Microsoft 365 Security Review for Small Businesses
A focused Microsoft 365 security audit and assessment for small businesses.
What Does a Microsoft 365 Audit From SNL-Tech Services Include?
A Microsoft 365 Audit from SNL-Tech Services provides a documented review of how your Microsoft 365 environment is currently configured, secured and managed. The assessment looks beyond whether Microsoft 365 is simply working and examines whether the tenant is set up appropriately for the way your business actually operates.
SNL-Tech Services reviews areas such as identity and administrative access, authentication, Conditional Access, email security, Microsoft Defender, Intune and device management, SharePoint, OneDrive, external sharing and other settings relevant to your Microsoft 365 licensing and environment.
This type of assessment may also be referred to as a Microsoft 365 Tenant Security Review because it focuses on the configuration and security of the Microsoft 365 tenant itself. Having Microsoft 365 licensing gives a business access to many security and management capabilities, but those capabilities still need to be configured, reviewed and maintained appropriately.
The assessment is designed to identify security gaps, configuration issues, unused capabilities and areas where the Microsoft 365 environment may not match the needs of the business.
You receive findings in plain language along with recommendations that SNL-Tech Services would prioritize based on the business, its licensing and the environment reviewed.
I also refer to this type of review as a Microsoft 365 Tenant Security Review because the purpose is to look beyond whether Microsoft 365 is simply working and understand how the tenant is actually configured, secured, and managed. Owning Microsoft 365 licensing gives a business access to security and management capabilities, but those capabilities still need to be appropriately configured and reviewed.
The result is a clear report documenting what I found, what needs attention, and the recommendations I would prioritize based on the business and its environment.
What Can Go Wrong Without a Microsoft 365 Audit?
Microsoft 365 can appear to be working normally even when important security and management settings have never been reviewed. Over time, users are added, licenses change, devices are replaced, sharing permissions expand and new Microsoft features become available. Without periodic review, the tenant can gradually drift away from how the business actually needs it to operate.
SNL-Tech Services may find issues such as multifactor authentication that is not consistently enforced, administrative access that is broader than necessary, Conditional Access policies that are missing or incomplete, external sharing that is too permissive, email protections that are not fully configured, unmanaged devices accessing company information or security capabilities included with existing licensing that are not being used.
These findings do not automatically mean the Microsoft 365 environment has been compromised. They mean the business may be relying on Microsoft 365 without having a clear understanding of how its security, access and management controls are currently configured.
A Microsoft 365 Audit from SNL-Tech Services helps establish that picture so the business can see what is working, what may need attention and which improvements should be prioritized.
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Who Is a Microsoft 365 Audit For?
A Microsoft 365 Audit is a good fit for small businesses that already use Microsoft 365 but are unsure whether the tenant has been configured and maintained appropriately.
It can be especially useful for businesses that originally set up Microsoft 365 themselves, inherited a tenant from a previous employee or IT provider, have grown without reviewing their original configuration, are preparing for a cyber insurance application or renewal, or want an independent review of their existing Microsoft 365 environment.
The assessment can also be useful for businesses with industry, customer or contractual requirements that need a clearer understanding of the technical controls currently configured in Microsoft 365.
If your business has experienced a security incident, suspicious sign in activity, email compromise or another close call, a Microsoft 365 Audit can also help identify configuration areas that deserve additional attention.
What Does SNL-Tech Services Review During a Microsoft 365 Audit?
Email Security Review
Email is one of the most common entry points into a small business, so SNL-Tech Services reviews how Microsoft 365 is protecting mailboxes, users and the business domain.
The review looks at multifactor authentication, suspicious forwarding rules, external access, anti phishing protections and the configuration of SPF, DKIM and DMARC. Where the business has Microsoft Defender capabilities available through its licensing, SNL-Tech Services also reviews protections such as impersonation detection, Safe Links, Safe Attachments and other email security settings.
The goal is to understand what protections are actually configured, where gaps may exist and whether the current setup matches the way the business uses email.
Identity, Administrative Access and Conditional Access
Microsoft 365 security starts with identity. SNL-Tech Services reviews how users and administrators authenticate, who has elevated privileges and what controls determine when and how someone can access company resources.
This includes reviewing multifactor authentication, administrative roles, Conditional Access policies, legacy authentication settings and other identity related controls that are available within the tenant's licensing.
Where appropriate, the review also looks at device requirements, geographic or location based access controls and whether administrative access is broader than necessary.
SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams and External Sharing
Microsoft 365 makes collaboration easy, but sharing settings can expand over time without anyone realizing how much access has been granted.
SNL-Tech Services reviews how SharePoint, OneDrive and Teams are being used to store and share business information. This includes external sharing, guest access, sharing links, permissions and other collaboration settings that may allow information to leave the organization.
The review also considers whether business data is being stored in appropriate locations and whether the current sharing model makes sense for the way employees, clients and outside partners actually work.
Data Protection, Retention and Information Handling
Microsoft 365 includes tools that can help businesses manage sensitive information, retention and data handling, but the available capabilities vary depending on licensing and configuration.
SNL-Tech Services reviews existing retention settings, data loss prevention policies and related protections where they are available and relevant to the business. The assessment also looks at whether Microsoft 365 is retaining or deleting information in a way that appears consistent with the business's documented requirements and operational needs.
For businesses with legal, regulatory or contractual requirements, the review can identify technical areas that may need additional attention. SNL-Tech Services does not provide a legal determination of how long information must be retained or certify regulatory compliance.
Audit Logging and Visibility
When something happens inside Microsoft 365, having usable activity records can be critical for understanding what occurred.
SNL-Tech Services reviews the audit and activity information available within the tenant, including the visibility provided for user activity, administrative changes, Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive and Teams. Available logging and retention periods depend on Microsoft licensing and the services being used.
Where appropriate, the review also considers capabilities such as eDiscovery and other investigation tools that may be available to the organization.
The purpose is to determine whether the business has enough visibility to investigate important activity and whether available logging capabilities are being used appropriately
Device Management and Microsoft Intune
If employees access company information from computers or mobile devices, the security of those devices becomes part of the Microsoft 365 environment.
Where Microsoft Intune or other Microsoft device management capabilities are available, SNL-Tech Services reviews device enrollment, compliance policies, encryption, update requirements, endpoint security and how device status is being used when users access company resources.
The review also looks for situations where unmanaged or personal devices may be accessing company information without the business having a clear policy or technical control in place.
Microsoft Defender and Endpoint Security
For businesses with applicable Microsoft Defender licensing, SNL-Tech Services reviews how Microsoft's security tools are configured and whether the business is taking advantage of protections already included in its subscription.
This may include endpoint protection, threat detection, email protections, security alerts and integrations between Defender, Intune and Microsoft Entra.
The purpose is not simply to confirm that a Defender license exists. It is to determine whether the available security capabilities have actually been configured and whether they make sense for the business environment
Microsoft 365 Licensing and Feature Alignment
Microsoft licensing changes frequently, and businesses sometimes pay for capabilities they are not using or assume they have protections that are not included in their current plan.
SNL-Tech Services reviews the Microsoft 365 licenses assigned to the business and compares them with the security, identity, device management and collaboration capabilities being used.
This can help identify unused features, licensing limitations and areas where the business may need to configure an existing capability before considering additional products or licensing.
Cyber Insurance and Compliance Related Considerations
Microsoft 365 controls are often referenced during cyber insurance applications, customer security reviews and compliance related assessments.
SNL-Tech Services reviews technical controls that may be relevant to those discussions, such as multifactor authentication, Conditional Access, email security, device management, encryption, logging and access control.
The assessment can help document what is actually configured and identify areas that may need additional attention. It does not determine insurance eligibility, guarantee coverage or certify that the business complies with a particular law, regulation or contractual requirement.
What You Get From a Microsoft 365 Audit From SNL-Tech Services
Written Microsoft 365 Audit Report
A documented review of your Microsoft 365 environment that explains the configuration areas reviewed, key findings, identified gaps and recommendations from SNL-Tech Services.
Executive Summary
A plain language overview for business owners and decision makers that explains what appears to be working well, what needs attention and which Microsoft 365 improvements should be prioritized.
Detailed Configuration Review
Documentation of the Microsoft 365 areas reviewed, including identity and administrative access, email security, Conditional Access, Microsoft Defender, device management, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, external sharing, retention, logging and other relevant settings based on the tenant and licensing.
Gap Analysis
Identified security, configuration, management and documentation gaps, along with an explanation of why each finding matters to the business.
Prioritized Action Plan
A sequenced list of recommended improvements so you can see what should be addressed first, what can be planned for later and where additional investigation or configuration work may be needed.
Cyber Insurance and Compliance Related Findings
Documentation of technical controls that may be relevant to cyber insurance applications, customer security reviews or compliance related work. SNL-Tech Services does not determine insurance eligibility, coverage or legal compliance.
Review Call With SNL-Tech Services
A 30 minute consultation to walk through the findings, answer questions and discuss practical next steps
Pricing
Starting at $995
Pricing is based on the size and complexity of the Microsoft 365 environment, number of users, licensing, services in use and the scope of the review. Final scope and pricing are confirmed before the audit begins.
Timeline
Most Microsoft 365 Audits are completed within 1 to 2 weeks after the required access and information are available. Timing may vary based on the size and complexity of the tenant, the Microsoft services being reviewed and how quickly requested information can be provided.
Once the audit is complete, you receive the written documentation and a 30 minute review call with SNL-Tech Services to walk through the findings and discuss next steps.
What Happens After a Microsoft 365 Audit From SNL-Tech Services?
Once the audit is complete, the documentation is yours to use in the way that best supports your business.
You can use it to:
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Plan and prioritize Microsoft 365 configuration and security improvements
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Support cyber insurance preparation or renewal discussions
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Review findings with your current IT provider
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Use the recommendations as the foundation for implementation work with SNL-Tech Services
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Support future cybersecurity, technology or compliance related planning
The Microsoft 365 Audit stands on its own. There is no requirement to hire SNL-Tech Services for remediation, ongoing support or Managed IT Services after the audit is complete.
Need Ongoing Microsoft 365 Management?
If the review identifies areas that need continued attention, SNL-Tech Services can also provide ongoing Microsoft 365 Management & Security. This can include Microsoft Entra ID, Conditional Access, Intune, Defender, security recommendations, Secure Score, licensing, user and device management, and other areas of the Microsoft 365 environment.
Microsoft 365 Audit FAQs
What is the difference between a Microsoft 365 Audit and ongoing Microsoft 365 management?
A Microsoft 365 Audit is a standalone review of how your tenant is currently configured, secured and managed. SNL-Tech Services documents the findings and provides prioritized recommendations.
Ongoing management is different. It may include continued monitoring, security policy changes, user administration, device management, licensing oversight and ongoing support.
You do not need to become a Managed IT client to purchase the audit.
Do I need Microsoft 365 Business Premium for the audit?
No. SNL-Tech Services can review the Microsoft 365 licensing and services you currently have.
Part of the audit is understanding which capabilities are available in your existing licensing, which protections are already configured and where licensing may limit certain security or management features.
The audit does not automatically mean you need to upgrade your Microsoft 365 licensing.
Will SNL-Tech Services need Global Administrator access?
Administrative access is usually required to properly review the Microsoft 365 tenant, but the exact level of access depends on the environment and the areas included in the audit.
SNL-Tech Services will identify the access needed before the review begins and can discuss appropriate ways to provide temporary or limited administrative access where possible.
Does a Microsoft 365 Audit mean my tenant is insecure?
No. The purpose of the audit is to establish a clear picture of how Microsoft 365 is currently configured.
The review may identify security or management gaps, but it can also confirm controls that are already working appropriately. The goal is to document the current state and determine where attention may be useful.
Does the audit certify Microsoft 365 compliance?
No. A Microsoft 365 Audit can identify and document technical controls that may relate to regulatory, contractual or industry requirements, but it does not certify legal or regulatory compliance.
Businesses with specific compliance obligations may also need guidance from legal counsel, compliance professionals or other appropriate advisers.
Can the audit help with cyber insurance?
Yes, it can help document technical controls that are commonly discussed during cyber insurance applications and renewals, such as multifactor authentication, Conditional Access, email security, device management, encryption and administrative access.
SNL-Tech Services does not determine insurance eligibility, coverage, pricing or claim decisions. Those remain with the insurer, broker or other insurance professional.
What if I already have an IT provider managing Microsoft 365?
That is fine. The audit can provide an independent review of the tenant and documentation you can use when discussing findings with your existing IT provider.
You are not required to move your Microsoft 365 management to SNL-Tech Services after the audit.
Will SNL-Tech Services make changes during the audit?
The Microsoft 365 Audit is primarily a review and documentation service. Configuration changes or remediation are not automatically included unless they are specifically added to the scope.
If important issues are discovered, SNL-Tech Services can explain the findings and discuss options for addressing them.
What if the audit identifies serious security gaps?
The findings will be organized by priority so you can see what deserves immediate attention and what can be planned for later.
You can make the changes internally, work with your current IT provider or ask SNL-Tech Services to assist with remediation.
How long does a Microsoft 365 Audit take?
Most Microsoft 365 Audits are completed within approximately one to two weeks after the required access and information are available.
Timing can vary based on tenant size, licensing, the Microsoft services in use and the complexity of the environment.
What happens after the Microsoft 365 Audit is complete?
You receive the written audit documentation, findings and prioritized action plan, followed by a review with SNL-Tech Services to discuss the results and answer questions.
The documentation belongs to your business and can be used for internal planning, security improvements, cyber insurance preparation, compliance related work, conversations with your existing IT provider or future work with SNL-Tech Services.