Microsoft 365 Security
Microsoft 365 Secure Score Explainer
Use Microsoft 365 Secure Score as one evidence source, then review the affected users, data, licenses, exceptions, and operational impact before prioritizing each recommendation.
CISO-led guidance from Ali Hassani, backed by 25+ years of IT, cybersecurity, compliance, and infrastructure experience.
Built for audit and compliance decisions
OC Security Audit supports independent assessment, cybersecurity audit, compliance readiness, control validation, and executive-level risk communication. When findings require technical remediation, IT Perfection can support Microsoft 365 administration, configuration, monitoring, and implementation while OC Security Audit validates risk and evidence.
Assessment items with audit guidance
Open each item to review what it means, how to check it, why it matters, the likely risk level, the business impact, and trusted reference links.
Conditional Access and MFA maturityRisk: HighImpact: High
Description
Conditional Access and MFA maturity should be reviewed as an evidence-based audit area for Microsoft 365 Security Audit. The goal is to determine whether the organization can prove the control exists, works consistently, and has an accountable owner.
How to check
Check administrator portals, identity policies, privileged role assignments, conditional access or MFA reports, and recent sign-in logs. Confirm both ordinary users and administrators are covered.
Why it is important
Identity compromise is one of the fastest paths to ransomware, data theft, cloud compromise, and unauthorized administrative change.
Trusted reference links
Microsoft Secure ScoreMicrosoft Zero TrustCISA M365 Secure Configuration Baselines
Privileged role governanceRisk: HighImpact: High
Description
Privileged role governance should be reviewed as an evidence-based audit area for Microsoft 365 Security Audit. The goal is to determine whether the organization can prove the control exists, works consistently, and has an accountable owner.
How to check
Check administrator portals, identity policies, privileged role assignments, conditional access or MFA reports, and recent sign-in logs. Confirm both ordinary users and administrators are covered.
Why it is important
Identity compromise is one of the fastest paths to ransomware, data theft, cloud compromise, and unauthorized administrative change.
Trusted reference links
Microsoft Secure ScoreMicrosoft Zero TrustCISA M365 Secure Configuration Baselines
Exchange Online protection postureRisk: HighImpact: High
Description
Exchange Online protection posture should be reviewed as an evidence-based audit area for Microsoft 365 Security Audit. The goal is to determine whether the organization can prove the control exists, works consistently, and has an accountable owner.
How to check
Review anti-phishing, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, safe links or attachment controls, quarantine reports, user reporting workflow, and recent email security incidents.
Why it is important
This control supports audit readiness, risk reduction, executive visibility, and practical remediation planning.
Trusted reference links
Microsoft Secure ScoreMicrosoft Zero TrustCISA M365 Secure Configuration Baselines
SharePoint and OneDrive sharing controlsRisk: MediumImpact: Medium
Description
SharePoint and OneDrive sharing controls should be reviewed as an evidence-based audit area for Microsoft 365 Security Audit. The goal is to determine whether the organization can prove the control exists, works consistently, and has an accountable owner.
How to check
Review the related admin console, screenshots, policies, logs, reports, tickets, exception records, and owner accountability evidence. Validate the control by evidence, not by memory.
Why it is important
This control supports audit readiness, risk reduction, executive visibility, and practical remediation planning.
Trusted reference links
Microsoft Secure ScoreMicrosoft Zero TrustCISA M365 Secure Configuration Baselines
Defender and endpoint integrationRisk: HighImpact: Medium
Description
Defender and endpoint integration should be reviewed as an evidence-based audit area for Microsoft 365 Security Audit. The goal is to determine whether the organization can prove the control exists, works consistently, and has an accountable owner.
How to check
Review the related admin console, screenshots, policies, logs, reports, tickets, exception records, and owner accountability evidence. Validate the control by evidence, not by memory.
Why it is important
This control supports audit readiness, risk reduction, executive visibility, and practical remediation planning.
Trusted reference links
Microsoft Secure ScoreMicrosoft Zero TrustCISA M365 Secure Configuration Baselines
Audit logging and retention settingsRisk: MediumImpact: High
Description
Audit logging and retention settings should be reviewed as an evidence-based audit area for Microsoft 365 Security Audit. The goal is to determine whether the organization can prove the control exists, works consistently, and has an accountable owner.
How to check
Confirm audit logs are enabled, retained long enough for investigation, protected from tampering, and reviewed through alerts, reports, or SIEM workflows.
Why it is important
Without reliable logs, the organization may not be able to investigate incidents, support insurance claims, or prove control operation during an audit.
Trusted reference links
Microsoft Secure ScoreMicrosoft Zero TrustCISA M365 Secure Configuration Baselines
Data loss prevention and sensitivity labelsRisk: MediumImpact: Medium
Description
Data loss prevention and sensitivity labels should be reviewed as an evidence-based audit area for Microsoft 365 Security Audit. The goal is to determine whether the organization can prove the control exists, works consistently, and has an accountable owner.
How to check
Review the related admin console, screenshots, policies, logs, reports, tickets, exception records, and owner accountability evidence. Validate the control by evidence, not by memory.
Why it is important
This control supports audit readiness, risk reduction, executive visibility, and practical remediation planning.
Trusted reference links
Microsoft Secure ScoreMicrosoft Zero TrustCISA M365 Secure Configuration Baselines
Secure Score exception documentationRisk: MediumImpact: Medium
Description
Secure Score exception documentation should be reviewed as an evidence-based audit area for Microsoft 365 Security Audit. The goal is to determine whether the organization can prove the control exists, works consistently, and has an accountable owner.
How to check
Review the related admin console, screenshots, policies, logs, reports, tickets, exception records, and owner accountability evidence. Validate the control by evidence, not by memory.
Why it is important
This control supports audit readiness, risk reduction, executive visibility, and practical remediation planning.
Trusted reference links
Microsoft Secure ScoreMicrosoft Zero TrustCISA M365 Secure Configuration Baselines
Quick self-score
Use this scoring panel after reviewing the detail sections above. Score based on evidence: screenshots, policies, logs, reports, tickets, and owner accountability.
Select each control area to see the readiness level.
Priority remediation roadmap
1. Validate
Confirm the real control state with evidence and identify gaps that could affect audit, insurance, compliance, or executive risk decisions.
2. Prioritize
Rank findings by business impact, likelihood, compliance exposure, and operational dependency.
3. Track
Create a remediation roadmap with owners, dates, evidence requirements, and follow-up validation.
Created by Ali Hassani, CISO
Ali Hassani brings 25+ years of IT, cybersecurity, compliance, Microsoft infrastructure, cloud security, network security, firewall, vulnerability management, and executive advisory experience. OC Security Audit uses this experience to help organizations understand risk clearly before making remediation, compliance, or insurance decisions.
CISSPCCISOvCISO25+ Years Experience
View Ali Hassani’s profile for professional background, certifications, and consulting focus.
Request a professional review from OC Security Audit
Use the self-score as a starting point. For audit-ready evidence, executive reporting, and professional validation, schedule a focused review with OC Security Audit.