Digital Transformation has helped innovate and progress the way the world does business faster and more cost-effectively than ever before. However, all of this new opportunity and advancement has created a complex new climate where connected devices hold valuable and sensitive data on individuals.
With the threat of cyber-attacks ever increasing, it is important to make sure this data is held securely wherever it is located, whether it is stored on protected desktops, mobile devices, in the Cloud or on-premise servers ensuring you adhere to the new GDPR legislation. Microsoft 365 is a new solution designed to transform businesses approach to Digital Transformation, security and also forms part of our own Cloud Productivity and Security suite, Unite.
How can Microsoft 365 help with GDPR Compliancy?
Microsoft 365 is the complete, intelligent solution that includes Office 365, Windows 10 and Enterprise Mobility + Security. These solutions empower your employees to collaborate without compromising on security. The Microsoft 365 platform and all its applications have been developed with privacy and GDPR in mind and the tools and features within them can help you to achieve GDPR compliance.
Microsoft 365 enables your employees to work efficiently using the latest business software but also with business reassurance that company data is protected at all times.
What does Microsoft 365 include?
Microsoft 365 brings together Windows 10, Office 365 and Microsoft EM+S plus Azure Information Protection. We explore the benefits of each in more detail below:
Microsoft Office 365
Microsoft 365 integrates all of the Microsoft Office suite including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams, Access, Publisher and more as well as Microsoft’s hosted servers which includes SharePoint Server, Skype For Business and Exchange Server. These applications can be accessed on any device, at any time and at any location.
Windows 10 operating system
Windows 10, brings several security features including Enterprise Data Protection which prevents accidental leaks by separating business and non-business data as well as a Device Guard and Applocker which locks devices down to only run apps that are deemed as trustworthy. The preloaded Windows Defender anti-virus software ensures that your business data remains encrypted while Windows Hello replaces traditional passwords with two-factor authentication, as the software has built-in facial and fingerprint recognition.
Advanced Threat Protection
Built into Windows 10, the Advanced Threat Protection tool is a behaviour-based attack detection tool that also boasts built-in threat intelligence, forensic investigation and mitigation while BitLocker protects your data by encrypting the computer’s storage volume
On average, a cyber-attack exists for more than 90 days in an environment that is prior to detection and Microsoft invests in its tools to help detect those cyber-attacks sooner, remediate as well as in pre-attack prevention tools.
Enterprise Mobility + Security (EM+S)
Microsoft Enterprise Mobility + Security is a device management tool that provides effective management of BYOD devices in the workplace, enabling you to monitor, manage and encrypt devices eg. If they are lost or stolen. Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics is also built in to Enterprise Mobility + Security, this tool identifies suspicious activities and advanced targeted attacks before they cause damage.
Other useful tools include
Microsoft Azure Information Protection
Azure Information Protection (AIP) is a Cloud-based solution that helps a business to classify, label, and protect your businesses documents and emails. This provides encryption for files across storage locations with Cloud-based file tracking, plus intelligent classification, labelling, and protection for sensitive information like personal data.
OneDrive for Business
OneDrive for Business enables you to securely shares files and is a Cloud storage solution for all users, Advanced eDiscovery identifies relevant data quickly as well as Customer Lockbox which has enhanced customer data access controls.
Microsoft Compliance Manager
Microsoft Compliance Manager manages the end-to-end regulation-to-audit compliance process and connect the technology solutions with the regulatory requirements from a dashboard that’s designed to improve the data protection and compliance of your business. The dashboard enables you to assign, track, and record compliance and assessment-related activities, to help your business achieve your businesses compliance goals.
Microsoft 365 licensing options
There are three types of Microsoft 365 licenses; Business, E3 and E5. Take a look at our comparison table at the differences between the three licenses.
Microsoft 365 Added Security
Microsoft are the first company to achieve ISO’s 27018 Cloud privacy standard enabling Microsoft 365 users to enjoy built-in security and compliance across the business applications.
Infinity Group are Microsoft Gold Partners and GDPR specialists. We have our own team of GDPR Consultants who can help pave the way for your business to become GDPR compliant using our industry networks and tools. If you are interested in Microsoft 365 or upgrading your existing package, please get in touch.
