Microsoft 365 is more than just Outlook, Excel, and Teams. Under the hood, it includes a wide range of tools designed to help organizations improve security, manage risk, and simplify compliance.
The challenge? Many businesses don’t know those features are there, or they’re not sure how to implement them effectively.
If your company is growing, working in hybrid environments, or handling sensitive data, here are five Microsoft 365 features worth exploring. You may already have access to them, and they could be the difference between staying secure and being vulnerable to malicious attacks.
1. Microsoft Secure Score
Microsoft Secure Score is a built-in tool that evaluates your organization’s security posture. It scans your Microsoft 365 and Azure environments and provides a numeric score based on your current security configurations. More importantly, it offers clear recommendations to help you strengthen your defenses.
Think of it as a credit score for your security. Higher scores indicate better protection, and the tool provides step-by-step guidance to improve weak areas.
Why it matters:
- Helps prioritize security tasks
- Tracks your progress over time
- Gives executive teams a simple way to understand risk
2. Conditional Access Policies
Conditional Access allows you to define who can access which resources, when, and from where. Instead of a one-size-fits-all login process, you can add layers of security depending on user roles, location, device health, or risk level.
For example, you might block sign-ins from unfamiliar countries or require multi-factor authentication for high-risk apps. Conditional Access ensures your users can get what they need without opening the door too wide.
Why it matters:
- Enforces security without disrupting workflow
- Helps prevent unauthorized access
- Adapts to remote and hybrid work environments
3. Information Protection
With features like Sensitivity Labels and Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Microsoft 365 helps you classify and protect sensitive data automatically. Whether it’s internal documents, customer records, or financial reports, you can control who sees what, and where that data can go.
DLP policies can block users from accidentally sharing sensitive information outside your organization, while sensitivity labels can apply encryption or access restrictions.
Why it matters:
- Keeps confidential information secure
- Helps meet compliance requirements
- Reduces risk of data leaks
4. Threat Protection with Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 goes beyond traditional antivirus. It includes advanced protection against phishing, ransomware, business email compromise, and other common threats. Defender scans email attachments, links, and files in real time—blocking suspicious activity before it becomes a problem.
Why it matters:
- Stops threats before they reach users
- Protects email, SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive
- Provides insights and alerts for quick response
5. Device Management with Intune
Microsoft Intune is Microsoft’s endpoint management solution. It allows IT teams to manage and secure work devices, whether they’re company-issued laptops or employee smartphones. With Intune, you can enforce policies like disk encryption, remote wipe, or app restrictions, all from a centralized dashboard.
Why it matters:
- Keeps company data secure on all devices
- Supports BYOD and remote work
- Helps maintain compliance across the board
Final Thoughts
Most organizations already pay for Microsoft 365, but many don’t fully use the tools that can strengthen their security posture. Features like Secure Score, Conditional Access, and Intune offer proactive solutions that can reduce risk, support remote teams, and simplify compliance, all without needing to purchase additional tools.
You don’t have to implement everything at once, but even a few changes can make a big difference. If your business is growing, storing sensitive data, or managing a hybrid workforce, now is a good time to take a second look at what Microsoft 365 can do for your security.