Boost Microsoft 365 Email Security with AI Against Threats.

: by MaK Ulac; Category: Blog; Jan. 7, 2025

(Reading time: 4 - 8 minutes)

Microsoft 365, also known as Office 365, is used by one million companies worldwide, making it one of the most commonly used platforms of cloud-based applications. Microsoft 365’s popularity is driven by the fact that it enables easy collaboration within an organization, even if employees are working remotely. However, Microsoft 365 is a platform that is designed to simplify data and make it easier to access large amounts of sensitive data, which makes it a common target for cyber attackers. Companies need Office 365 email security solutions to protect against cyber threats.

The global average data breach cost reached $4.88 million, a 10% increase from the prior year and the most significant yearly jump since the pandemic. Additionally, 70% of organizations reported “significant or very significant” disruption caused by breaches. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for robust, adaptive security measures to protect critical business assets and operations.

This article will explore where Microsoft 365 email security falls short in safeguarding users and critical business assets against credential phishing, account takeovers, and other dangerous threats that cloud email users face daily. Additionally, we will discuss the type of multi-layered supplementary email protection required to make Microsoft 365 email safe for business.

Did you know that Microsoft 365s built-in email security system isn't as safe as it seems? Well grab your shield as we learn a new field.

Exchange Online is an email server application provided with the outstanding subscription service, Microsoft 365, and Microsoft emphasizes its built-in email protection, but does it really work? Unfortunately, with 85% of its users experiencing email data breaches. It's more than obvious that security needs an upgrade.

Stick around to see how Guardian Digital can help you stay safe when using Exchange Online. These are Microsoft 365 email security limitations you should know. First, Exchange Online Protection uses a retrospective approach to ward off attackers. What is meant by retrospective is that it uses techniques that are traditionally used by older email security solutions.

This includes being static, as Exchange Online Protection does not update itself regularly, so it only identifies threats discovered in the past. Exchange Online Protection is also built with a single-layered filter, thus giving phishing attacks one obstacle to overcome before making it into your email.

These flaws make Microsoft 365s email protection seem really outdated, as more advanced modern-day threats could easily bypass this security system. It is worth noting that Exchange Online Protection is not customizable. Different small and medium-sized businesses will encounter different attacks that come from different domains that may not be included in Exchange Online Protection's static list of threats.

Without the ability to customize security to suit small and medium-sized businesses' unique needs, anomalous threats can repeatedly attempt to send malware. Microsoft 365s homogeneous architecture of email security systems is problematic, along with the issue of exchange online protection not being customizable.

Every single account that uses Exchange Online has the same exact security filters as each other, thus making malicious attacks much easier for cybercriminals. This means that cybercriminals were to bypass the single-layered email security filter. On one account, they practically could repeat their methods and access all accounts acquiring exchange online.

Finally, the configuration complexities of Microsoft 365 lack the support needed. The setup and configuration process of Microsoft 365 is so complicated that it requires it expertise. The setup process as well as system monitoring, maintenance, and support are things that the Microsoft team needs to offer to its customers, but they fall short in assisting in these areas.

The problem with the lack of guidance from a Microsoft technical support team is that it could often lead to misconfiguration vulnerabilities that cyber criminals would be able to take advantage of.

When using Guardian Digital OnGuard Cloud email security, you can continue using Microsoft 365 without having to use its flawed security system. OnGuard Cloud email security has an auto-learning feature with the help of its open source community, so it is proactive and constantly evolving to secure your email from even the most recent cyber threats.

Its security filter is multi-layered as there are different components built inside it to decrease the likelihood of phishing emails getting into your email. The layers consist of information protection, spam and virus protection, malicious URL protection and sender fraud protection, being a product of open-source development.

It is customizable to meet small and medium sized businesses, unique security needs, which makes it security different from all users as well. It is also a managed service that acquires a team of experienced security experts that partner with your company to provide ongoing system monitoring, maintenance, and support.

Thank you for watching this video. Hopefully your new knowledge has built you a stronger shield. It was a pleasure of speaking with you and as always, stay safe.

Native Capabilities of Microsoft 365 Email Security Are Limited

Watch for critical email security gaps in your Microsoft 365 platform that can lead to phishing and ransomware attacks. To protect against the most sophisticated attacks, email protection must provide more than essential signature detection and blocklists supplied by Microsoft.

Protection Is Static, Single-Layered, and Unable to Anticipate Emerging Phishing Email Attacks

EOP takes a retrospective approach to identifying phishing and malware attacks that do not safeguard against human error. Users need more effective email security services to anticipate emerging zero-day attacks, malicious URLs, and attachments not included in their static lists.

Cannot Customize Server to Meet Business’ Varying Email Security Demands

EOP is not adaptable, which results in a limited ability to identify abnormal email threats and social engineering attacks, leaving businesses vulnerable to account takeovers, targeted spear phishing emails, and other phishing attacks that often result in credential theft and data loss.

Homogeneous Architecture Makes it Easier for Attackers to Bypass Email Security Defenses

Due to the uniformity of the Microsoft 365 security system, cyber thieves can open an account, test their methods until they can breach default filters, and reuse these methods in attacks targeting thousands of different accounts.

Complex to Configure Securely

The Microsoft 365 setup and configuration process requires IT expertise, which many SMBs lack. Microsoft fails to assist with setup and ongoing system monitoring, maintenance, and support to prevent misconfiguration vulnerabilities and ensure Microsoft 365 customers have secure email services.

How Can I Make Microsoft 365 Email Safe for Business?

To bolster built-in email protection and reap the benefits of Microsoft 365 without sacrificing security, b AI Email Security usinesses should implement a proactive, multi-layered supplementary email security software solution like Guardian Digital Engarde Cloud Email Security. EnGarde is explicitly designed to fill the critical voids in built-in Microsoft 365 email protection with the following characteristics and capabilities:

Phishing & Malware Protection

EnGarde uses an intelligent auto-learn system that leverages the vast resources of the open-source community to anticipate and block advanced and emerging email threats in real-time. The intuitive platform conducts a machine learning-based dynamic analysis of all URLs and files to protect against targeted spear phishing emails, ransomware, and other dangerous attacks that often leverage malicious links and attachments. EnGarde's intelligent, multi-layered email vigilance supplements the inherent gaps in EOP’s protection, such as polymorphic virus and fileless malware protection.

Account Takeover Protection

EnGarde leverages advanced AI-based technology to detect the conversation-style anomalies of Email Account Compromise (EAC) and Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams. This format of account takeover protection is customized to address businesses’ specific email security requirements.

System Monitoring, Maintenance & Support

EnGarde fortifies Microsoft 365 email against credential phishing and account takeovers with critical additional layers of security, fully supported by the ongoing system monitoring and support required for early detection of potential issues. The comprehensive email security system offers our real-time cybersecurity business insight into what is needed to keep businesses secure and productive via an interactive Dashboard.

Keep Learning About How To Bolster Email Protection

Microsoft 365 is the most used email platform, but its weaknesses make it susceptible to frequent attacks. A third-party email security solution with better cyber security tools is necessary to bolster protection with Microsoft 365.

Learn more about protecting your business from ransomware.
Improve your email security posture by using best practices to protect against email attacks.
Keeping the integrity of your email safe requires securing the cloud with spam filtering and enterprise-grade anti-spam services.
Get the latest updates on how to stay safe online.

Interested in learning more about how you can safeguard your users and critical data in Microsoft 365 with EnGarde Cloud Email Security?

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