Microsoft 365 security tips you need to know

As the world is evolving and quickly heading towards a digital future, so is the cyber landscape. That’s why cybersecurity is among the top problems the government and businesses are trying to tackle this year. However, one of the most worrying issues is that most businesses aren’t aware that their data is at risk and that it needs to be protected when stored in Microsoft 365. It’s not just hackers that pose a threat to your data, your employees can quickly – even unintentionally – put sensitive business information at risk too. To help, we’ve compiled a few easy tips you can follow to keep your data safe in Microsoft 365.  

Here are 4 good practices to keep your data in safe hands: 

1. Make your passwords hacker-proof

A very simple, but effective step for protecting your data is to create strong passwords that are impossible to crack. It’s very tempting to use a password that’s easy to remember. However, that’s the opposite of what you and your staff should do. Try not to use easily recognisable words like names or simple number combinations. Instead, go for something that is a mixture of letters, numbers, and symbols and includes some lower and upper cases. Our top tip: If you or your employees struggle to memorize all the passwords, utilise an app that automatically generates strong passwords and even stores them for you.

2. Set up multi-factor authentication for your account

Multi-factor authentication, also called 2-factor authentication, is a very effective method to keep your business’ data safe in Microsoft 365. The way it works is that every time you log into your account, you’re prompted to insert a passcode. This code will either be sent to your phone or email account or generated in your Microsoft Authenticator app that your employees can download on their phone. Should one of your passwords ever fall into the hands of a hacker, they won’t be able to access your account as they’ll be asked to insert the authentication code that they cannot access.

3. Train your staff on Cyber Security Procedures

Having every possible security measure in place is great and takes your business one step closer to cybersecurity. However, if your staff aren’t trained to be cyber security aware, it could cause a gap in your defences and leave your business vulnerable to cyber-attacks or data breaches. That’s why it’s very important to train your staff on security measures like: 

• How to create complex passwords 
• How to protect your devices  
• How to detect phishing emails or ransomware  
• How to confirm they’re using safe networks  

Knowing that all your employees are fully aware of most critical security steps and potential threats will give you peace of mind, and bolster your cyber security defenses. 

4. Get comprehensive cybersecurity solutions for your business

Every business, whether big or small, should protect itself from cybercriminals. Without the right protective measures in place, you could lose sensitive data, suffer damaging downtime and face hefty financial fines due to data breaches.  

Have your alarm bells started ringing yet? Please don’t take it lightly, the threat is real. Calder IT will help you get Cyber Essentials certified and keep your data safe in Microsoft 365.  

At Calder IT we care about your data and want to help you keep it and your business safe.  

Get in touch with our expert team today to get your Cloud security to the next level and find out more about the Cyber Essentials Certification.  

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