Why Correct Configuration Is Vital

Cybersecurity has become one of the most pressing business risks for UK SMEs. As digital operations grow, so too does the urgency to strengthen defences. Microsoft 365 has become foundational – handling everything from email and collaboration to document storage and remote access. However, while adoption is widespread, configuration often remains an afterthought.

Many businesses assume that simply using Microsoft 365 equates to being protected. Unfortunately, default settings do not reflect modern cyber threats.

As a Microsoft Solutions Partner working closely with SMEs, we see the same issues time and again – powerful features left unused, essential policies missing, and serious gaps in identity, access and data control. This isn’t a technology problem. It’s a configuration issue.

Default Settings Don’t Defend Against Today’s Threats

Relying on out-of-the-box settings exposes businesses to avoidable risks. Business email compromise, credential theft, ransomware and internal data leaks are no longer the concern of large enterprises alone. SMEs are targeted specifically because attackers assume they have weaker defences – and they’re often right.

The tools needed to combat these threats are already available within Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Enterprise plans. Microsoft Defender, Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory), Intune and Purview offer enterprise-grade protection. But unless configured to suit your specific environment, these tools remain underutilised.

Microsoft 365: A Security Platform, Not Just a Productivity Suite

Many SMEs still view Microsoft 365 as a set of productivity tools – email, Word, Excel and Teams. But beneath that surface lies a comprehensive, security-first ecosystem. When configured with care, Microsoft 365 becomes your strongest line of defence.

Identity protection can be strengthened dramatically using Entra ID through multi-factor authentication, conditional access and role-based permissions. Threats arriving via email are neutralised when Defender for Office 365 is fully enabled and configured to scan links, attachments and impersonation attempts in real time. Devices are secured and monitored through Intune, ensuring compliance whether they’re in the office or on the road. Sensitive data is tracked, encrypted and governed using Microsoft Purview, aligning with regulatory requirements and internal policies alike.

Configuration Tailored to Your Business Context

Security tools don’t work in isolation – they need to be mapped to your business workflows. Who needs access to what? How are users and data segmented? Which devices are managed or unmanaged? Where is sensitive information stored, shared and accessed?

These questions inform the configuration of policies that make a tangible difference to your risk posture. For example, it’s not enough to enable multi-factor authentication across the board. It should be applied intelligently – tightened for high-risk roles, exempted where appropriate and audited regularly. Similarly, email protection should go beyond basic filters to include automated incident responses, impersonation detection and user training prompts.

The goal isn’t to restrict productivity. It’s to create a security framework that enables secure work across departments, locations and devices – without relying on trust or manual oversight.

Threats Change. So Should Your Configuration

One of the most common misconceptions among SMEs is that configuration is a one-time task. In reality, it’s a continuous process. Business models evolve, new tools are adopted, employees come and go. Threat actors adjust their tactics in response to new controls. What worked last year may not be sufficient today.

Advanced Microsoft 365 configuration must be reviewed regularly to maintain effectiveness. Policies need to evolve. Logs need to be monitored. Risks need to be reassessed. This is where external expertise becomes invaluable – offering not only best-practice configuration but ongoing optimisation as your needs change.

Security and Simplicity Can Coexist

Importantly, enhancing your Microsoft 365 configuration doesn’t mean introducing more tools or complexity. In fact, it often does the opposite. Many SMEs end up with overlapping third-party applications that create confusion, increase costs and introduce vulnerabilities. Properly configuring Microsoft’s own tools allows you to consolidate, simplify and strengthen your setup.

Cybersecurity shouldn’t feel like a burden. With the right configuration, it becomes an enabler – freeing your team to work confidently, knowing that critical controls are quietly protecting them in the background.

Partnering for Long-Term Protection

At PSTG, we’ve helped hundreds of UK businesses to turn Microsoft 365 into a proactive defence platform. We focus on making sure the tools you already have are working harder, smarter and more securely. It’s about aligning technology with the way your business actually operates, rather than leaving powerful features on the shelf.

Cybersecurity isn’t about fear. It’s about readiness. And readiness begins with configuration.

If you’re ready to make Microsoft 365 work harder for your business – and significantly reduce your exposure to cyber threats – our guide offers a more detailed roadmap:

Advanced Microsoft 365 Configuration: Unlock Enhanced Security and Business Performance

Get Expert Help With Microsoft 365 Cybersecurity Configuration

How well is your Microsoft 365 environment actually protecting your business? Are your current configurations really mitigating the risks you face – or simply masking them? If you’re unsure, now is the time to act. PSTG offers tailored cybersecurity and Microsoft 365 audits designed specifically for SMEs, helping you to identify weaknesses before they become incidents.

As a trusted Microsoft Solutions Partner, we provide enterprise-level expertise at an SME-friendly price point. Our team goes beyond checklists and templates, delivering strategic configuration based on your organisation’s real-world structure, behaviours and risk tolerance.

We are proud to be an accredited supplier to the Crown Commercial Service. Our quality and security credentials include ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus.

Cybersecurity is too important to leave to chance – or default settings – so partner with a team that knows how to turn Microsoft 365 into a secure, high-performance environment for your business.