Have you heard of the Microsoft Secure Score? If not, it’s time to learn all about this analytical tool, which is helping countless SMEs to improve their cybersecurity posture in a world where digital threats are continuously evolving.
In the face of increasingly sophisticated attacks, more and more companies are now implementing strategies to manage risk, rather than simply taking preventative measures. This involves examining a business’s overall security strategy and combining a wide range of digital tools and apps that promote real-time protection.
Microsoft Secure Score encourages this approach, empowering business owners to gauge their existing security stance and to discover ways to make immediate, results-driven changes.
Simply put, the Microsoft Secure Score is designed to measure the security posture of a business. It is calculated based on factors such as user behaviour and system configurations, along with a variety of other security-related measurements.
While a score doesn’t represent the likelihood of a data breach or software-related system failure, it does provide a clear indication of how secure (or not) a business’s Microsoft environment is, while offering actionable advice to help an organisation offset the risk of future breaches.
When it comes to secure scores, the higher the better.
A high Microsoft Secure Score indicates that an organisation’s security framework is effective and provides adequate protection. A low score, on the other hand, signifies that a more robust approach towards safeguarding systems and networks is urgently required.
Companies seeking an impressively high score will ideally need to aim for upwards of 80%. While a score of between 40-80% is ranked as standard at the lower end and favourable at the higher end, anything below 40% should raise serious red flags.
Business owners can access their score through the Microsoft Defender portal. It is available under the “Exposure Management” tab. However, you must first ensure you’ve been allocated the correct permissions.
Aside from the secure score, there are many other valuable assets visible within the Defender portal, including current security metrics and score comparisons with other businesses.
The latter is a particularly useful feature, giving industry perspective and showcasing where an SME sits within their sector in the context of security prowess.
At a glance, the Microsoft Secure Score helps SMEs to:
However, on closer inspection, there are even more advantages associated with Secure Score that benefit every facet of a company.
The recommendations provided in tandem with an organisation’s secure score are tailored to the specific needs and risk profile of the business. These may include enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA), securing endpoints, and applying more stringent security protocols to the broader cloud environment, all of which lower exposure to dangerous attacks.
Businesses that fully utilise the security and compliance features they’ve already bought increase their return on investment.
Given the rise in cyberattacks all around the globe, it’s par for the course for suppliers, stakeholders and other potential business associates to request a company’s Secure Score. If it can be provided, it proves the business is taking cybersecurity seriously. If it’s a high score, it shows that the organisation’s security strategy is working well.
Secure Score assists organisations with adherence to vital regulatory guidelines by measuring their current performance against important frameworks like NIS2 and GDPR and identifying areas where baseline security protocols should be applied.
Microsoft Secure Score can be an extremely beneficial tool for businesses seeking to improve their security posture. However, to get the most out of the features accessible through this dashboard, it’s advisable to seek the help of an expert managed IT service provider.
At Arbelos, our team of skilled MSPs are on hand to assist.
Aside from helping you to access your score, we will also utilise the data and metrics provided by Secure Score to reinforce your overall approach to cybersecurity.
What’s more, through our comprehensive IT Security and Compliance services, your business will benefit from a holistic approach to cybersecurity, thanks to solutions such as network infrastructure security, unified endpoint management, and unified secure cloud.
If you’re ready to harness the potential of Microsoft Secure Score for your business, it’s time to get in touch with our team. Contact us today for your free cybersecurity and compliance audit.
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