Microsoft 365: The Importance of Structure for Security

Microsoft 365 has all the tools you need for effective collaboration and productivity. However, if your policies, roles, and ownership models are misaligned, security breaks anyway. Structure isn’t optional. It’s the foundation.

Why Tools Fail Without Structure

In our experience, we’ve seen numerous issues arise from a lack of proper structure:

• Sensitivity labels applied to public Teams

• Intune baselines applied to the wrong groups

• Conditional Access exclusions that no one remembers creating

• Data retention policies ignored due to lack of ownership

  
  

It’s not that the software doesn’t work; it’s that the structure is missing. Proper alignment of roles, policies, and ownership is crucial for a seamless experience.

What Good Structure Looks Like

A well-defined structure is essential for maximising the potential of Microsoft 365. Good structure includes several key components:

• Role-based access control: Clearly delineate who has access to what.

• Policy targeting based on personas: Tailor your security policies to specific user groups.

• Data ownership by business unit: Assign clear ownership to ensure accountability.

• Automation tied to lifecycle: Streamline processes beyond just onboarding.

  
  

Most importantly, you need a governance model that reflects reality. This ensures that decisions are made based on actual business needs and not just theoretical frameworks.

Without Structure, Complexity Grows

When structure decays, complexity increases. Unreviewed roles, uncontrolled devices, and stale mailboxes become common issues. These are all symptoms of a failing system. Without proper oversight, chaos ensues.

The Importance of Regular Audits

Regular audits are essential in maintaining your Microsoft 365 structure. They help identify potential weak points and areas for improvement. By conducting frequent reviews, organizations can ensure that their policies and roles align correctly with their operational needs.

Training and Awareness

Training is also a critical component. Ensuring that employees are aware of the structure and the importance of adhering to it reduces risks. Regular training sessions can help keep everyone informed about the best practices and procedures.

We Help Organizations Fix the Structure Behind the Systems

At Cornerstone Cyber, we understand the complexities that come with Microsoft 365. We offer tailored solutions to help organisations realign their structure and policies.

Our *Health Check Program starts with visibility and ends with clarity

The Microsoft 365 Optimisation Health Check benchmarks your overall Microsoft 365 configuration against Microsoft Secure Score and Zero Trust principles. It surfaces configuration drift, license misalignment, and operational risks across identity, device, data, and compliance services.

Gain a Holistic Understanding of Your Microsoft 365 Security Posture

Understanding your Microsoft 365 security posture is crucial. A thorough evaluation will help identify weaknesses and areas that need immediate attention. You can gain invaluable insights by using our services.

For a detailed understanding, check out our Health Check Program. We help organisations navigate the complexities of Microsoft 365.

By prioritising structure, organisations can significantly enhance their security posture. Don’t let misalignment of roles and policies jeopardise your data integrity.