Cybersecurity is Serious Business (But It Doesn’t Have to Be Scary!)
Did you know that cybercrime is projected to cost organizations globally a whopping $10.5 trillion annually by 2025? Yes, trillion—with a T! It's enough to make even the most tech-savvy business owner break into a cold sweat. But here's the good news: safeguarding your business doesn't need to be overly complicated or intimidating.
Enter CIS Microsoft Benchmarks—your friendly guide through the cybersecurity jungle. These benchmarks offer clearly defined, practical guidelines designed specifically to help businesses secure their Microsoft environments. Think of CIS Benchmarks as your trusty GPS, leading you safely past the cybersecurity pitfalls and straight toward a robust defense against threats.
But what exactly are CIS Benchmarks, and how can they help you achieve a safer digital workspace? Let's dive in!
What Are CIS Benchmarks?
At their core, CIS Benchmarks are community-driven, standardized best practices for cybersecurity. Developed by cybersecurity experts worldwide, these benchmarks provide clear, step-by-step guidance for securely configuring your technology from operating systems and cloud platforms to databases and network devices. Essentially, they’re your go-to cybersecurity "recipe book," showing you precisely how to harden your systems against cyber threats.
Why follow CIS Benchmarks? They're not just useful guidelines, they align closely with essential industry security standards, including the widely recognized NIST 800-171 and the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). By following these benchmarks, your organization not only boosts its security posture but also smoothly checks off crucial compliance requirements.
Curious to learn more? You can explore detailed benchmarks directly from the official Center for Internet Security website.
Understanding the CIS Microsoft 365 Foundations Benchmark
If your organization uses Microsoft 365 (and let’s be honest, most do these days), securing it properly isn’t optional, it’s essential. While Microsoft does a stellar job securing the platform, the final line of defense is still you. That’s where the CIS Microsoft 365 Foundations Benchmark comes into play.
This benchmark was developed in collaboration with Microsoft and offers prescriptive guidance on how to configure Microsoft 365 securely right from the get-go. Think of it as your blueprint for building a solid cybersecurity foundation within Microsoft’s ecosystem, before attackers even have a chance to knock.
Why is this important? Because 82% of breaches involve human error, misconfigurations, or credential issues (Verizon DBIR 2024). The CIS Benchmark helps organizations tighten up these areas with actionable steps, no guesswork needed.
Looking for the actual benchmark? You can find it here: CIS Microsoft 365 Foundations Benchmark.
Key CIS Microsoft 365 Benchmark Levels
Not all organizations need Fort Knox-level security and that’s okay. The CIS Microsoft 365 Foundations Benchmark gives you flexibility by offering two distinct security levels. Think of it like choosing between “Secure” and “Super Secure,” depending on your business needs.
🔐 Level 1: Basic Security (Low Impact, High Value)
Designed for every organization, regardless of size or industry.
- Minimal impact on daily operations.
- Ideal starting point to protect against common threats.
- Examples: Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), secure password policies.
🛡️ Level 2: Advanced Security (Higher Security, Possible Trade-Offs)
Recommended for organizations dealing with sensitive data or higher compliance requirements.
- May introduce some limitations in user experience or functionality.
- Examples: Stricter application control policies, advanced audit logging.
This tiered approach ensures you're not overcomplicating security or underestimating risk. You can read more about benchmark levels on the official CIS Levels Overview page.
Critical Sections of the Microsoft 365 CIS Benchmark
The Microsoft 365 CIS Benchmark isn’t just a single set of rules, it’s a comprehensive guide with 60+ security controls across 7 key areas. Let’s break them down into bite-sized bits:
🔑 Account & Authentication Policies
Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all users.
- Limit and monitor global admin roles.
- Prevent easy wins for attackers with stronger login protections.
📱 Application Permissions
Review and restrict app access to your data.
- Control OAuth permissions to prevent risky third-party apps from overreaching.
🔒 Data Management
Set up proper data classification and encryption policies.
- Ensure only authorized users access sensitive files.
📧 Email Security / Exchange Online
Block spoofed domains and phishing attempts.
- Use anti-malware and anti-spam filters effectively.
🕵️ Auditing Policies
Enable audit logging across Microsoft 365.
- Ensure you can trace who did what, and when just in case.
🗂️ Storage Policies
Configure OneDrive and SharePoint access controls.
- Prevent data leakage with sharing restrictions and alerts.
📲 Mobile Device Management (MDM)
Control access from smartphones and tablets.
- Support BYOD securely with tools like Intune and compliance policies.
Each of these sections is designed to work together like gears in a machine tightening security without locking down productivity. Want a full breakdown of the benchmark? Check it out here: CIS Microsoft 365 Benchmark PDF.
Implementation and Assessment Tools
Reading a benchmark is one thing, implementing it without stress? That’s where the right tools come in.
- Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager
This feature in Microsoft 365 helps you assess your compliance posture against frameworks like CIS, NIST, and CMMC. It assigns real-time scores, highlights gaps, and offers step-by-step guidance. - CIS-CAT Pro Assessor
An automated tool to scan and report on your configuration versus the CIS Benchmarks, a cybersecurity inspector on-call. - Microsoft Secure Score
Provides a dynamic score for your organization’s security configuration and practical recommendations for improvement.
These tools simplify the process of turning a 60-page benchmark into actionable security improvements with less guesswork and more peace of mind.
Bonus: Check out this SANS Institute guide for practical CIS implementation tips.
Importance of Regular Updates
The cyber threat landscape changes almost as fast as your favorite app gets updated. That’s why sticking with the same old security settings is risky business! The Center for Internet Security (CIS) regularly revises its benchmarks based on new threats, technology changes, and expert community input.
- Stat alert: Organizations with regularly updated security policies can reduce the average cost of a data breach by up to 30%.
- Stay proactive: Sign up for the CIS Workbench to get alerts on the latest benchmark updates and best practices.
- Stay current with Microsoft Security advisories.
Remember, the most secure organizations are those that keep learning and adapting not just checking the box once.
Tailoring CIS Benchmarks to Your Needs
While CIS Benchmarks are a fantastic starting point, remember: every organization is unique. Factors like your industry, data sensitivity, and compliance needs (think healthcare, finance, or government) all play a role in your ideal security setup.
- For example, if you’re a Department of Defense contractor, you’ll need to go beyond the basics for CMMC compliance.
- 60% of organizations customize security controls to fit their specific risks and regulatory requirements.
CIS Benchmarks are your roadmap but don’t be afraid to take some detours to fit your unique journey. For more, explore ISACA’s guide on customizing cybersecurity controls.
How Communication Square Can Support Your Organization
Navigating CIS Benchmarks and Microsoft security settings can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go it alone. At Communication Square, we specialize in turning complex cybersecurity frameworks into practical, tailored solutions for your business.
How we help:
- Comprehensive Security Assessments: We evaluate your Microsoft 365 environment against the latest CIS Benchmarks and industry standards.
- Customized Implementation Plans: Whether you need basic protection or advanced compliance (CMMC, NIST, HIPAA), we design a step-by-step plan to fit your needs.
- Ongoing Monitoring & Support: Our team provides regular checkups, proactive updates, and fast support—so you’re always one step ahead of cyber threats.
Want to see what a stronger security posture looks like for your business? Just ask! You can also read more about Microsoft Security Best Practices.
Ready to Strengthen Your Security?
There’s no better time than now to boost your Microsoft 365 security with CIS Benchmark best practices. Whether you’re just starting or looking to level up your compliance game, taking action today helps you stay a step ahead of evolving threats.
Don’t wait for a breach to make cybersecurity a priority.
Let Communication Square’s experts help you assess, implement, and maintain the perfect security setup for your unique needs.
👉 Schedule your free security consultation with Communication Square today!
Or, explore more about our Microsoft Data Protection Services.
Last Updated 3 days ago
