As technology continues to advance, so do cyber threats. Cybercriminals are constantly on the lookout for ways to exploit vulnerabilities and gain access to sensitive information. As a result of this, Microsoft have been making changes to authentication methods when signing into Office 365.
At BITS, we understand the importance of keeping your business safe and secure. We’re here to break down this change and explain why it matters for your business.
What is the change Microsoft are implementing?
Microsoft have announced the rollout of security defaults to all Office 365 tenants globally. This is designed to help customers, like you, take the first steps towards better security practices. This is achieved by requiring Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as a default setting, if not already in place, and in doing so enhances the protection of your Office 365 accounts and makes it more difficult for cybercriminals to gain unauthorised access.
Why is this important for your business?
Microsoft have found that organisations using M365 accounts created prior to 2019 where security controls were not implemented, are at a higher risk of getting breached. Identity attacks prove to be one of the most significant risks in the cloud environment, with attempted attacks occurring every 2 seconds. If your account gets compromised, those with unauthorised access can read emails sent to your mailbox and send emails acting as you.
This change from Microsoft is important for your business as it ensures that your systems are protected from cyber threats. This is a starting point in terms of security within your M365 environment, however such changes are necessary towards protecting your business from potential data breaches and cyber-attacks. To achieve a higher level of security and mitigate the risks further, we recommend considering a zero-trust security posture for your organisation – contact us to find more about how we can assist in this endeavour.
What are the benefits of this change?
There are numerous benefits to Microsoft enabling security defaults.
- Improved security: There will be an additional password/code required for logins to Microsoft 365, making it more difficult for others to gain access.
- Cyber Insurance: In a world where cyber insurance is becoming more important, MFA tends to be a requirement to avail of such services.
- Peace of mind: You can focus on growing your business and have peace of mind by knowing your systems are more secure than they were before the change.
The impact of these changes will vary depending on your current security measures. If you are already using MFA there should be no disruption. However, if you have not yet implemented MFA in Office 365, you will be prompted to do so. If you have any issues in relation to this or you want to discuss further steps such as further enhancing the overall security within your business, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We’re here to help you keep your business safe and secure.