Challenge #10

Enhance Privacy in Microsoft Teams Meetings

Elevate your Teams meetings security by configuring settings to prevent anonymous user participation. Ensure your meetings are safe spaces for open and secure discussions.

a secure computer, maybe hosting a microsoft teams meeting

Why?

Today, virtual meetings are the norm, and ensuring the sanctity and privacy of these discussions becomes imperative, especially when sensitive information is shared. The necessity to restrict anonymous users from joining Microsoft Teams meetings is not just about maintaining order; it’s about safeguarding against uninvited and potentially harmful participants.

Reflecting on the early days of 2020, when unvetted guests frequently disrupted online meetings, we recognize the importance of stringent controls. By adjusting Teams settings to prevent anonymous users from joining, we put the power back into the hands of the meeting organizer, ensuring only verified individuals can participate. This step is particularly vital for meetings dealing with confidential company matters and is part of our larger strategy to uphold rigorous security across all communication channels.

How?

Ensuring your Microsoft Teams meetings are shielded from anonymous access involves a few key steps.

Step 1: Go to the Microsoft Teams Admin Center

On your computer, launch a new browser window (Edge, Chrome), and type in https://admin.teams.microsoft.com and press enter.

Note: You will require Microsoft 365 administrative credentials – be sure to have the username and password ready.

Step 2: Adjust Meeting Policies

Within the Microsoft Teams Admin Center:

Look for and select Meetings on the left-hand menu
Under Meetings, select Meeting Policies

Step 3: Modify Global Settings

Within the Meeting policies window, select the Global (Org-wide default) policy
Scroll down until you see Meeting join & lobby
Disable/turn off Anonymous users can join a meeting
Now only invited and authenticated users can enter your meetings
Click Save