Enhancing Your Security Posture with Microsoft Secure Score
Microsoft Secure Score is a powerful tool designed to help businesses assess and improve their security across Microsoft 365 workloads. With over a million organisations worldwide using Microsoft software, having a good Microsoft Secure Score is quickly becoming a key metric for cybersecurity insurance providers to accurately assess risk levels.
We’re going to review what Microsoft Secure Score is, why it is essential, how to access it, and practical steps to enhance your score.
What is Microsoft Secure Score?
Microsoft Secure Score is a numerical measurement of an organisation’s security posture, with a higher score indicating more recommended security actions have been taken. It provides a comprehensive view of your security status across identity, devices, information, apps, and infrastructure.
By following the recommendations provided by Secure Score, organizations can significantly reduce their risk of cyber threats and enhance their overall security.
Why is Microsoft Secure Score Important?
The importance of Microsoft Secure Score lies in its ability to provide actionable insights and guidance to strengthen your organisation’s security. It helps you:
- Assess: Gain visibility into your current security posture and identify potential vulnerabilities.
- Improve: Receive prioritised recommendations to enhance your security measures.
- Benchmark: Compare your security status with industry standards and similar organisations.
- Report: Use historical data to track progress and report improvements to leadership teams.
By leveraging Microsoft Secure Score, organisations can ensure they are taking the necessary steps to protect their digital assets and maintain a strong security posture.
How to Access Microsoft Secure Score
Accessing Microsoft Secure Score is straightforward. It is available in the ‘compliance/reports’ section for Kinetics KARE Foundation clients. It can also be found in the Microsoft Defender portal.
What is a good Secure Score?
A good score for Microsoft Secure Score varies, depending on the specific organisation, its size, its industry, and the level of the security risk it faces. Typically, your organization should aim for 100%, and keep above 50% at the minimum.
How to Improve Your Microsoft Secure Score
Improving your Microsoft Secure Score involves implementing the recommended security actions provided in the Secure Score dashboard. Here are some practical steps to enhance your score:
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity through multiple methods. Even though technologies like VPNs can overcome geo-blocking, this is still an effective layer of protection.
- Limit user access: Only give users access to the resources, tools and data that they need. Restrict access to Admin accounts or “privileged” accounts. These have more access to sensitive data. Securing these Microsoft accounts using a least privileged access approach that minimizes who can access certain types of data is essential.
- Update Software and Systems: Regularly patch and update all software to mitigate vulnerabilities.
- Implement Conditional Access Policies: Use conditional access policies to control access based on specific conditions, such as user location or device compliance.
- Monitor and Respond to Threats: Utilise advanced threat protection tools to detect and respond to potential security incidents.
- Educate Employees: Conduct regular security awareness training to ensure employees are aware of best practices and potential threats.
By following these steps and continuously monitoring your Secure Score, you can significantly enhance your organisation’s security posture and protect against evolving cyber threats.
Refer – Microsoft Secure Score – Microsoft Defender XDR | Microsoft Learn