When transitioning over to Microsoft 365 (or Office 365), many organizations consider partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP), but often choose not to. If your company is just looking to use the basics, that may seem like a reasonable conclusion, but remember: You just made an investment into a service that provides a ton of value, and a Microsoft Managed Service Provider will help your organization benefit from deeper use and adoption. But, basics or not, new technology means the need for increased IT security. So, the burning question is: Can you really afford not to partner with a MSP?
4 Reasons to Use a MSP for Securing Microsoft 365
IT security and compliance is increasingly being recognized as a priority, so your organization needs to be taking advantage of all the existing security features included with any and all licenses. By partnering with a Managed Service Provider to implement security features, you get access to experts who are familiar with Microsoft’s current security capabilities, new features coming out, and how to stay compliant with industry requirements. An MSP can help:
1. Fully Utilize Current Office 365/Microsoft 365 Capabilities
Even the base Microsoft 365 licenses include features that can minimize or reduce cybersecurity threats. For example, are your password requirements set up? Is email logging enabled and email forwarding disabled? If you’re not taking advantage of these security measures, you should be. Some are obvious, but others not so much. A Microsoft MSP will review security features with you and make sure the ones you need are implemented correctly.
2. Ensure the Correct License is Being Used
When looking to purchase Office 365 or Microsoft 365, there are many different licensing options to consider — too many in fact. By working with a trusted MSP provider, you’ll get guidance to help determine your organization’s specific licensing needs. Better yet, as your needs change, your MSP can continue to advise you on which licenses will meet your needs as you scale. Plus, if your MSP is also a Microsoft Cloud Service Provider (CSP), they can also manage your licenses for you. Below is a short list of some of the included and add-on security features offered with the different licenses:
- Advanced Threat Protection
- Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS)
- Azure Information Protection
- Identity and Threat Protection
- Information Protection & Compliance
There are many different security add-ons available, but choosing the best ones will depend on what your industry compliance needs are.
3. Implement Advanced Security Features
If you relied on your internal IT team to move your organization to the cloud, chances are that additional knowledge is needed to effectively implement the majority of Microsoft’s advanced security features and capabilities. Make sure to choose a seasoned MSP with decades of experience working across various industries, so they’ll be able to give proper guidance on how to best implement IT services, and more importantly, ensure you get the IT security protections required to stay compliant.
4. Monitor for Threats and Provide Continued 24×7 Support
Once security features are implemented, there’s still a lot more to do! First, someone needs to take responsibility for monitoring for security threats and alerts, and reviewing reports. The level of oversight needed is directly correlated to the number of security features installed and what those installed features do. Second, someone needs to ensure that any and all security services stay up to date. Who better than a Managed Service Provider to perform these tasks?
The bottom line? Securing Microsoft 365 and Office 365 is too important to do on your own, so partner with a certified Managed Services Provider today.
Looking to outsource your IT managed services support? Schedule a complimentary consultation online or reach out to us at 240-406-9960.
