Top tips for a safe and secure Microsoft Teams experience

Posted on Monday July 08, 2024

Microsoft Teams is a popular business collaboration platform that has also drawn the unwanted attention of cybercriminals. If these malicious actors are successful, they can gain access to sensitive company information and cause major disruptions in business operations. It is therefore essential for organizations to take necessary precautions to ensure a safe and secure Microsoft Teams experience for their employees. Here are some top tips to help you secure your Microsoft Teams platform.

Manage applications

Microsoft 365 can integrate with various third-party applications, but this can also leave your platform vulnerable to malicious apps. For instance, if an employee downloads an unsecured file sharing app, it can potentially compromise your entire Microsoft Teams environment.

To avoid this, make sure to review and approve all third-party apps before they can be used within the platform. Check each of their permissions such as data access and user-level permissions. This will help prevent any rogue or malicious apps from being installed on your Microsoft Teams platform. Additionally, you should regularly audit and remove any unused or unnecessary applications to minimize potential security risks.

Create security groups

A nifty feature on Teams is the ability to create security groups. This allows you to assign specific access levels and permissions to different teams or individuals, giving you greater control over your platform's security. By creating security groups for different departments, teams, and individuals, you can ensure that everyone only has access to what they need to do their job and nothing more.

Set access controls

Implementing access controls is a fundamental step in securing Microsoft Teams. Define clear policies for who can access certain channels, files, and features. Use Azure Active Directory to set conditional access policies, which can restrict access based on factors such as location, device compliance, and user risk level.

Enable Microsoft 365 security features

Microsoft Teams is part of a wider ecosystem of Microsoft 365 applications and services, giving you access to powerful security features. For example, Microsoft Defender can automatically scan files and links shared within Teams for potential security risks, while data loss prevention can prevent sensitive information from being shared outside of the organization. Additionally, multifactor authentication can increase the security of user accounts by requiring another form of verification alongside passwords to log in.

Monitor user activity

Microsoft's built-in auditing and reporting tools can provide valuable insights into user activity within Microsoft Teams. Regularly review these reports to identify any suspicious behavior or potential security breaches. Some activities to watch out for include excessive file sharing with external users, attempts to escalate access privileges, and unexpected logins from unfamiliar locations. If these activities are detected, take immediate action to investigate the potential breach.

Educate employees

Educating employees on secure practices when using Microsoft Teams is crucial to maintaining a safe and secure platform. This could include training on setting up strong passwords, recognizing phishing attempts, and avoiding the use of unapproved third-party applications on Teams. Employees should also be aware of company policies regarding the sharing of sensitive information and encouraged to report any suspicious activity they encounter. Regular training and reminders can help reinforce these practices and keep your Teams platform secure.

Securing Microsoft Teams is vital for seamless communication and collaboration. For more detailed guidance and expert support, don't hesitate to contact our team of specialists. We can help you get the most out of your Microsoft services while keeping your organization safe from potential cyberthreats.