Microsolve Business IT Insights

Why A Certified Partner is Your Best Bet for Microsoft 365 Security

Written by Dale Jenkins | 18 August 2025 1:30:00 AM

Let’s talk about Microsoft 365 security and why DIY just doesn’t cut it!

Microsoft 365 is a true business powerhouse, but keeping it secure isn’t exactly child’s play. It’s tempting to just let your in-house IT team “figure it out”, do some DIY button clicking, or worse still, hand the God mode “Global Admin” password around like a spare office key. But these shortcuts can leave your business open to disaster, with risks ranging from accidental lockouts to full-on cyberattacks.

Let’s explore why your security is stronger (and your sleep is sounder) when you trust a well-prepared and certified Microsoft partner, like Microsolve, rather than going it alone.

The Hidden Risks of DIY Microsoft 365 Security

1. Security Complexity Isn’t Obvious Until Something Breaks
Setting up security for Microsoft 365 isn’t just about ticking a couple of boxes. It involves approximately 180 different settings across such areas as:

  • multi-factor authentication;
  • conditional access;
  • admin role management;
  • alerting;
  • data protection and tagging; and
  • zero-trust policies.
These settings are continually updated, revised and added to by Microsoft. Miss just one critical detail and it is like leaving the back door wide open!

2. Shared “Global Admin” Accounts Are Accidents Waiting to Happen
When multiple people use the same super-user login:

  • There’s no clear record of who did what (bad for tracking mistakes or breaches);
  • You can’t enforce accountability (everyone has equal power to make, or break, things); and
  • If the password is leaked or someone leaves, you may not even know there’s an intruder

3. Keeping Up With Evolving Threats Is a Full-Time Job
Cybercrooks are clever. They constantly invent new attack tricks, from phishing scams to ransomware. Staying ahead of them means actively monitoring news, following updates from Microsoft, and quickly adjusting settings. And let’s be honest, very few in-house IT teams have time for that, let alone the small business owner trying to DIY to save a few dollars!

What a Certified Partner Like Microsolve Brings to the Table

1. Proven Processes, Not Guesswork
Microsolve follows industry best practices for every single M365 deployment and support task. No hope-for-the-best shortcuts. We utilise specialist tools that continually monitor and update settings to maintain compliance with recommended practices.

2. Dedicated Break-Glass Emergency Access
Instead of “shared admin passwords,” true experts like Microsolve establish (and securely store) special emergency accounts, set up according to Microsoft and government guidelines. These accounts have ONE purpose only - to ensures that, even in a crisis, only the correctly authorised experts can get in, and every access is logged and reviewed.

3. Admin tasks use restricted, partner specific accounts
Microsolve techs utilise cross-account Granular Delegated Admin Privilege (GDAP) accounts - ie: they login with their OWN personally secured account that is provided with just the permissions needed to complete the task required - they don't have access to, nor do they need the use the "Global Admin" or "Breakglass" accounts.  Oh, and each of our techs have to use phishing resistant hardware security devices (Yubikeys) to validate their access.

4. Ongoing Monitoring & Compliance
Microsolve doesn’t just set things up and walk away. We monitor security alerts, automatically run regular audits, and review admin activities to quickly identify suspicious behavior or unsafe settings.

5. Accountability and Audit Trails
Every admin action can be traced back to an individual. That means total visibility, better compliance with regulations, and much easier investigations if something ever goes wrong.

6. Always-On Updates and Support
With a certified and trusted Partner, you won’t fall behind as security needs change or new features roll out. Advice and updates are proactive, not reactive.


Questions You Should Ask Your MSP Right Now

Whether you work with Microsolve or any other provider, use these questions to start a transparent conversation about the security of YOUR Microsoft 365 environment:

  • How are emergency access accounts (“break-glass accounts”) set up and monitored in my M365 environment?
  • Does each admin use a uniquely named account, or do you share Global Admin passwords?
  • How often do you review and update M365 security settings, like multifactor authentication and conditional access for client accounts and for your own accounts?
  • What steps are taken to document and audit all admin actions?
  • How do you keep up with evolving best practices and technology changes from Microsoft?
  • If my business faced a ransomware attack or lockout, what’s your process for rapid recovery and proof of compliance?
  • How will you help us prepare for and pass security audits or compliance checks?

Microsolve bases all Microsoft 365 management and support on these very best practices, meaning your business gets top-tier protection, compliance and peace of mind without needing an internal security team on call 24/7.

The Bottom Line

Securing your business data in Microsoft 365 isn’t a “set and forget” job, and it’s certainly not about sharing admin logins, or having clients trusted with a Global Admin account! It’s a continuous, expert-led process. The right Microsoft Partner is your best insurance against both everyday mishaps and worst-case attack scenarios.

Ready for a conversation about your Microsoft 365 security? Start with the questions above. You deserve clear, confident answers.