Microsoft’s Secure Score provides CEOs with a quick understanding of how secure their organization is. It is a game changer that works directly to simplify the company’s security posture for non-technical CXO’s s and decision makers. Microsoft 365 Secure Score is a vital metric to measure your companies online security.

A Pharma Manufacturing Company based in Pune (India) wanted to make sure that their data and IP (Intellectual Property) was well protected. They wanted to understand what they could do further to ensure and measure their security against industry standards. Now, they have been able to use the Microsoft Secure Score System to regularly assess and track their security performance, helping them identify areas where they needed to improve.

With Microsoft introducing new features and security patches frequently there is an ever-increasing question regarding What is Microsoft Secure Score and How does it benefit your organization. In this blog we shall help you answer your doubts regarding Microsoft Secure Score which will help you better understand and improve your Microsoft Security.

What is Microsoft Secure Score?

Microsoft Secure Score is a metric used to assess an organization’s overall security posture. It can assist to discover areas of weakness and set priorities for security infrastructure improvements by routinely monitoring and evaluating various security controls. Microsoft Secure Score is an integral part of Microsoft 365 for measuring the security of your Microsoft 365 Subscriptions.

One of the learnings got from the case of the pharma company was how there were configuration oversights in their e-mail system and what features were not used.

In the process of improving their Microsoft Secure Score, they found that:

• Many of their employees were using weak passwords and they had out-of-date software on some of their systems.
• Their Security settings were misconfigured, and the security updates were missing.

By addressing these specific issues and implementing policies to enhance employee security awareness, they were able to boost their Microsoft Secure Score by 20 points, demonstrating a significant improvement in their overall security posture. The organization also reported a reduction in security incidents, which helped them gain client trust and satisfaction.

Let’s dive deep and explore 5 compelling reasons why increasing your Microsoft Secure Score can improve your organization’s reliability and keep your data safe.

1. Microsoft 365 Secure Score aids in strengthening an organization’s security posture.

A strong security posture ensures the protection of sensitive information and assets, minimizing the risk of data breaches and financial loss for the organization. By increasing your Microsoft 365 Secure Score, you are taking steps to improve your organization’s overall security posture. This includes identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities, implementing security best practices, and staying up to date with latest security trends.

2. Enabling organizations to respond to security vulnerabilities while meeting regulatory requirements.

Many organizations are required to comply with various regulations and industry standards, such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and SOC.  Enhanced compliance ensures a strong foundation for ethical and lawful operations, protecting both the organization and its stakeholders. You can make sure that your business is complying with these regulations and avoiding steep fines by raising your Microsoft 365 Secure Score.

3. Equipping organizations with the security measures necessary to earn and maintain customer trust.

When customers know that their personal information is being protected, they are more likely to trust your organization and continue doing business with you. A high Microsoft 365 Secure Score can help protect your organization’s reputation by demonstrating to customers, partners, and other stakeholders that you take security seriously. This can help to build trust and confidence in your organization.

4. Reduces overall costs by preventing potential risks and minimizing breaches

Lower costs mean more room for investment and expansion. Implementing security best practices and identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities can help to reduce the overall cost of security by preventing breaches and minimizing the impact of any breaches that do occur.

5. Promoting long-term business continuity by consistently evaluating and upgrading security measures.

Organizations that can quickly adapt and respond to disruptions are better positioned to maintain their competitive edge and safeguard their bottom line in today’s fast-paced business environment. An improved Microsoft Secure Score can help ensure that your organization can continue to operate in the event of a security incident. This includes having a solid incident response plan in place, as well as regular backups and disaster recovery procedures.

In conclusion,

Any firm looking to strengthen its Microsoft 365 Security posture and defend against cyber threats should use a Microsoft Secure Score as a key tool. The higher the Microsoft Secure Score, the better protected you are. It can improve your ability to protect sensitive data, increase compliance, reduce the risk of cyber-attacks, and ultimately lead to not only a secure and trustworthy organization but also help in making long term financial savings. By focusing on the five key areas discussed in this blog, you can take steps to improve your  Microsoft Secure Score and enhance the overall reliability of your organization.

For further assistance regarding Microsoft Secure Score and topics related to:

How is Microsoft 365 Secure Score calculated?

How do I improve my Microsoft Secure Score?

What is a good Microsoft Secure Score?

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