Microsoft 365 Security Baseline for Admins: Intune, Defender, MFA, and Zero-Trust Setup (Hezemon | Hyderabad)

If you’re an IT admin, security in Microsoft 365 isn’t about turning on one setting—it’s about building a repeatable baseline that protects identities, devices, email, and data. This guide is a practical Microsoft 365 security baseline checklist for IT admins in Hyderabad (Hezemon Technologies), built for real-world SMB and mid-market tenants.

Whether you manage 25 users or 2,500, this baseline helps you move from “basic protection” to a Zero-Trust setup using MFA, Intune, and Microsoft Defender.

1) Start with identity security (MFA + Conditional Access)

Most M365 attacks begin with compromised credentials. Your baseline should treat identity as the control plane.

Baseline steps

• Turn on MFA for all users (no exceptions for admins). Prefer Microsoft Authenticator and number matching where available.

• For small environments, enable Security Defaults if you don’t have Conditional Access.

• If you do use Conditional Access, create policies for:

  • Require MFA for all users

  • Block legacy authentication (POP/IMAP/SMTP AUTH unless required)

  • Require compliant device (for access to SharePoint/OneDrive)

  • Restrict admin access (admin roles only from trusted locations/devices)

• Enforce strong password hygiene (avoid password expiry unless mandated; focus on MFA + risk controls instead).

Admin protection must-haves

• Use separate admin accounts (no email, no browsing).

• Apply least privilege: assign roles only when needed.

• Turn on audit logging and keep it enabled.

This is the foundation of any Intune device management and MFA setup for Microsoft 365 business tenants, especially when users work across laptops, mobiles, and remote networks.

2) Secure endpoints using Intune (device compliance + configuration)

Once identities are protected, lock down the devices that access business data. Intune makes your baseline consistent—even when users bring mixed hardware.

Intune baseline policies

• Enroll devices (Windows, iOS, Android, macOS) into Intune.

• Create Compliance Policies such as:

  • Device must have a passcode

  • Device must be encrypted (BitLocker / FileVault)

  • OS version minimum enforced

  • Jailbroken/rooted devices blocked

• Push Configuration Profiles:

  • BitLocker enforced + recovery keys stored

  • Windows Firewall on

  • Microsoft Defender Antivirus active

  • Attack Surface Reduction rules (where applicable)

  • Disable risky settings (e.g., Office macros from the internet—if possible)

• Set up Windows Update rings to keep devices patched on schedule.

Mobile protection for modern teams

• Use App Protection Policies (MAM) for Outlook/Teams on personal phones:

  • Require PIN/biometrics

  • Block copy/paste to personal apps

  • Wipe corporate data when a device is lost

In Hyderabad SMB environments, this is one of the fastest wins: Intune reduces “shadow IT security” because you can standardize policies across every device that touches company data.

3) Harden email security with Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Email is still the #1 entry point for phishing, business email compromise, and malware. Your baseline must include a solid Microsoft Defender for Office 365 configuration guide for small businesses—even if you’re starting with Plan 1.

Core Defender for Office 365 settings

• Enable and tune:

  • Anti-phishing policies (protect executives, finance, HR, admins)

  • Anti-spam policies (tighten thresholds, quarantine controls)

  • Safe Links (time-of-click protection for URLs)

  • Safe Attachments (detonate suspicious files)

• Improve domain trust:

  • Configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC

  • Enable anti-spoofing and impersonation protection

• Strengthen user response:

  • Add a Report Phishing button in Outlook

  • Set quarantine notifications so users don’t miss genuine emails

Optional but highly valuable

• Use Attack Simulation Training (if available) to run safe phishing drills.

• Monitor trends using Defender reports and adjust policies monthly.

When Hezemon sets up M365 for organizations, we treat email security as a default baseline—not an add-on—because one successful phishing click can bypass everything else.

4) Extend protection with Microsoft Defender (Endpoint + Cloud)

If you have Business Premium or equivalent licensing, take advantage of the broader Defender stack.

Baseline checklist

• Turn on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint / Defender for Business for devices

• Enable alerts for:

  • Suspicious sign-ins

  • Malware detections

  • Unusual mailbox activity

  • Mass file downloads from OneDrive/SharePoint

• Review Microsoft Secure Score and close the top gaps first (MFA, legacy auth blocks, device compliance, safe links/attachments).

This is a quick way to measure whether your baseline is improving week over week.

5) Zero-Trust setup in Microsoft 365 (simple and practical)

Zero-Trust doesn’t mean complexity. It means applying three principles consistently:

1. Verify explicitly

2. Use least privilege

3. Assume breach

Zero-Trust baseline moves

• Require MFA + trusted sign-in controls

• Require compliant devices for sensitive apps

• Segment access: finance/HR data gets stricter rules

• Apply Data Loss Prevention (DLP) where possible:

  • Block sharing of sensitive files outside the organization

  • Control external sharing in SharePoint/OneDrive

• Set retention rules for business data and enable recovery options

The Hezemon quick checklist (do this first)

If you’re implementing a Microsoft 365 security baseline checklist for IT admins in Hyderabad (Hezemon Technologies), start here:

• MFA for everyone (admins included)

• Block legacy authentication

• Device enrollment + compliance (Intune)

• Safe Links + Safe Attachments (Defender for O365)

• SPF/DKIM/DMARC configured

• Secure Score reviewed monthly

Need this baseline implemented for your tenant?

Hezemon Technologies helps Hyderabad organizations deploy a clean, repeatable baseline, covering Intune device management and MFA setup for Microsoft 365 business tenants, plus a practical Microsoft Defender for Office 365 configuration guide for small businesses.

If you want, share your tenant size + current licensing, and I’ll outline a “baseline rollout plan” you can execute in phases (Week 1 identity, Week 2 devices, Week 3 email, Week 4 Zero-Trust policies).