Why Your Business Needs a Certified Microsoft 365 Security Administrator

What is a Microsoft 365 Security Administrator?

A Microsoft 365 Security Administrator is certified to manage your 365 cybersecurity needs. They will be your backbone when it comes to keeping your cloud-based Microsoft 365 accounts secure from external and internal threats.

For instance, a trained administrator will implement, manage, and monitor security and compliance solutions for dedicated and hybrid environments. They’ll be trained to respond to threats, perform investigations, and enforce data governance policies.

Why you need a Microsoft 365 Security Administrator

This cloud-based Microsoft software suite is popular because it makes collaboration easy across in-house and remote teams. However, this also makes 365 accounts a top target for hackers.

Here are 4 reasons you need a Microsoft 365 Security Administrator on your team:

1. Your accounts are a target for hackers

Like any software, using Microsoft 365 comes with inherent security risks. Software by itself is never completely secure. Security is a shared responsibility between the software developer and the end user. For example, it’s the software developer’s responsibility to release patches and fixes for bugs, while it’s the end user’s responsibility to control access and install released updates and patches.

Part of managing your 365 account security requires having a strong, written IT security policy that is also strictly enforced. Your Security Administrator can help you create your policy so that it aligns with your business objectives and assigned roles throughout the company.

For example, you might need to create a policy banning employees from accessing their 365 accounts from personal devices. This can be written into your policy and enforced with verification software and consequences for those who work around the policy.

2. A data breach can be costly

The top three cybersecurity risks involved with using Microsoft 365 include data leaks, privilege abuse, and credential theft. Since this software suite is designed for sharing data, cybercriminals know 365 accounts are full of sensitive data and that’s why accounts are targeted.

Here are some alarming security statistics involving Microsoft 365:

• 93% of companies using Microsoft 365 reported a negative impact after an email data breach.
• Companies that use 365 experience more data breaches than companies that don’t use 365.
• Email data breaches result in some of the worst negative impacts on companies.

Unfortunately, any unauthorized access to your account can result in a data breach that can cost your business tens of thousands of dollars in fines.

You can’t avoid data breaches with just a piece of security software – prevention requires human action. That’s why you need a Microsoft 365 Security Administrator. You need an expert who understands solutions who can come in and lay the foundation for preventing data loss at the root.

3. DIY security training isn’t enough

There are plenty of people in the world who can learn new skills and software just by watching YouTube videos and taking a few courses here and there. That’s great for creative projects, but it’s a bad idea when it comes to cybersecurity.

Effective cybersecurity requires specific training in whatever realm you’re trying to protect. Although there is a general foundation shared by many professionals, there are a variety of roles and responsibilities under the umbrella of cybersecurity. It takes specific skill and knowledge to keep Microsoft 365 accounts secure.

Even some of the most well-meaning cybersecurity professionals may not understand the specifics of how to secure a cloud-based 365 suite. They may not know all of the vulnerabilities and potentials for user error specific to the software.

If you’ve hired someone to manage your IT security, including for Microsoft 365, but they aren’t certified, consider having them complete our Security Administrator training course to ensure they have all of the specific knowledge required to keep 365 secure.

4. User error causes most cyberattacks

If you think cybercriminals spend their time trying to crack passwords, think again. That’s only a small part of what they do. Most cyberattacks, including the resulting data breaches, are caused by phishing attacks and compromised passwords.

You’d be surprised to learn how many people fall for phishing schemes. Sometimes, the emails seem very real and it’s hard for people to discern fake emails. Unfortunately, once a user’s login credentials fall into the wrong hands, the entire account becomes compromised.

At that point, all your sensitive data, including company and client data, becomes available to the unauthorized user who will then download the data and either use it themselves or sell it on the dark web.

Having a Microsoft 365 Security Administrator on your team will help you combat the problems associated with user error that cause most cyberattacks. They’ll not only be able to secure your account from all angles, but they’ll also be able to train your team members so that they know what to watch out for in terms of phishing attempts.

Your Security Administrator will also train your team on best practices. For example, they’ll explain why it’s never a good idea to log into their 365 account while using an unsecured, public Wi-Fi network.

Get your head of IT security certified with our course

If you’re ready to have your head of IT security take the lead with securing your Microsoft 365 account, get them certified as a Security Administrator with our online course.

We offer a professional Microsoft 365 Security Administrator course online for anyone with an existing background in cybersecurity management or data governance. Your IT pro will learn from an experienced instructor who will get them ready for the final exam, which will provide them with the appropriate certifications when passed.

Don’t wait any longer. Get a Security Administrator and start protecting your Microsoft 365 account from cyberattacks and data breaches.