10 Mistakes that A Microsoft 365 Admin Must NEVER Make!

Key insights

5 Key Insights into Microsoft 365 Administration Mistakes to Avoid

• Regular Access Reviews are crucial for maintaining tight security, ensuring only authorized personnel access sensitive information.


• Modern Authentication improves security but demands compatibility checks for applications and services to prevent login issues.


• Entra ID Security Defaults offer foundational security easily, including essential configurations like multi-factor authentication.


• Limiting Global Admins and managing Guest Account Access are vital practices to mitigate unnecessary security risks.


• Using RBAC and Protecting File Sharing operations effectively helps in avoiding unauthorized access and data leaks.

Handling Microsoft 365 with care involves regular reviews and updates to access permissions, authentication methods, and security settings. Admins must be diligent in their approach to safeguarding their organization's digital environment from various security threats. Making sure that the administration of Microsoft 365 is done properly not only enhances security but also augments the overall operational efficiency of the business.

Microsoft 365 Administration

Microsoft 365 Administration is packed with features designed to help businesses secure their environments, manage user permissions, and ensure seamless collaboration among team members. Key aspects include access management through regular reviews, adopting modern authentication to move away from traditional password-based security, setting up defaults for identity protection and guest access, and ensuring the use of role-based access control (RBAC) for precise permission granting.

Additionally, creating emergency access accounts and controlling file sharing settings are vital to prevent unauthorized access and secure sensitive information. The complex yet rewarding task of being a Microsoft 365 admin involves staying informed about the latest security measures, understanding the platform's robust tools available for managing and securing the digital workspace, and applying best practices diligently. By avoiding common mistakes and continuously refining their approach, admins play an essential role in fostering a secure, productive office environment.

Key Topics Covered:

• Access Reviews (An Absolute Must) - Regularly review access to ensure only the right people have access to sensitive information, reducing the risk of data breaches.
• Modern Authentication Nightmares - Ensure all applications and services are compatible with modern authentication methods to avoid complexities.
• Deploying Entra ID Security Defaults - Enable Security Defaults in Azure AD settings for a basic level of security that's often sufficient for small to medium-sized organizations.
• Pin Down your Guest Account Defaults - Regularly review and adjust the permissions of guest accounts to ensure they cannot access more data than necessary.
• Global Admin No No’s - Limit the number of global admins and use role-based access control for granular permissions.
• File Sharing Nightmares - Implement strict sharing policies and use sensitivity labels for automatic protection.
• Creating a Break Glass Admin Account - Create a highly secure admin account to be used in emergencies only.
• Authentication Method Errors - Ensure fallback authentication methods are in place and regularly audit authentication methods.
• Entra Identity Protection - Enable in Azure AD and configure risk policies for AI-driven threat detection.
• Using RBAC Wisely - Implement least privilege access and regularly review roles and permissions.

For each of these topics, Microsoft provides extensive documentation and best practices guides. It's recommended to regularly consult these resources and stay updated on the latest security measures and administrative tools available within the Microsoft 365 and Azure ecosystems.