Cybersecurity isn’t just another item on your checklist — it’s a core pillar of survival in today’s digital world. As more companies migrate to the cloud, understanding how to safeguard your digital assets becomes critical. One framework that helps businesses grasp their cloud security obligations is the Shared Responsibility Model, used by platforms like Microsoft 365.
Understanding the Shared Responsibility Model
Think of cloud security like managing an office building. The property manager handles the building’s structure and shared spaces, but individual tenants are responsible for securing their own offices. Similarly, the shared responsibility model divides cybersecurity tasks between Microsoft (as the cloud provider) and your organization.
This partnership is designed to provide robust protection — but only if both sides fulfill their roles.
What Microsoft Protects
Microsoft secures the cloud infrastructure, including:
- Physical data centers with state-of-the-art security
- Network architecture and platform-level security
- Regular updates and patches against emerging threats
- Data encryption at rest and in transit
- Compliance with global security standards and frequent audits
- Advanced threat detection and rapid incident response
What Your Business Must Protect
While Microsoft handles the foundation, your organization is responsible for securing what’s built on top. That means:
- Managing user access and authentication
- Setting strong password policies
- Configuring security settings to match your risk profile
- Monitoring data sharing and enforcing controls
- Regularly training employees on cybersecurity best practices
- Deciding when to deploy additional backup and recovery tools like CrashPlan for Microsoft 365
Getting Started: Strengthen Your Security Framework
Start by assessing your current security posture using Microsoft Secure Score. This will uncover critical vulnerabilities. Build a remediation plan with clear priorities and assign a dedicated security team to oversee the rollout.
Access Controls and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Strong access controls are your first line of defense. Begin by enabling Security Defaults in Entra ID (formerly Azure AD).
MFA Rollout Plan:
- Phase 1: Start with IT and admins to refine the process
- Phase 2: Roll out to department leads to build internal support
- Phase 3: Expand to general staff, then to external contractors
- Best Practice: Use authenticator apps (like Microsoft Authenticator or Duo) instead of SMS for better protection
For Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):
- Document roles and responsibilities
- Limit Global Admins to two or three trusted users
- Apply least privilege principles across all roles
Data Classification and Labeling
- Identify sensitive data like PII, financial records, IP, and client data
- Create sensitivity labels from Public to Highly Confidential
- Automate labeling to reduce human error
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
- Activate Microsoft 365’s built-in DLP policies
- Customize policies to monitor email, Teams, and SharePoint
- Educate users with clear violation notifications
Backup Best Practice: 3-2-1 Strategy
- Keep 3 copies of your data
- Store on 2 different media types
- Maintain 1 offsite copy This ensures rapid recovery during incidents or disasters.
Deploying Threat Protection
Defender Safe Links
- Scan URLs in real-time
- Remove the option to bypass warnings
- Protect users against delayed malicious threats
Safe Attachments
- Enable Dynamic Delivery to check attachments without delaying emails
- Extend protection to SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams
Anti-Phishing
- Set targeted protections for high-risk users like executives and finance staff
Monitoring and Incident Response
Create a structured security monitoring system:
- Set alert thresholds by severity
- Define escalation paths to the right teams
- Establish incident response playbooks
Maintain your defenses with weekly rotating tasks:
- Week 1: Review access controls
- Week 2: Evaluate and adjust policies
- Week 3: Check compliance against regulations
- Week 4: Analyze security metrics and performance
Continuous Employee Training
- New hire security onboarding
- Department-specific sessions tailored to unique risks
- Monthly phishing simulations to sharpen user awareness
Staying secure is not about avoiding every incident — it’s about being ready to detect, respond, and recover. Your cybersecurity strategy must evolve as threats change. Regular assessments, continuous improvements, and engaging every stakeholder are key to resilience.
Cybersecurity in the cloud is a shared responsibility — and when done right, it protects not just your data but your entire business.
