{"id":16353,"date":"2019-09-06T08:48:12","date_gmt":"2019-09-06T08:48:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/industry\/blog\/?p=16353"},"modified":"2019-09-11T10:16:02","modified_gmt":"2019-09-11T10:16:02","slug":"secure-organisation-digital-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/industry\/blog\/cross-industry\/2019\/09\/06\/secure-organisation-digital-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"How to secure your organisation in the digital workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In the modern digital workplace, a mobile-first mentality sees employees constantly finding new ways to work.<\/p>\n
But the more solutions, systems, and data connecting your organisation, the more risk there is to security. And the rise of remote workers, who rely on cloud-based communications, is forcing sysadmins to remain extra vigilant.<\/p>\n
Through Azure and Microsoft 365, you\u2019ll possess the best tools to oversee all security threats. Defend your organisation, protect your IT infrastructure, and keep your employees secure, whether they\u2019re in the office or on the go.<\/p>\n
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It\u2019s critical only authorised users can access your network. An employee that loses a device or clicks a malicious link can leave your whole business vulnerable.<\/p>\n
You also don\u2019t want to leave users in limbo, with offline stacked systems requiring multiple logins \u2013 each unable to talk to each other, and each increasing the threat to your security.<\/p>\n
Microsoft Azure features an Active Directory (AD). This simplified, centralised identity and access management service offers much greater control over who can access your business apps. It has three main functions:<\/p>\n
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IT administrators can use this service to precisely control who within the workplace has access to business apps and resources. The Azure Active Directory lets you adds an additional layer of security. For instance, create a requirement that forces two-factor authentication for anyone logging into an app or configure password-less security key sign in.<\/p>\n
Through cloud capabilities, the AD also bridges the gap between online Office 365 apps and your on-premises Windows Server AD. The directory automates access to accounts and retaining existing passwords to keep users securely online.<\/p>\n
The easiest way to achieve this is to synchronise accounts from the on-premises directory to the Azure AD. While this means that the Windows AD remains the \u2018dominant\u2019 source for accounts, Azure authenticates all cloud-based logins.<\/p>\n
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Cyber-security fears rank high for any organisation. Staying online is crucial and it\u2019s frustrating if a hacker knocks out your systems in a heartbeat. The Active Directory is designed to proactively detect threats and protect all users.<\/p>\n
Cyber-attacks take many different forms, from phishing to brute force. The methods may vary, but the result is always the same: information is compromised. And, in the age of GDPR, few organisations can afford that.<\/p>\n
So, let\u2019s look at how Azure\u2019s built-in security features deals with one of the most common threats: malware.<\/p>\n
The attack begins with malware attempting installation on a user\u2019s device. At this point, multiple tools work together and start to act\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Should an employee click a dodgy link, it\u2019s still not game over for your IT security. At this point, you can rely on\u2026<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At this stage, Azure deploys a number of tools designed to keep your data and your digital workplace secure. While Cloud App Security locks down suspicious user accounts, tools like Intune Mobile Application Management and Office 365 DLP prevents data being moved from the digital environment. Azure Information Protection and Azure Rights Management add further protection, encrypting sensitive files. Finally, Azure Backup provides a way to restore your data from the cloud.<\/p>\n At no point during a cyber-attack are you left alone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There\u2019s another reason why digital workplace security is important: your reputation. In an age where data leaks and cyber-attacks dominate headlines almost daily, your customers are hyper-aware of data privacy. If you can\u2019t guarantee the security and privacy of their data, you lose their trust and custom.<\/p>\n When implementing any new system across your organisation, start by identifying how you\u2019ll protect all the data you hold. Design your entire infrastructure around this idea. The sooner you develop a system with \u2018privacy by design\u2019 in mind, the sooner you\u2019ll be able to work out potential problems<\/p>\n It\u2019s a core part of the GDPR regulations \u2013 so not adhering to the \u2018privacy by design\u2019 principle means you could earn yourself a major fine. But it\u2019s also plain good business practice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In our fast-paced digitally-driven world, going \u2018dark\u2019 is costs time, money, customers, and your hard-earned reputation. And, for smaller businesses, it\u2019s a death sentence. Reliability counts, no matter what industry you\u2019re in. That\u2019s why Microsoft Azure works tirelessly to protect you. It\u2019s designed for the modern digital workplace and a new way of working \u2013 just like your business is.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Microsoft Learn: Explore security, responsibility, and trust in Azure<\/a><\/p>\n\n
Privacy by design<\/h2>\n
Find out more<\/h2>\n