Microsoft 365 employs Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) to mitigate phishing attempts. This system scans emails for malicious attachments or links in real time. Safe Links and Safe Attachments features protect users by checking links for harmful content before they’re clicked and screening attachments for malware. Additionally, Microsoft Defender for Office 365 actively monitors and blocks suspicious activity, ensuring that phishing attacks are identified and neutralised before reaching end-users.

To maximise data security in Microsoft 365, businesses should enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA), utilise role-based access control (RBAC), and configure data loss prevention (DLP) policies. Encrypting sensitive emails with Microsoft 365 Message Encryption (OME) adds an extra layer of protection. Additionally, using Azure Information Protection (AIP) helps classify and safeguard sensitive information, while regular audits and compliance monitoring ensure adherence to security protocols.

Microsoft 365 offers a variety of compliance tools to help businesses meet data protection regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and others. Compliance Manager within Microsoft 365 allows businesses to assess and manage their compliance posture, and Advanced Data Governance helps to retain, delete, or store data in compliance with legal requirements. Data loss prevention (DLP) policies can also be configured to prevent sensitive information from leaving the organisation, reducing the risk of data breaches.

To mitigate insider threats, Microsoft 365 includes features such as Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Conditional Access policies that limit access based on user roles, locations, or devices. Organisations can also utilise Privileged Access Management (PAM) to monitor and control the use of elevated permissions. Insider Risk Management, another tool in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, provides intelligent analysis and detection of potentially risky behaviours by employees, allowing companies to act before incidents occur.