Microsoft 365 Security Update: What You Can Expect

Posted on: December 21, 2017

The end of the year is approaching quickly, but that doesn’t mean you can rest on your laurels and let security issues slide. Cyber threats are a very real and growing problem for businesses across the globe. Because Microsoft understands this threatening landscape, it has worked tirelessly to improve security and make it easier for IT administrators to have access to the tools they need to protect against and formulate a response against threats all while modernizing the workplace in ways that encourage employee productivity and creativity.

Case in point, the Windows 10 security update (Fall Creators Update) makes it a little bit easier for you to maintain a high level of security for your business data. Although the security update occurred at the end of October, we’ve found that many people are still a bit fuzzy on what all it entails. To clear the air, we’ve compiled a quick breakdown of what you can expect from this newest update:

1. Windows AutoPilot – This newly introduced cloud service allows any PC to become fully enterprise-ready. This simple out-of-the-box user experience can be personalized by IT in order to meet organizational desires without the need for manually provisioning Windows 10.
2. Windows Defender Application Guard – This easily turns Microsoft Edge into the most highly secure browser for businesses as its hardware isolates the browser from any apps, data, networks, and even from Windows itself. This means that if a user encounters any type of malware or hacking attempts, the remainder of the PC won’t be negatively impacted.
3. Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection – With this update, users have a single view across the entire Windows preventative protection security stack. This allows for protection, detection, and response to outside threats in a way that is much more manageable. In addition, the security analytics dashboard is a new feature which offers suggestions and recommendations for how to improve your business security posture.
4. Windows Defender Application Control – Using the same app control technology as Windows Defender Devise Guard, this update also removes all steep hardware, driver, and kernel mode software requirements.
5. Windows Defender Exploit Guard – Keep your devices safe against intrusion, from picking up malicious locations online, or from fileless attacks that use seemingly harmless content (such as documents) to do their dirty work. The export guard comes with a robust set of vulnerability mitigation elements built into the Windows 10 OS.
6. Controlled Folder Access – Within the Exploit Guard is controlled folder access that works to protect against any viruses or ransomware by exclusively allowing applications which have been deemed trustworthy to access protected folders and docs.
7. Windows Defender Antivirus – This utilizes the power of the cloud and AI to provide next-level antivirus support.
8. Windows Assigned Access – This allows enterprises to customize and commit Windows devices to the tasks and/or experiences of their choosing. These devices can also be managed remotely via cloud-based tools. This prevents devices from being used inappropriately and becoming vulnerable to threats.
9. Windows Hello – Improvements to Windows Hello include proximity, dynamic lock, location, and Intel Authentication.
10. Windows 10 Subscription Activation – This is what makes it easy for enterprises like yours to activate and start deploying all of these amazing features within Windows 10 Enterprise and Microsoft 365.

While cyber threats are a major issue for businesses like your own, there are always ways to improve and streamline your security so that you can operate as efficiently as possible. Learn more about the Fall Creators Update for Windows 10 by reaching out to the experts at Uncommon Solutions today. We will create a strategy for your business that will improve efficiency and provide a secure environment for all your technology needs.