A lot of businesses ask the same question:

“Are we secure enough?”

The honest answer? It depends less on what you’ve bought… and more on how it’s configured.

Microsoft 365 is incredibly powerful. But licences alone don’t reduce risk. Configuration does.

So instead of talking about features, let’s talk about what good actually looks like for a growing business.

Not enterprise-level complexity. Not over-engineered policies. Just sensible, well-managed protection.

 

 

1️⃣ Identity Is Properly Protected

 

Every user has multi-factor authentication enforced, no exceptions.

Admin accounts have stronger controls than standard users.

Risky sign-ins are monitored and flagged.

Because today, your identity is your perimeter. If someone gets access to an account, they get access to your business.

 

 

2️⃣ Access Is Based on Risk — Not Hope

 

Good setups don’t rely on passwords alone.

Conditional Access policies are in place to control:

• Where users can sign in from
• What devices they can use
• What happens if something looks suspicious

Access should adapt to risk. Not just allow everything by default.

 

 

3️⃣ Devices Are Part of the Security Plan

 

If staff are working remotely (and most are), device security matters.

Good looks like:

• Company data only accessible from compliant devices
• Lost devices that can be remotely wiped
• Clear separation between business and personal data

It’s not about control. It’s about protecting company information wherever it travels.

 

 

 

4️⃣ Sharing Is Intentional

 

File sharing is one of the most overlooked risks.

Good looks like:

• Controlled external sharing
• Expiring links
• Visibility over who has access to what

If you can’t see where your data is being shared, you can’t manage the risk.

 

 

 

5️⃣ Security Is Reviewed — Not Set and Forgotten

 

This is where many businesses fall short.

Policies are configured once… and never revisited.

But businesses grow. Teams change. Threats evolve.

Good security is reviewed regularly.

Not because something has gone wrong. But because prevention is quieter than recovery.

 

 

The Bigger Picture

 

Microsoft 365 absolutely can provide strong, sensible protection for SMEs.

But security isn’t automatic.

It’s the difference between: “It works.” And “It’s resilient.”

If you’re unsure where your setup sits, start with one simple question:

When was the last time it was properly reviewed?