Many business owners are uneasy about relinquishing physical possession of the hardware that houses their data; after all, it is habit. Just like your on-premises datacenters, information stored in the cloud is vulnerable to threats from numerous sources; however, cloud providers, like Microsoft, have far more resources to devote to fighting off these threats. All the advanced security measures in Office 365 actually make your data a lot safer than it would be on-premises. In this post we will discuss four beneficial security features offered by Microsoft Office 365.
All of Microsoft's physical storage components come into the facilities sealed securely in shipping containers, where they will remain for as long as they are in use. Data stored on physical disks is encrypted. Microsoft does not disclose their facilities location to the public, so it would be an adventure just to find the physical location of Office 365 servers.
It's true; many cloud platforms will abuse your information to target ads (think Facebook and Gmail); however, you will not have to worry about this with Microsoft Office 365. Microsoft may use the data to improve the overall experience, but your personal and business data will not be shared. This does not mean that they will access your actual content; your personal mailbox or OneDrive for business files will never be accessed without your permission. The only data that will be collected will be data that's centered around how you use features. Microsoft uses this data to improve the service for future users.
Credentials identity are essential in the online world, as they help to prove you are who you say you are. Office 365 ensures that users require a strong password to make sure a simple brute force attack doesn't lead to a security breach. If you would prefer more protection, you can also enable something called "multi-factor authentication" With this feature turned on, users will have an extra layer of security other than the plain old password.
With Microsoft Office 365, you have the ability to control what is seen within your organization. For example, if you have a secret document you would like to keep private, you will be able to do so. Privacy settings are available as both an administrator and as a regular user.
If you are still concerned about Office 365's security and privacy features, check out our post, "Is My Data Really Secure In Microsoft Office 365?".
Kelser can help you transition from your on premise or hosted email solution to Office 365. Kelser knows how to ensure a smooth conversion while making sure that business-critical functionality is maintained. We also know how to help you to further leverage Office 365 within your organization so that you can save additional costs.