Challenge #6
Implement Malware Alerting System
Strengthen your internal security with a malware alerting system in Microsoft 365. Be instantly informed when internal users send malware-infected files.
Why?
Cybersecurity isn’t just about warding off external threats; it’s equally crucial to keep an eye on what happens inside your digital domain. Despite having a robust external defense with Exchange Online Protection (EOP), internal threats, often accidental, can pose a significant risk. Imagine a situation where an employee unknowingly sends a malware-infected file. Without immediate detection, this can escalate into a substantial security breach.
This is where an internal malware alerting system becomes invaluable. It acts like a vigilant sentinel, immediately informing your IT security team if such an incident occurs. This rapid response system isn’t just about reacting to threats; it’s a proactive tool for swift action and thorough investigation. It ensures that a minor incident doesn’t snowball into a major crisis. By implementing this, you involve everyone in your organization in the collective effort of maintaining cybersecurity, reinforcing the idea that security is a shared responsibility.
How?
Activating a malware alerting system in Microsoft 365 is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can set it up to keep your internal communications secure:
Step 1: Go to the Microsoft 365 Defender Portal
On your computer, launch a new browser window (Edge, Chrome), and type in https://security.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 Email & Collaboration Policies
Within the Microsoft Defender Center:
- Look for and select Email & Collaboration along the left-hand side menu
- Under Email & Collaboration, look for and select Policies & rules
- In the Policies & rules window, select Threat policies
Step 3: Edit Anti-malware Settings
- Within the Threat policies window, under Policies, find and select Anti-malware
- Within the Anti-malware window, select the Default (Default) policy
Step 4: Configure Notifications
- Now with the Default policy open, scroll down and select Edit protection settings
- Under Notifications and Admin notifications, check the box to Notify an admin about undelivered messages from internal senders
- Now specific an admin email address to receive the notifications and alerts
- If you’d like, you could also enable customized notification text but, for now, you’ll be fine with just the default notifications
Step 5: Save Your Settings
- Once you are satisfied, click Save.
While you’re here…
Cloud Journey #4: Cloud File Sharing and Storage
Cloud-based file sharing is a natural foundation for any company’s journey to the cloud. It requires minimal change, and you get a fast return on investment. Plus, because file sharing touches every department and process, you make a big impact with very little cost or effort.
Cloud Journey #3: Your Cloud Journey
It’s important to think of your move to the cloud as a planned journey instead of an overnight switch. And, as with all journeys, the key is to establish where you are, where you want to be and how you’ll get there.
Cloud Journey #2: Outdated IT is Weighing you Down
Information technologies, from PCs and networks to the internet and smartphones, have given a massive boost to growing businesses. But today, many companies are struggling to manage and maintain all of the technologies they’ve acquired over time; forced to throw more and more time, money and resources at IT instead of into their core business, ending up less secure and less productive. The cloud changes all that.