Microsoft Secure Score is a security analytics tool within Microsoft Defender for Office 365 that helps assess and improve an organization’s security posture. Based on your current security configuration, it provides a centralized view and advises actionable steps based on Microsoft best practices. A higher score indicates greater alignment with Microsoft’s recommended security practices, while a lower score suggests potential gaps in configuration.
This article focuses on the detailing you can do to efficiently increase Secure Score in a real-world setting. These recommendations are tailored for enterprise environments and go beyond generic best practices.
The Microsoft 365 Defender portal surfaces Secure Score recommendations categorized by impact and implementation difficulty. Rather than attempting to increase your score through easy but low-impact changes, it is more effective to start with high-impact recommendations.
These recommendations can be exported to CSV or accessed via the Microsoft Graph API. Each item includes:
An overview of an organization's current Microsoft Secure Score, including security metrics, score breakdown, and categorized recommendations for improving security configuration.
Focus on these actions first to maximize your Microsoft Secure Score impact:
MFA is one of the strongest protections against credential-based attacks. According to Microsoft, accounts without MFA are more than 99% likely to be compromised in an attack scenario.
Use Conditional Access instead of per-user MFA to enforce policies dynamically based on user, device, location, and risk level. Target high-risk users or roles first and then expand enforcement gradually. Monitor sign-in logs for disruptions.
Long-standing privileged access is a major threat. PIM allows you to:
In addition to reducing your Secure Score risk level, PIM ensures that least privilege is enforced consistently.
To enable PIM:
Note: Users need P2 licensing for PIM.
For large organizations, automate PIM assignments using the Microsoft Graph Identity Governance APIs.
Azure AD Identity Protection uses machine learning to detect risky users and risky sign-in behavior.
High-Risk Indicators Include:
Automated Mitigation Options:
Ensure you monitor the “Risky Users” and “Risky Sign-ins” reports in the Azure portal and integrate alerts into your SIEM.
Some features mentioned in this article require premium Microsoft licenses:
Be sure to verify license availability before implementing advanced features.
Security baselines are recommended configurations aligned with Microsoft security standards. These include:
Key Configuration: Safe Attachments
Apply these policies via Microsoft 365 Security & Compliance Center or via PowerShell for automation. For Intune-managed devices, enforce these baselines using device configuration profiles.
Misconfigured external sharing can lead to unintentional data exposure. Secure Score recommends tightening guest access in SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams.
Actions:
Device Control via Conditional Access
Block access from unmanaged or non-compliant devices. For BYOD environments, consider app protection policies or require app-based access via Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
Automating Secure Score insights allows you to build dashboards, track progress over time, and trigger alerts on regressions.
Dashboard view of Microsoft Secure Score showing current score, improvement actions, and categorized breakdown across identity, devices, and apps.
Integrate Graph Security API with your SOAR platform to create auto-remediation workflows.
Expired or orphaned guest accounts increase your attack surface. These accounts often bypass access reviews or MFA settings.
Recommendations:
Audit and clean these accounts regularly. Use PowerShell or Graph API to automate this process.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (formerly MCAS) enhances visibility and control over SaaS app usage. It integrates with Microsoft 365 to provide session-level control, anomaly detection, and real-time monitoring.
Actions to Improve Secure Score:
Example: Block Downloads on Unmanaged Devices
This prevents data exfiltration even when credentials are valid, but access happens from a risky endpoint.
Gal is the Cofounder & CPO of Reco. Gal is a former Lieutenant Colonel in the Israeli Prime Minister's Office. He is a tech enthusiast, with a background of Security Researcher and Hacker. Gal has led teams in multiple cybersecurity areas with an expertise in the human element.
Add more controls, configurations, and telemetry to reduce attack surface and speed up responses for security-mature organizations as they go beyond checklists.
The steps mentioned above will significantly improve an organization's Microsoft Secure Score while actual defenses are being enhanced. Most items will close technical gaps while fulfilling compliance and audit needs. Emphasize automation, continuous monitoring, and least privileged service to keep your Microsoft 365 environment secure.
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