Office 365 Security Features Every Business Should Be Using
Cyberattacks are rising, and small businesses in New Jersey are no exception.
From ransomware to phishing, today's threats target companies of all sizes — not just big corporations.
If you’re using Office 365 for email, file sharing, and remote work, you already have access to powerful built-in security tools.
The problem? Most businesses don’t know these tools exist — or don’t have them turned on.
In this guide, we’ll show you the top Office 365 security features your business should be using today to stay protected, avoid data loss, and stay compliant with industry regulations.
These tools are already part of your subscription. You just need to activate and configure them properly.
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Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
What it is: A security feature that requires users to verify their identity using a second factor — like a mobile code — in addition to a password.
Why it matters:
Passwords are easy to guess or steal.
MFA stops 99% of account breaches, even if someone has your login info.
How it works in Office 365:
Admins can require all users to set up MFA, or enforce it only for sensitive roles.
Users receive a text, call, or app prompt every time they log in from a new device.
New Jersey impact:
For local businesses handling sensitive customer data — like law firms or medical offices — MFA is a must.
If your team isn’t using it yet, Cloud Atlas can configure MFA for your Office 365 environment.
Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)
What it is: A tool that blocks phishing emails, unsafe links, and malicious attachments before they reach your inbox.
Why it matters:
Phishing is still the #1 way hackers gain access to business networks.
One wrong click can infect your entire system.
Office 365 capabilities:
Real-time link scanning
Attachment sandboxing
Anti-phishing protection using machine learning
Alerts and reports for admins
Real-world example:
An NJ-based accounting firm received a fake invoice PDF with embedded malware.
With ATP enabled, Office 365 flagged and quarantined the message before anyone opened it.
Local support:
Cloud Atlas helps New Jersey businesses implement ATP and customize settings based on their risk level.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
What it is: A feature that helps prevent users from accidentally sharing confidential data like credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, or medical records.
Why it matters:
You can’t always trust that employees will follow best practices.
DLP acts as an automatic safety net.
What it does:
Scans outgoing emails and documents
Flags sensitive content
Blocks or warns users before they send restricted information
Industries that benefit:
Healthcare (HIPAA)
Finance (FINRA)
Legal and professional services
Use case in NJ:
A law firm in Princeton used DLP to automatically block the accidental sharing of unredacted client contracts.
Email Encryption
What it is: Encryption protects the contents of your email so only the intended recipient can read it.
Why it matters:
If you're emailing contracts, personal data, or financial info, encryption ensures the data is secure during transmission.
Office 365 features:
Built-in message encryption
Users can click "Encrypt" before sending
Compatible with most email providers
Practical use cases:
Sending W-9 forms
Sharing vendor payment details
Coordinating with external clients and contractors
Peace of mind:
You won’t have to wonder whether a sensitive email is safe or exposed.
Compliance and Audit Tools
What it is: Office 365 includes tools to help meet federal and industry-specific compliance standards.
What’s included:
Audit logs that track user activity
eDiscovery to search across all files and email
Legal holds for litigation
Compliance Manager dashboards for HIPAA, GDPR, etc.
Why NJ businesses care:
Regulations like HIPAA and FINRA apply even to small firms.
Failure to meet them can result in fines, lawsuits, or loss of business.
How Cloud Atlas helps:
We help configure your Office 365 tenant for your specific industry requirements — and make sure the settings are actually working.
Recap: Are You Using These Features?
Let’s quickly recap the key Office 365 security tools your business should be using:
Security Feature
Purpose
Is It Enabled?
Multi-Factor Authentication
Prevents unauthorized account access
✅/❌
Advanced Threat Protection
Stops phishing emails and unsafe attachments
✅/❌
Data Loss Prevention
Blocks sharing of sensitive information
✅/❌
Email Encryption
Secures emails containing private data
✅/❌
Compliance Tools
Helps meet industry regulations
✅/❌
If you’re not sure which of these are active, we can help.
Book a Free Office 365 Security Review
Cloud Atlas Technologies helps businesses across New Jersey get the most out of Microsoft 365 — with expert support, setup, and cybersecurity built in.
We’ll review your current configuration, identify any security gaps, and give you a clear plan to fix them.
No jargon. No sales pressure. Just a safer setup.
