Understanding Microsoft's Secure Score - A Simple Guide for Small Businesses

In today’s digital world, cybersecurity is a top priority, especially for small businesses that are often prime targets for cyberattacks. Microsoft Secure Score is a helpful tool that gives businesses a snapshot of their overall security posture and suggests ways to strengthen it. Think of it as a credit score for your company’s cybersecurity health—it’s a measure of how well you’re protecting your business and what steps you can take to improve that protection.

This article will break down what Microsoft Secure Score is and provide some simple measures you can deploy to boost your rating.

What is Microsoft Secure Score?

Microsoft Secure Score is part of Microsoft’s security tools for Office 365 and other cloud services. It gives you a score based on the security settings and activities you’re using. The score reflects how well your business is aligned with Microsoft’s security best practices.

The higher the score, the stronger your security posture is. A lower score means there are vulnerabilities you should address. Microsoft Secure Score also gives you specific recommendations on actions you can take to improve your score—and, ultimately, your security.

Why Should Small Businesses Care?

Small businesses are often seen as easy targets for cybercriminals. Many have less complex security measures in place compared to larger organisations. A breach can be devastating, causing lost revenue, damaged reputation, and potential legal consequences.

Using Microsoft Secure Score allows you to see, at a glance, where you may be vulnerable. It provides clear guidance on how to fix these weaknesses and strengthen your defences without needing a deep technical background.

How is Secure Score Calculated?

Your Secure Score is based on factors like:

• Identity security (Are your accounts protected?)
• Device security (Are your computers and mobile devices safe?)
• App security (Are the apps you're using properly configured?)
• Data security (Is sensitive information protected?)

For example, if you aren’t enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA) or you haven’t encrypted your emails, your score will be lower. Each recommendation to improve your security is assigned a score based on its importance.

Measures to Boost Your Microsoft Secure Score

Now, let’s talk about practical steps you can take to improve your score and secure your business. Here are some key actions that Microsoft recommends:

1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) MFA is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your accounts. It requires users to verify their identity in two ways—usually by entering a password and then confirming a code sent to their phone or email. Why it matters: Even if an attacker steals a password, they won’t be able to access an account without the second factor. Enabling MFA can significantly boost your Secure Score.
2. Turn on Security Defaults Microsoft offers “Security Defaults,” a set of basic, but essential, security settings that protect your users and data from common attacks. This includes requiring MFA for all users, protecting privileged activities, and blocking legacy authentication (older, less secure methods of signing in). Why it matters: Security Defaults provide a quick and easy way to enable several protective measures without having to configure each setting individually.
3. Update Software and Apply Security Patches Make sure that all your systems and software are up to date. Microsoft regularly releases updates to fix security vulnerabilities, so enabling automatic updates ensures you're protected from the latest threats. Why it matters: Cybercriminals often exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated software. Keeping everything updated prevents these attacks and boosts your Secure Score.
4. Use Conditional Access Policies Conditional Access policies allow you to control how and when users can access company data. For example, you can set rules that only allow access from specific locations or devices, or require MFA when accessing certain sensitive information. Why it matters: By limiting access, you reduce the chances of unauthorized users getting into your system, which improves your security and Secure Score.
5. Audit Your User Permissions Review the permissions of your users and ensure that they only have access to the tools and data they need. Remove access for employees who no longer work with you and limit administrative privileges to only those who truly need them. Why it matters: Minimizing unnecessary access reduces the risk of insider threats or accidental exposure of sensitive information.
6. Encrypt Your Data Encrypting your data ensures that even if someone gains unauthorized access to it, they won't be able to read or use it. Microsoft provides encryption options for emails and files through Office 365 and Azure. Why it matters: Encryption adds a strong layer of protection to sensitive data, preventing breaches and boosting your Secure Score.
7. Enable Email Protection Features Emails are often the entry point for cyberattacks. Enable features like anti-phishing protection, spam filtering, and Safe Links (which checks URLs in emails for malicious content) in your Microsoft 365 environment. Why it matters: Reducing the risk of phishing attacks protects your users and business from common forms of cybercrime.

Tracking Your Progress

As you make these improvements, you’ll notice your Microsoft Secure Score rising. You can track your progress on the Secure Score dashboard, which shows you how much each action improves your score and suggests the next best steps to take. You don’t need to aim for a perfect score - just ensure you’re consistently addressing vulnerabilities and adopting best practices over time.

Conclusion

Microsoft Secure Score is a valuable tool for small businesses looking to enhance their security without the need for specialised expertise. By following the recommended steps—like enabling MFA, turning on Security Defaults, and keeping your software updated—you can boost your Secure Score and, more importantly, better protect your business from cyber threats.

Making security a priority now will pay off in the long run by keeping your business safe, your data secure, and your clients’ trust intact.