Recently, there has been a significant increase in Brute Force attacks on Microsoft 365 accounts. These attacks primarily target users with administrative permissions and can lead to system breaches and the destruction of critical organizational data. Read the article to learn the best ways to ensure your business’s protection.
The frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks have been increasing – Check Point Software estimates that in Portugal, there was a 75% increase in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. These statistics also include Brute Force attacks on Microsoft 365 systems, which have been exposing significant vulnerabilities in companies’ IT infrastructures.
What is a Brute Force Attack?
A Brute Force attack, or, in Portuguese, ataque de força bruta, is a cyberattack where the hacker attempts to discover user passwords by trying a series of combinations until the correct result is obtained. The target of the attack is administrator accounts, as they have management permissions for the systems and full access to all company information.
When successful, a brute force attack allows the hacker to irreversibly delete all company data. In this case, not even Microsoft can help with recovery, as the company itself states in its Terms of Service, it is not responsible for damages resulting from unavailability, data loss, or profits.
Excerpt from Microsoft’s Terms of Service.
How to Protect Yourself against Attacks on Microsoft 365
To continue using Microsoft 365 tools – which include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, among others – securely, it is essential to robustly protect user data with comprehensive backup and protection solutions. Here are three recommendations:
Acronis Cyber Protect
Acronis Cyber Protect is a solution that combines Microsoft 365 backup with advanced protection against cyber threats. The product includes:
- Automated backups: Makes frequent data copies, minimizing the risk of information loss in case of an attack.
- Protection against malware and ransomware: Uses Artificial Intelligence to identify and neutralize threats before they cause damage.
- Centralized management: Simplifies the process of data protection and recovery through a single, intuitive dashboard.
Hornet Security
Hornet Security is another solution that offers a complete range of protection for Microsoft 365 environments, including:
- Email security: Protects against phishing, spam, and other types of targeted email attacks.
- Backup and recovery: Ensures that email and Microsoft 365 data are backed up and can be quickly restored.
- Compliance and conformity: Helps ensure that companies comply with data protection regulations.
Hornet Security also offers a series of plans that can be integrated into a comprehensive strategy for prevention, compliance, and awareness of cybersecurity in companies.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
The Microsoft 365 Business Premium plan includes a series of advanced security features that make it an excellent tool for preventing cyberattacks and protecting data. Its features include:
- Multifactor Authentication (MFA): Adds an extra layer of protection by requiring multiple forms of verification before granting system access.
- Identity and access management: Allows for more agile management of access to certain resources and data by different profiles.
- Advanced threat protection: Includes behavioral analysis tools and automated incident response.
- Compliance Manager: Ensures that the company’s security practices comply with global standards and regulations.
Microsoft 365 Data Protection Checklist
The data of companies using Microsoft 365 is hosted in a tenant – which, in Portuguese, means inquilino – and is essentially a cloud instance where Office 365 tools are hosted within the same domain, allowing access to all organization data in the same environment. The tenant is, therefore, a kind of business vault that must be well protected, lest you lose access to essential data and compromise company operations. In addition to the tools we suggest in this article, here are some additional strategies to reinforce the protection of Microsoft 365 tenants:
Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
By requiring a second form of authentication – such as a code sent via SMS or an authentication app – MFA is a simple but very effective measure in preventing Brute Force attacks.
Continuous Monitoring
A continuous monitoring system allows for the detection of suspicious or unauthorized activities through SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tools, useful for correlating events and identifying potential threats.
Regular and Automatic Backup
Solutions like the aforementioned Acronis Cyber Protect or Hornet Security ensure regular automatic copies and secure data storage, allowing for quick recovery in case of incidents.
Advanced Security Solutions
Advanced security solutions like the aforementioned Cyber Protect from Acronis, Hornet Security, or Microsoft 365 Business Premium provide additional layers of security against a wide range of threats.
Training and Awareness
It cannot be overstated – employee awareness of cybersecurity issues is more relevant today than ever. Complement the use of tools with training and awareness sessions that keep your teams updated on the best practices and procedures for data and system security.
At a time when the number of cyberattacks is reaching record levels, protecting your company’s digital ecosystem – whether or not you are a Microsoft 365 client – is imperative. Don’t leave your business data at the mercy of cybercrime. Discover PONTUAL’s Cybersecurity solutions and contact us for more information.
