In 2024, Microsoft 365 security has become one of the most important parts of protecting a business. Almost every ransomware event and business email compromise we’re seeing this year starts with a compromised Microsoft 365 identity — not a firewall breach, and not a traditional server hack.
Attackers know that if they can get into Microsoft 365, they can access email, files, Teams chats, SharePoint data, OneDrive, and even sensitive identity roles inside Entra (Azure AD). That’s why hardening Microsoft 365 is now a top priority for organizations of every size.
Why attackers are targeting Microsoft 365 so heavily
Microsoft 365 is the central hub for most businesses:
- File storage
- Internal chat and collaboration
- Identity and authentication
- Application permissions
- Cloud administration
This makes it incredibly valuable. If an attacker compromises a single account, they can move laterally across cloud applications without ever touching a physical device — and without triggering traditional security alerts.
Right now, attackers are using:
- password spraying
- MFA fatigue attacks
- token theft
- malicious OAuth apps
- inbox rule manipulation
- phishing that looks identical to Microsoft login pages
This is why Microsoft 365 is one of the top targets in 2024.
Common Microsoft 365 weaknesses we’re finding
Across the South Georgia and North Florida region — Tallahassee, Albany, Valdosta, and surrounding markets — the same issues keep showing up in Microsoft 365 assessments:
- MFA isn’t enforced for every user
- Legacy authentication is still enabled behind the scenes
- Conditional Access policies are too broad or missing entirely
- Global Admin roles are assigned to everyday accounts
- Guest users from years ago still have access
- SharePoint/OneDrive links are too permissive
- External apps have far more permissions than anyone realized
- Mailboxes aren’t monitored for forwarding rules or impersonation attempts
Individually, these are small weaknesses. Combined, they create major risk.
Hardening Microsoft 365 in 2024: what it looks like
Modern Microsoft 365 security isn’t complicated, but it is intentional. It includes:
- Conditional Access
Defining rules around who can access what — and under which conditions.
This includes device checks, location rules, session risk, and more. - Identity Governance cleanup
Removing old accounts, cleaning up groups, restricting guest access, and auditing roles. - Defender for Office 365
Advanced threat protection that blocks phishing, scans attachments, and prevents impersonation. - Disabling legacy authentication
This closes one of the most abused attack paths still left open in many tenants. - Strengthening sharing and data controls
Limiting public SharePoint/OneDrive links and controlling file sharing with external partners. - Better alerting and monitoring
Watching for unusual logins, impossible travel, mailbox rule changes, and privilege escalations.
Why this matters for business leaders
For non-technical teams, the message is simple:
A Microsoft 365 account is often the front door to your entire digital business. If someone gets into it, they can access emails, files, financial documents, HR data — everything.
For technical teams, Microsoft 365 hardening is one of the highest-value projects in 2024. It directly reduces ransomware risk, improves compliance, and strengthens your entire cloud security posture.
The bottom line
Microsoft 365 isn’t “just email” anymore — it’s the core of your business. Hardening it is no longer optional. It’s one of the most important steps you can take to protect your organization in 2024.