Microsoft has announced security features designed to protect Office 365 and Azure users against a wide range of cyber threats. The security features were unveiled at this week's Microsoft Ignite conference in Orlando, Florida.
The new Microsoft security features include:
- Azure Confidential Computing: Makes Azure the first cloud service to provide a secure platform for protecting the confidentiality and integrity of data in use, the company claims. Azure confidential computing is now available as a public preview.
- Passwordless Login Support: Offers support for passwordless login via Microsoft Authenticator for Azure Active Directory apps.
- Secure Score: Provides cybersecurity assessments and recommendations to help organizations identify security vulnerabilities and explore ways to reduce the risk of data breaches.
- Threat Protection: Provides threat protection and auto-remediation across Office 365 email, PCs, identities and infrastructure to help organizations protect, detect and address cyber threats.
Microsoft is also investing in security talent. The company employs more than 3,500 full-time security professionals who use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to analyze over 6.5 trillion global signals every day, the company stated. It also offers global security infrastructure that blocks more than 5 billion distinct malware threats each month.
In addition, Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit works with global law enforcement agencies to address criminal botnets, according to the company. To date, this unit has rescued nearly 500 million devices from secret botnet control.
Microsoft Cybersecurity Moves
Microsoft has been busy on the cybersecurity front. In addition to this week's moves, Microsoft last month introduced Azure Virtual WAN and Azure Firewall services to help organizations manage network security across their end users, data and applications. These services allow organizations to stay connected to global branch offices and enforce network security polices in cloud environments.
Microsoft also launched four Threat Trackers for its Office 365 Threat Intelligence service in June. The Threat Trackers highlight new, notable and frequently searched security issues to help organizations identify ways to protect their Office 365 users against cyber threats.
