Microsoft Security Score: What is it and How Can You Improve it?
In cybersecurity, visibility into what’s working versus potential gaps is powerful. With tools like Microsoft Secure Score, your team can gain complete insight into how your security strategy is performing. If you use Microsoft tools in your environment, then your security score is already being tracked.
But what is a Microsoft Security Score, and why should your business care about improving it? In this blog, we will cover how the tool creates a score, how to interpret it, and what steps you can take to improve your score without sacrificing the user experience.
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We can assist with everything from implementation to security and productivity for all your Microsoft tools. Access customized solutions that meet your business’s needs and enhance your security posture.
What is Microsoft Secure Score?
Microsoft Secure Score is a tool that helps organizations evaluate and enhance their security posture within the Microsoft ecosystem. It provides real-time measurements of your security strategy’s performance, offers actionable recommendations for specific improvement areas, and gives practical guidance to ensure you can quickly increase your score.
What is included in a cybersecurity report?
Your score is based on data that Microsoft gathers from your existing Microsoft environment. It then analyzes the security configuration, user behavior, and device management settings, comparing all this data to industry standards and best practices to generate your score.
A strong security posture will prepare your business for:
- Cyber attacks
- Adaptability to future threats
- Effective incident response and recovery
- Cost savings in data breaches
As you incorporate the recommended actions into your security strategy, your score will update in real time. It’s important to note that you will receive two distinct scores. The first is a baseline score that reflects your current security posture. The second score indicates your potential score should you implement all of their recommended actions.
Each recommendation falls into one of the following categories:
- Identity: access controls and account security.
- Devices: endpoint security, vulnerability management.
- Apps: email filtering, data loss policies, cloud configurations.
This helps you and your team concentrate on specific areas and ensures a comprehensive approach to enhancing your security posture. While some actions will earn you full points, others will only yield partial points. It all depends on the severity of the issues and their impact on your overall security.
Keep in mind that not every security recommendation will fit your business needs or user experience. It’s essential to understand when a security measure might harm user experience and consider alternative options.
How to improve your security posture
Improving your security posture is an ongoing process that requires attention to detail and a proactive approach to security management.
Follow these 4 essential steps to improve your secure score:
- Review your current security dashboard to identify areas for improvement based on your score.
- Incorporate Microsoft’s recommended actions into your security strategy, and adjust it to meet your needs.
- Conduct regular risk assessments to identify areas needing more extensive security and improve your overall security efforts.
- Focus on cloud security to ensure that every cloud configuration in your infrastructure is secure and compliant with the most recent set of security standards.
A strong security posture provides a foundation for safeguarding your sensitive data and ensuring cyber resilience. However, this is only beneficial if you understand how to interpret your security score, allowing you to gauge your position relative to competitors in your industry.
How to interpret your Microsoft Secure Score:
30% – A score of 30% or lower means that your security strategy could be improved.
Applied Tech tip: Concentrate on implementing and securing the fundamental features of identity management, access controls, device security, and data protection.
50% – This is a great start. However, it could indicate that you need to double-check all your security measures and ensure that each one follows its set of best practices.
Applied Tech tip: Prioritize correcting the recommended actions offered by Microsoft in your Secure Score portal.
65% – This score indicates that all security features are likely active and that your business effectively protects your data.
Applied Tech tip: Ensure all multi-factor authentication efforts are updated and secure, address any flagged security risks, and tighten up your configurations for optimal security.
80% – This should be the goal for all businesses; it demonstrates that your security measures are active and optimized.
Applied Tech tip: Implement and secure all of your cloud services within your Microsoft environment.
Above 80% – If you aim for a score above 80%, then you are going above and beyond.
Applied Tech tip: Continue your security efforts and regularly check your secure score dashboard to ensure your score doesn’t falter. Don’t forget to keep the user experience in mind for the best possible results.
A Microsoft Partner You Can Trust
We can assist with everything from implementation to security and productivity for all your Microsoft tools. Access customized solutions that meet your business’s needs and enhance your security posture.
Maintain a strong security posture with the help of experts.
Understanding and improving your Microsoft Secure Score is crucial to creating a more resilient security ecosystem across your organization. The ability to precisely identify vulnerabilities and know how to solve them will provide the insight your team needs to stay ahead of evolving cyberthreats.
However, we understand that navigating the recommendations and optimizing your Microsoft systems can be challenging. As a trusted Microsoft services partner, our team of experienced IT and cybersecurity professionals can help with anything from implementation to long-term security strategies.
Whether you need help refining your configurations or strategizing a plan for sustainable improvement, our team can help you get the most out of your Microsoft tools.
Contact us today to learn how we can help improve your security posture.
About Applied Tech
Applied Tech is a leading IT and cybersecurity services provider dedicated to helping businesses protect their digital assets. Our proactive and strategic services include cloud management, security, productivity, and IT growth strategy. With a team of experienced professionals, we provide unique solutions tailored to your IT needs.
Protect your business with Applied Tech’s fully managed IT services, co-managed support, and security assistance. With IT services focused on your business goals, keep your team productive and your data secure.
