In today’s digital landscape, cyber security is more critical than ever. With cyber attacks on the rise and the financial impacts of breaches worsening, businesses must prioritise their security measures. One effective way to do this is by leveraging Microsoft 365 Secure Scores.

What is a Microsoft 365 Secure Score?

A Microsoft Secure Score is a measurement of an organisation’s security posture. It provides a numerical score between 0 and 100%, indicating how well an organisation is implementing recommended security actions. A higher score represents a stronger security posture.

The Importance of Microsoft Secure Scores

According to our research at ARO, 63% of surveyed businesses had a Secure Score below 50%, emphasising significant gaps in their security configurations. This is especially concerning when considering that nearly 25% of Small Business Management (SBMs) reported experiencing a security breach in the past year. Furthermore, less than 50% of these SMBs have a dedicated IT security expert in-house.

Benefits of Improving Your Secure Score

By following Microsoft’s security recommendations, businesses can drastically reduce the risk of data breaches and cyber attacks. Here are some of the key benefits:

  • Enhanced Visibility and Control: Secure Score provides insights into the current state of your security posture, helping you identify areas for improvement.
  • Benchmarking and KPIs: It allows organisations to compare their security posture with industry benchmarks and establish key performance indicators.
  • Cost Savings: With the global average cost of a data breach reaching £3.5 million in 2023, improving your security posture can lead to significant cost savings.

Steps to Improve Your Secure Score

To enhance your Secure Score, consider the following steps:

  1. Identity and Access Management: Implement strong authentication methods and manage user identities effectively.
  2. Data Protection: Ensure that sensitive data is encrypted and protected against unauthorised access.
  3. Threat Protection: Implement advanced threat protection solutions to detect and mitigate potential threats.
  4. Security Posture Management: Regularly assess and improve your security configurations.
  5. Effective Security Operations: Establish robust security operations to monitor and respond to security incidents promptly.

ARO’s Secure+ Solution

For businesses looking to further enhance their Microsoft 365 environment, ARO offers Microsoft 365 solutions such as the Secure+ solution. Secure+ provides a comprehensive suite of proactive services, including baseline monitoring, quarterly updates, tenant housekeeping, license management, health checks, and security information and event management (SIEM). By incorporating Secure+, organisations can fortify their Microsoft landscape against vulnerabilities, ensure compliance, optimise costs, and foster a resilient digital infrastructure.

Conclusion

Improving your Microsoft 365 Secure Score is a proactive step towards safeguarding your business against cyber threats. By implementing recommended security actions and leveraging solutions like ARO’s Secure+, you can enhance your security posture, reduce the likelihood of breaches, and protect your valuable data. Book your free Microsoft Security Audit to find out how your organisation’s defences score across all 5 areas.