Secure Score improvement
Prioritised remediation of Microsoft Secure Score recommendations, balancing risk reduction with user impact.
Service
Security Hardening & Compliance
Measurably stronger security, aligned to Cyber Essentials and Microsoft Secure Score.
Security is rarely lost to one dramatic failure. It erodes through default settings, legacy authentication, unmanaged devices and permissions nobody has reviewed.
I harden Microsoft 365 and endpoint environments against Cyber Essentials controls and Microsoft Secure Score, using Defender, SentinelOne, Bitdefender GravityZone and conditional access. I follow current threats closely and publish practical guidance, including on session token theft and permission changes, on my blog.
Common challenges
- A low or unknown Microsoft Secure Score
- MFA that is enabled but not phishing-resistant or consistently enforced
- Legacy protocols and default settings left in place
- Several security tools with gaps between them
- Preparing for Cyber Essentials without a clear plan
What's included
Cyber Essentials alignment
Devices, identity and network configuration reviewed and hardened against Cyber Essentials controls.
Identity protection
Conditional access, MFA and phishing-resistant authentication, plus token and session revocation procedures.
Endpoint protection
Deployment and tuning of Microsoft Defender, SentinelOne and Bitdefender GravityZone across device estates.
Email security
Mail filtering and protection, including Proofpoint Essentials and Microsoft 365 native controls.
Least-privilege access
Admin roles, application permissions and Microsoft Graph consent reviewed and reduced to what is required.
Approach
Baseline
Measure the current position against Secure Score and Cyber Essentials controls.
Prioritise
Rank findings by risk and user impact into a practical remediation plan.
Harden
Apply changes in controlled stages, communicating anything users will notice.
Maintain
Track the score over time and review new threats and Microsoft changes as they emerge.
Proven in practice
- Security hardening against Cyber Essentials and Microsoft Secure Score for managed services clients
- Endpoint protection across SentinelOne, Microsoft Defender, Bitdefender GravityZone, Webroot and Symantec
- Email security with Proofpoint Essentials
- Firewall administration on Sophos and Cyberoam, including VPN, users and rule sets
Technologies
- Microsoft Defender
- Microsoft Secure Score
- Conditional Access
- Entra ID
- SentinelOne
- Bitdefender GravityZone
- Proofpoint Essentials
- BitLocker
- Sophos Firewall
Tools change. Good engineering doesn't. I work with the platforms already in place and adapt quickly to new ones.
Frequently asked questions
What is Microsoft Secure Score?
It is Microsoft's measurement of your security posture across Microsoft 365, identity and devices, with recommended actions. Improving it methodically reduces real risk rather than simply raising a number.
Does MFA stop account takeover?
It stops most password-based attacks, but some phishing techniques capture session tokens after MFA succeeds. Phishing-resistant methods, conditional access and device controls close those gaps.
Can you help us prepare for Cyber Essentials?
Yes. I review your configuration against the Cyber Essentials controls and remediate gaps across devices, identity and network, so you are ready for assessment.
Related services
Discuss your requirements
Share the details of your Security Hardening & Compliance project and I will outline a practical approach for your environment.
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