations, but compliance depends on your policies and processes as well as technology. Consult qualified advisers for legal or regulatory obligations.
Related services
Products and packages
Industries we support
Service areas
Find out how exposed your tenant is
Start with a Microsoft 365 Security Assessment or book a consultation. Scope and pricing are confirmed in a written quotation.