Here’s a quick guide to help you set up Microsoft Defender and configure Exchange policies to secure your organization’s email and data:
1. Set Up Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Step 1: Assign Licenses
- Ensure your organization has the necessary licenses for Microsoft Defender for Office 365.
- Assign licenses to the required users through the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Step 2: Configure Microsoft Defender
- Access Security & Compliance Center:
- Navigate to Microsoft Security.
- Log in with admin credentials.
- Set Up Threat Policies:
- Go to Policies & Rules > Threat Policies.
- Configure the following:
- Anti-Phishing Policy: Protect users from phishing attacks.
- Anti-Spam Policy: Block spam and unwanted email.
- Anti-Malware Policy: Ensure emails and files are scanned for malware.
Step 3: Configure Safe Links and Safe Attachments
- Safe Links: Protect users from malicious URLs in emails.
- Navigate to Safe Links, and define which links should be scanned or blocked.
- Safe Attachments: Scan email attachments for threats.
- Turn on and enforce the Safe Attachments policy.
Step 4: Enable Real-Time Reporting
- Monitor threats using the Threat Explorer and Real-Time Reports for a comprehensive overview of email activity.
2. Configure Exchange Online Policies
Step 1: Access Exchange Admin Center
- Go to Exchange Admin Center and log in with admin credentials.
Step 2: Set Up Mail Flow Rules (Transport Rules)
- Navigate to Mail Flow > Rules.
- Add rules to control and secure email flow:
- Block specific file types or extensions (e.g., .exe, .bat).
- Redirect suspicious emails for admin review.
- Encrypt sensitive emails automatically.
Step 3: Enable Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
- Use DLP policies to protect sensitive information like credit card numbers or personal identification data.
- Go to Compliance Center > Data Loss Prevention.
- Create a policy to monitor, alert, or block the sharing of sensitive information.
Step 4: Configure Outbound Spam Protection
- Prevent compromised accounts from sending spam:
- Navigate to Protection > Outbound Spam.
- Set thresholds for outbound email limits and enable alerts for suspicious activity.
3. Additional Security Recommendations
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
- Enforce MFA for all users to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
- Set up MFA through Azure Active Directory in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
- Quarantine Notifications:
- Configure quarantine notifications to inform users of emails blocked by policies.
- Audit Logs:
- Enable and review audit logs to monitor changes and access to sensitive data.
By following these steps, you’ll establish a secure environment for your organization, safeguarding emails and sensitive data against common threats. If you’d like a detailed policy checklist or further customization, let me know!
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