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Hey Community,

I was working on a Project and there was this requirement to secure the M365 Tenant, as the base was already setup I was involved in implementing core M365 Security Policies and leveraging Zero Trust Model. 

I have listed high level bullet points and each section will help to carry out the process of securing the M365 Tenant.

Securing Microsoft 365 with Azure Entra ID: Best Practices

Microsoft 365 (M365) is a critical platform for businesses, providing cloud-based collaboration, email, and security tools. However, securing M365 requires a proactive approach, leveraging Azure Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) to enforce identity protection and access controls. This guide covers best practices for securing Microsoft 365 using Azure Entra ID.

1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is the most effective way to protect against unauthorized access.

Steps to Enable MFA:

  1. Sign in to the Microsoft Entra Admin Center.

  2. Navigate to Protection > Authentication Methods > Policies.

  3. Enable MFA for all users or create Conditional Access policies to enforce MFA selectively.

  4. Educate users on using the Microsoft Authenticator app for improved security.

2. Implement Conditional Access Policies

Conditional Access policies allow you to enforce rules based on user identity, location, device, and risk level.

Recommended Policies:

  • Block legacy authentication to prevent security vulnerabilities.

  • Require MFA for all external and high-risk sign-ins.

  • Enforce device compliance before granting access to corporate resources.

  • Restrict access by location, allowing only trusted network connections.

3. Enable Identity Protection and Risk-Based Sign-ins

Azure Entra ID Identity Protection helps detect and mitigate identity risks.

How to Configure Identity Protection:

  1. Go to Entra Admin Center > Identity Protection.

  2. Configure risk detection policies for:

    • User risk policies (e.g., block access for high-risk users).

    • Sign-in risk policies (e.g., require MFA for risky sign-ins).

  3. Monitor the Identity Protection dashboard for alerts and take action when needed.

4. Use Privileged Identity Management (PIM)

Privileged Identity Management (PIM) allows organizations to grant just-in-time access for admins, reducing the attack surface.

Steps to Enable PIM:

  1. In the Microsoft Entra Admin Center, navigate to Identity Governance > Privileged Identity Management.

  2. Enable time-based role activation for administrators.

  3. Require justification and approval before granting elevated access.

  4. Set up alerts to detect excessive privilege usage.

5. Enforce Passwordless Authentication

Passwords are a common attack vector. Enabling passwordless authentication improves security and user experience.

Supported Methods:

  • Windows Hello for Business (for domain-joined devices).

  • FIDO2 Security Keys (for phishing-resistant authentication).

  • Microsoft Authenticator App (for phone-based sign-ins).

6. Restrict External Collaboration

Guest access in Microsoft 365 should be managed carefully to avoid data leaks.

Best Practices for External Collaboration:

  • Use Azure AD B2B to securely invite external users.

  • Configure guest access policies to limit sharing.

  • Enable access reviews to periodically validate guest users.

7. Monitor and Audit User Activity

Security logs and monitoring tools help detect suspicious activities.

Recommended Monitoring Tools:

  • Microsoft 365 Defender for advanced threat protection.

  • Azure AD Sign-in Logs to track authentication attempts.

  • Audit Logs in M365 Security & Compliance Center for changes to security settings.

Conclusion

By implementing these best practices, your organizations can significantly strengthen Microsoft 365 security. Utilizing Azure Entra ID's security features such as MFA, Conditional Access, PIM, and identity protection ensures that only authorized users can access critical resources while reducing the risk of cyber threats.

Hope this helps and it is useful as a starter, more detailed information can be found on the Microsoft Security Page.

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