Since the start of the digital revolution, many businesses have adopted cloud-based solutions like Microsoft 365 to streamline operations. This transformation also heightened the importance cybersecurity, and insurance companies are starting to catch up to the trend. Some firms now request security metrics from clients, like Microsoft 365 Secure Score, to better assess risk. If you haven’t explored this tool yet, now is the best time to understand its significance.
What is the Microsoft 365 Secure Score
Microsoft 365 Secure Score is an analytics tool created to measure the security posture across your organisations Microsoft 365 apps and services. Secure Score analyses various configurations, user behaviours, and administrative practices to produce a score that represents how well your business’s security aligns with recommended best practices. When a business follows the actionable recommendations provided by Secure Score, it can increase its score and strengthen its security stance.
Your Secure Score changes depending on changes made to your security settings, which offers real-time insights into your business’ level of protection. For instance, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) or limiting external sharing can instantly impact your Secure Score positively.
Why Insurance Companies Care About Your Secure Score
In this age of technological advancement, data breaches aren’t just disruptive but also financially devastating. Insurance providers are now more selective about whom they choose to insure and at what cost. As your Secure Score acts as an indicator of your organisation’s ability to prevent security incidents, getting a high score suggests your business has taken proactive steps to improve its cybersecurity defences.
Insurance companies utilise the Secure Score metric to assess risks associated with insuring your organisation, and a high Secure Score demonstrates the following:
- Commitment to Cybersecurity – Businesses with strong security practices are viewed as less risky by insurers.
- Compliance Readiness – Organisations with good security metrics often align well with regulatory requirements.
- Operational Vigilance – A regularly updated Secure Score shows that your organisation actively manages and prioritises security.
A good Secure Score means more favourable insurance terms like lower premiums or broader coverage. On the other hand, a low score can lead to insurers imposing higher rates or restricted coverage as your organisation can be viewed as more vulnerable to attacks.
How to Improve Your Microsoft 365 Secure Score
Improving your business’ Secure Score isn’t just about meeting insurance requirements. It’s about safeguarding your business from real threats. Here are some practice steps to help improve your score:
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring users to verify their identity through a second method like a code sent to a mobile device. Implementing MFA for all users can greatly enhance your Secure Score.
- Monitor and Control Access – Restricting the people who can access sensitive information and implementing conditional access policies can reduce risks associated with handling sensitive information. This includes setting up automated responses for suspicious logins.
- Secure Data Sharing – Tightening policies on how files and data are shared both internally and externally is crucial. Configuring settings to limit sharing and making sure only necessary permissions are granted can bolster security.
- Regular Review and Apply Updates – Keeping your entire Microsoft 365 environment updated helps mitigate vulnerabilities. Always make sure that updates and patches are applied as soon as they are available to prevent exploits.
- Conduct Security Training – User education plays an important role. Training employees on the importance of good security practices is just as important as implementing technical safeguards.
Benefits Beyond Insurance
Even if your insurance company isn’t currently asking for your Secure Score, improving it significantly benefits your organisation. Having a high Secure Score means that your business is adequately equipped to handle data breaches. This substantially reduces potential downtime and financial impact.
At Qamba, we understand that navigating the intricacies of Microsoft 365’s security settings can be overwhelming, especially if your organisation doesn’t have its own dedicated IT team. We specialise in helping businesses like yours to understand and improve your Microsoft 365 Secure Score. Our team will guide you through implementing security best practices that don’t just boost your score but also enhance your overall cybersecurity framework.
