Office 365 Security and Effective Hybrid Management Using Native Tools

Sahil Verma
Sahil Verma linkedin | Updated On - November 04, 2022 |

Read time: 6 minutes

Security is a top concern for any organization using Office 365. And although Microsoft provides some powerful security features natively in Office 365, many organizations find that they need additional help to properly secure their data and maintain compliance.

The same is true for hybrid deployments, which combine on-premises Exchange with Office 365. Although Microsoft offers some guidance for hybrid management, it can be difficult to manage a hybrid deployment effectively without the right tools in place.

In this guide, we will look at some of the native security features in Office 365, as well as some considerations for using a hybrid approach to managing your Office 365 deployment. We will also provide some tips on choosing the right tools to help you secure and manage your Office 365 deployment, whether you are using a hybrid or all-cloud approach.

Native Tools for Office 365 & Hybrid Management

Microsoft provides a number of native tools that can be used to manage Office 365 security and compliance. These include the Security & Compliance Center, Azure Active Directory (AD), Microsoft Intune & more.

  • The Security & Compliance Center is a central location for managing security and compliance in Office 365. It includes features such as data loss prevention (DLP), eDiscovery, retention policies, and auditing. The Security & Compliance Center can be accessed by admins from the Office 365 admin center.
  • Azure AD is Microsoft’s cloud-based directory service. It is used to manage user identities and access to resources, such as Office 365. Azure AD offers capabilities such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and device management.
  • Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution. You can use it to manage mobile devices accessing Office 365 resources. Microsoft Intune offers device configuration, app management, and security management. You can protect your Office 365 mailbox from ransomware attacks, virus & other threats.
Benefits of Using Native Tools for Office 365
  1. Reduced Complexity
    By using native tools to manage Office 365 security and compliance, you can avoid the need to deploy and manage additional third-party solutions. This can help to reduce the overall complexity of your environment.
  2. Increased Visibility
    The Security & Compliance Center provides a central location for monitoring the security of your Office 365 deployment. It can be helpful in identifying and resolving potential threats quickly.
  3. Improved Performance
    Azure AD and Microsoft Intune are designed to work with Office 365 and can provide enhanced performance when compared to third-party solutions.
  4. Better Integration
    Native tools for Office 365 security and management offer better integration with other Microsoft products and services. This can make it easier to manage a hybrid deployment that includes both on-premises and cloud-based resources.
  5. Cost Savings
    By using native tools, you can avoid the need to purchase and deploy additional third-party solutions. This can lead to cost savings for your organization.
  6. Better Flexibility
    The native tools offer increased flexibility than third-party solutions. For example, you can use Azure AD to manage user identities for both on-premises and cloud-based resources.
Are Native Tools Sufficient to Manage Office 365 Properly?

No single security solution is perfect, and Office 365 is no exception. Although Microsoft offers a number of native tools that can be used to secure and manage an Office 365 deployment, there are some limitations to consider.

  1. Limited Control
    Native tools provide limited control. For example, you cannot use the Security & Compliance Center to block specific users from accessing Office 365 resources.
  2. Lack of Customization
    The security features in Office 365 are designed to meet the needs of a broad range of customers. As such, they may lack the flexibility to be customized to meet the specific needs of your organization.
  3. Complexity
    The native tools for Office 365 management can be complex to deploy and manage. This can make it difficult to get the most out of them. In case you are struggling with Office 365 connectivity issues, look for technical support.
  4. Limited Support
    Microsoft offers limited support for the native tools for Office 365 security and management. If you encounter problems, you may need to rely on community forums or paid support options.
  5. Incompatibility
    The Office 365 native tools may not be compatible with all versions of Office 365. For example, the Security & Compliance Center is available in Office 365 Enterprise E5 plan.
    Despite these limitations, native tools are still the best option for managing Office 365 security and compliance. They offer a number of benefits that outweigh the drawbacks. When used correctly, they can help to keep your Office 365 deployment secure and compliant.

    If you are looking for a comprehensive security solution for Office 365, we recommend that you consider a hybrid approach that combines native tools with third-party solutions. This can give you the best of both worlds by providing the flexibility and control of third-party solutions with the simplicity and cost savings of native tools.

Considering a Hybrid Approach

When deciding how to best manage your Office 365 deployment, you may want to consider a hybrid approach. A hybrid approach can provide you with the benefits of both on-premises and cloud-based management tools. By using a hybrid approach, you can more effectively manage your Office 365 deployment while still maintaining control over your data. If you are considering a hybrid approach for managing Office 365, there are a few things that you should keep in mind:

  • You will need to deploy and manage both on-premises and cloud-based management tools.
  • It is important that your on-premises and cloud-based management tools are compatible with each other.
  • Ensure that you have a plan for how you will manage user access to both on-premises and cloud-based resources.
  • You should make sure your data is backed up and secured both on-premises and in the cloud.
  • Prepare a plan for how you will migrate data between on-premises and cloud-based storage.

By considering a hybrid approach for managing Office 365, you can more effectively utilize both on-premises and cloud-based management tools. This can help you to manage your Office 365 deployment more effectively while still maintaining control over your data. Moreover, look out here in case you are seeking for free Office 365 Backup Methods.

Office 365 Backup: An Added Security Measure

We have now witnessed the rise and fall of Native tools for Office 365 Security & Management. So, will not it be best to keep an extra layer of protection with Office 365 data backup. For Sure, 100% Yes. We are here to help you through with an easy tool to backup Office 365 data: Kernel Export Office 365 to PST.

This tool offers a number of features that make it an ideal solution for backing up Office 365 data. First, it allows users to perform an unlimited number of backups in a variety of formats, including PST, HTML, PDF, MSG, DOC, and DOCX. Additionally, the tool provides automated backup capabilities using an inbuilt CSV file. This allows users to schedule backups according to their needs and ensure that their data is always protected.

Furthermore, the tool includes smart filters that allow users to choose which data they would like to include in their backup. Finally, the tool preserves the folder hierarchy in a separate folder so that users can easily access their backed-up data. All these features make this Tool an essential tool for any user who needs to protect their Office 365 data.

Last Say

While native tools are a good starting point for managing Office 365 security and hybrid deployments, they may not be enough. It is important to consider additional solutions that can provide the extra protection and management you need. By taking a comprehensive approach to security and hybrid management, using both native and third-party tools, organizations can ensure that their Office 365 implementation is as secure and effective as possible.

Moreover, we offer the best Office 365 backup tool to supplement what you already have in place. With our help, you can rest assured that your data is safe, and your systems are running smoothly. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get the most out of Office 365.