How to Ensure Your Teams Environment Is Secure
Microsoft Teams has been available since early 2017, with the software being regularly updated with new features, services, and functionality. Regarding Teams security, there are many questions on effectively managing the data since it is such a collaborative environment with numerous users. Therefore, it is important to learn more about ensuring your Teams environment is secure, as many integrated features help protect your data.
Securing Teams Using the Basics
Auditing and Reporting
Teams have integrated audit log searches through the Office 365 Security and Compliance Center, a crucial security feature that enables administrators to identify potential incidents. Additionally, administrators can set alerts for generic or workload-specific events set to increase incident investigation.
Authentication
Microsoft delivers multiple authentication protocols, making it more difficult for external unauthorized users to access the network. These options include two-factor authentication or single sign-on using Active Directory.
Certification
When Microsoft designed Office 365, they ensured it was Tier-C compliant from the beginning. This covers standards ISO 27001, SOC 1, SOC 2, and HIPAA. SOC 2 is an auditing procedure that securely manages your company’s data, thus protecting the organization’s interests and client privacy. ISO 27001 is a different standard that brings information security within explicit management control and is one of the most widely recognized cloud service certifications. Compliances and certifications are not considered features, but Teams handle data compliance using these standards, showing that they take security seriously.
Customization Access Permissions
In addition to the integrated security features, Microsoft Teams delivers various customizable options to further secure usage. Teams utilize two security levels for all users: Owners and Members. By default, any user who generates a new group is the Owner and has various control settings for the group members, which range from adding connections to setting restrictions on viewing content. Owners have as much control as necessary, which allows them to create a structured environment over the access and sharing of data.
Data Location
The physical location of your data is established based on your access region. This is critical when living in an area with stricter data security regulations. Using Azure, Teams supports regional data allocation for users in Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom.
Encryption
Teams encrypts data while at rest and in-transit by using Active Directory to manage these functions. This provides IT departments with more control over internal security. Some Office 365 apps, like OneNote and SharePoint, have their security protocols to add a layer of data protection.
Teams Security Checklist
Whether you are new to Microsoft Teams or visiting your security, several important topics must be considered.
External Guest Access
External access is defined as those who do not have an email address mapped at your company’s domain level. When compared to Members, guests cannot:
- Use OneDrive for Business
- Configure a team
- Create a team
- Upload files to a chat
- Add applications
- Search for users, not in Teams
- Use a calendar
Manage security
- View the organizational chart
Global Teams Management
The Teams manager has a crucial role in setting up the functionality and features available with the software and managing the environment. This means they are managing all transfer and storage of data.
Members or Admins
When adding new internal users to Teams, you can make certain visitors are Admins or Members, depending on the role. The greatest difference between the two is that Admins can edit, create, or delete teams while managing security. Some companies allow the free flow of information, while others limit the number of Admins.
Data security is always at the top of any IT administrator’s concern list. However, by utilizing Microsoft Teams’ basics and implementing the best security protocols and tools, you do not need to worry about sensitive information in the cloud. Teams integrate Tier-C compliance standards and are flexible enough to create customizable security setups.
