Ten high-impact Microsoft 365 and Entra ID security settings, from MFA and Conditional Access to logging and backup.
Most Microsoft 365 breaches start with identity compromise or misconfiguration. These ten settings deliver outsized protection and are available in most business licenses.
- Enforce MFA for everyone. Prefer phishing-resistant methods such as passkeys or authenticator-based approval over SMS.
- Block legacy authentication, which cannot enforce MFA.
- Use Conditional Access. Require compliant devices, restrict risky sign-ins and limit access by location where sensible.
- Protect admin accounts. Separate admin identities, use just-in-time elevation (Privileged Identity Management where licensed) and keep emergency access accounts.
- Enable Defender for Office 365 features. Safe Links, Safe Attachments and anti-phishing policies.
- Manage devices with Intune. Enforce encryption, patching and compliance.
- Turn on auditing and alerts. Unified audit log, mailbox auditing and alert policies for suspicious activity.
- Restrict external sharing. Review guest access and sharing links in SharePoint and Teams.
- Apply email authentication. SPF, DKIM and DMARC protect your domain from spoofing.
- Back up critical data. Microsoft provides availability, but you remain responsible for data protection and retention needs.
Track progress
Use Microsoft Secure Score to measure improvements and prioritize next steps, and review it monthly.
Our Microsoft solutions team configures, secures and supports Microsoft 365, Entra ID and Defender environments.
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This article is general information, not legal, audit or compliance advice.
