Microsoft Secure Score is not a good indicator of your business's cyber risk: Why Independent Cyber Security Providers are Essential
Cyber is a business risk, not a technology risk. Which is why unfortunately Microsoft Secure Score falls short when it comes to understanding your cyber risk. Businesses must prioritise cyber security measures to protect their sensitive data and maintain operational integrity, confidentiality and availability. Many organisations rely on Managed Service Providers (MSPs) or one internal IT support staff to manage their IT infrastructure and security needs.
While MSPs/Internal IT play a crucial role in maintaining IT systems, relying solely on tools like Microsoft Secure Score as an indication of good cyber security can be misleading. This article explores the limitations of Microsoft Secure Score and emphasises the importance of engaging an independent cyber security provider alongside your MSP.
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Understanding Microsoft Secure Score
Microsoft Secure Score is a valuable tool that provides organisations with a measurement of their security posture within the Microsoft 365 environment. It offers recommendations to improve security by configuring recommended features, performing security-related tasks, and addressing potential vulnerabilities.
While Secure Score is beneficial for assessing and enhancing security within Microsoft products, it has inherent limitations that businesses must recognise.
1. Scope Limitation: Microsoft Secure Score focuses primarily on the security posture of Microsoft 365 products. It does not provide a comprehensive assessment of an organisation's overall cyber security landscape, including non-Microsoft systems and third-party applications. Relying solely on Secure Score can create a false sense of security, leaving other critical areas vulnerable to attacks.
2. Compliance and Industry Standards: Secure Score does not fully address industry-specific compliance requirements and standards. Organisations in regulated industries, such as healthcare and finance, must adhere to stringent cyber security regulations that go beyond the recommendations provided by Secure Score. An independent cyber security provider can ensure compliance with these standards and implement tailored security measures.
3. Advanced Threat Detection: While Secure Score offers valuable insights, it may not be sufficient for detecting and mitigating advanced cyber threats. Cybercriminals continuously evolve their tactics, and sophisticated attacks require specialised expertise and advanced threat detection capabilities. Independent cyber security, such as CyberCaddy, providers offer comprehensive threat intelligence and monitoring services to identify and respond to emerging threats effectively.
4. Holistic Security Strategy: A robust cyber security strategy encompasses more than just technical configurations. It involves employee training, incident response planning, and continuous risk assessments. Independent cyber security providers bring a holistic approach to security, addressing both technical and human factors to create a resilient security posture.
Engaging an independent cyber security provider alongside your IT team (Internal or external) offers several advantages:
1. Comprehensive Security Assessments: Independent Cyber Security providers conduct thorough security assessments that cover all aspects of your IT environment, including non-Microsoft systems and third-party applications. This ensures a complete understanding of your security posture and identifies potential vulnerabilities that may be overlooked by Secure Score.
2. Tailored Security Solutions: Independent providers offer customised security solutions based on your organisation's unique needs and industry requirements. They implement advanced security measures, such as Managed Security Operations, to detect and respond to threats before they become significant issues.
3. Continuous Monitoring and Threat Intelligence: Independent cyber security providers offer continuous monitoring and threat intelligence services to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. They leverage advanced tools and expertise to detect, analyse, and mitigate threats in real time.
4. Compliance and Risk Management: Independent providers ensure that your organisation complies with industry-specific regulations and standards. They implement risk management strategies to minimise potential threats and ensure the integrity of your data.
While Microsoft Secure Score is a valuable tool for improving security within the Microsoft 365 environment, it should not be the sole indicator of good cybersecurity. Businesses must recognise their limitations and engage an independent cyber security provider to achieve a comprehensive and resilient security posture. There are significantly better ways to understand your business's current cyber risk state, such as, SIEM (Security Event Incident Management), aligning to a cyber security framework or achieving security compliance (e.g.ISO27001, CyberCert).
If you want to understand your current cyber risk state, feel free to get in touch with one of consultants at Cyber Caddy. We are dedicated to providing tailored cyber security solutions that address the unique needs of each client. Contact us to learn how we can enhance your security posture and safeguard your business against cyber threats.
