While it might seem simplest to license Microsoft's anti-threat protection, it's fairly easy to implement alternative, third-party anti-phishing options.įor example, to use a third-party secure email gateway instead of - or in addition to - Microsoft's offering, configure email domain name system entries to point email at the third-party gateway. Microsoft bundles its anti-phishing and zero-day malware support as part of its Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection add-on. While both issues remain important, features designed to combat phishing are arguably the most important elements of Office 365 email security today. For years, that largely meant reducing junk mail and keeping out viruses - both spam and malware. A future article will address protection alternatives for SharePoint, OneDrive and Skype for Business.Įmail security is a given.

Each one has its own security requirements. Skype for Business, formerly known as Lync, provides instant messaging, as well as VoIP gateway features and functions.

OneDrive is a file hosting and syncing service similar to Google Drive, Dropbox and others.

It can be used for simple, team-based web applications and documents as well as for more complex, custom-developed applications. SharePoint is a content management system and collaborative web application launched more than 18 years ago. In addition to email, Office 365 includes SharePoint, OneDrive and Skype for Business. The Office 365 services you use will necessarily influence the security features you need - whether from Microsoft or from a third-party vendor - so a brief overview of the services is in order. Microsoft's Outlook Web Access was once considered only a browser-based email access tool but now it is a feature-rich, collaborative environment that has been to provide access to Microsoft Office applications. While many people think of Office 365 as email, it offers much more than that.

Microsoft secure email gateway