Office 365 Security for Albuquerque Businesses

Enable multi-factor authentication across your entire Microsoft 365 tenant, not just for administrators. Use the Microsoft Authenticator app or hardware tokens instead of SMS codes. This single step blocks over 99 percent of account compromise attacks and protects business email, SharePoint files, and Teams data from unauthorized access.

Configure conditional access policies to enforce security based on location, device health, and risk level. Block legacy authentication protocols like POP3 and IMAP that bypass modern security controls. For Albuquerque businesses with remote workers, set trusted office locations and require device compliance for external access.

Turn on audit logging and mailbox auditing for all users to track who accessed mailboxes, downloaded files, and modified permissions. In a security incident, these logs provide your investigation timeline. Export logs monthly and review admin activity weekly for unexpected permission changes or configuration modifications.

Apply least privilege with role-based access control. Assign Global Admin only when absolutely necessary. Use targeted roles like User Admin for helpdesk staff and Billing Admin for finance contacts. Require separate admin accounts protected with phishing-resistant MFA, never use Global Admin for daily email.

Enable Exchange Online Protection and Microsoft Defender for Office 365. Configure anti-phishing policies to detect impersonation and domain spoofing, quarantine suspicious attachments, and scan links at click time. Add a report-phishing button in Outlook so staff can alert you to threats immediately.

Secure SharePoint and OneDrive sharing by disabling anonymous links, setting expiration dates on external shares, and auditing folder permissions quarterly. Train staff to use password-protected links for confidential files and never share to personal email accounts. Oversharing causes most accidental data leaks.

Deploy mobile device management to enforce device encryption, PIN requirements, and remote wipe capability. If a device is lost or an employee leaves, remove company data without touching personal files. Essential for HIPAA compliance and any business handling client data.

Use Microsoft Secure Score for ongoing security assessment. It provides ranked recommendations by impact. Target a score above 70 percent and prioritize quick wins like disabling legacy protocols and enabling self-service password reset. Review monthly and document improvements for compliance audits.

If you need help implementing these controls or running a Microsoft 365 security audit, HelpTek provides managed security services for Albuquerque and Santa Fe small businesses with fixed-price assessments and ongoing monitoring.