How Microsoft 365 Makes Cyber Essentials Compliance Easier

Introduction

Cyber Essentials is a must-have certification for UK businesses looking to strengthen security, reduce cyber risks, and meet client or regulatory requirements. However, configuring the required security controls manually can be complex.

With Microsoft 365 Business Premium, you get built-in tools that help you meet the 5 Cyber Essentials technical controls:
1️⃣ Firewalls & Internet Gateways – Protecting your network from cyber threats
2️⃣ Secure Configuration – Ensuring devices are set up securely
3️⃣ User Access Control – Limiting user access based on need
4️⃣ Malware Protection – Preventing and detecting cyber threats
5️⃣ Patch Management – Keeping software and systems up to date

Here’s how Microsoft 365 helps you meet each requirement efficiently.

1. Entra ID – Securely Add & Manage Devices

🔹 Cyber Essentials Control: User Access Control

A key requirement in Cyber Essentials is ensuring only authorised devices and users can access company data. Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) helps businesses enforce:
✅ Conditional Access – Restrict logins from unknown or non-compliant devices
✅ Device Compliance Policies – Ensure only secure, company-managed devices can connect
✅ Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) – Grant users only the permissions they need

This prevents unauthorised access and ensures only approved devices connect to business systems.

2. Windows Hello for Business – Passwordless Authentication

🔹 Cyber Essentials Control: User Access Control

Passwords are one of the biggest attack vectors. Cyber Essentials requires secure login mechanisms, and Windows Hello for Business eliminates traditional passwords by using:
✅ Facial recognition, fingerprint scans, or PINs instead of passwords
✅ Phish-resistant authentication
✅ Multi-factor authentication (MFA) enforcement

This significantly reduces the risk of stolen credentials and meets Cyber Essentials’ strong authentication requirements.

3. Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) – Protect Admin Credentials

🔹 Cyber Essentials Control: User Access Control

Cyber Essentials requires secure management of admin accounts. LAPS automatically secures local administrator passwords by:
✅ Randomly generating unique passwords for each machine
✅ Ensuring passwords are never reused
✅ Automatically rotating passwords to prevent privilege escalation

This prevents attackers from moving laterally if they compromise a single machine.

4. Autopilot – Standardised & Secure Device Setup

🔹 Cyber Essentials Control: Secure Configuration

Cyber Essentials requires all company devices to be securely configured before use. Autopilot ensures every device is set up securely from day one by:
✅ Deploying a standardised, security-hardened image
✅ Removing bloatware & disabling unnecessary features
✅ Enforcing company-wide security settings automatically

This prevents security risks from poorly configured endpoints.

5. Patch Management – Automated Updates via Update Rings

🔹 Cyber Essentials Control: Patch Management

Keeping software updated and patched is a core Cyber Essentials requirement. Microsoft Update Rings in Intune allow businesses to:
✅ Automate Windows security updates
✅ Control update rollouts to avoid downtime
✅ Ensure compliance by keeping all devices up to date

This ensures critical security patches are installed without relying on users to do it manually.

6. Vulnerability Management – Identify & Fix Security Gaps

🔹 Cyber Essentials Control: Secure Configuration & Patch Management

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint includes a built-in vulnerability management tool that helps businesses:
✅ Detect outdated or misconfigured software
✅ Identify security gaps before attackers exploit them
✅ Prioritise critical updates and fixes

This allows businesses to proactively close security gaps and strengthen defence against cyber threats.

7. Anti-Malware & Firewall Policies – Prevent Cyber Attacks

🔹 Cyber Essentials Controls: Malware Protection & Firewalls

Cyber Essentials mandates firewall and malware protection for all devices. Microsoft Defender provides:
✅ Real-time antivirus scanning to detect and block malware
✅ Firewall policies to control inbound & outbound network traffic
✅ Tamper protection to prevent malware from disabling security settings

This ensures devices remain protected from cyber threats.

8. Secure Device Settings via Intune – Lock Down Endpoints

🔹 Cyber Essentials Control: Secure Configuration

Cyber Essentials requires all devices to be securely configured to reduce risk. Microsoft Intune allows businesses to enforce security settings such as:
✅ Disabling Autorun (to prevent USB-based malware attacks)
✅ Enforcing screen lock policies (to protect unattended devices)
✅ Restricting software installations to prevent unauthorised apps

This reduces the attack surface and ensures devices remain secure at all times.

9. Phish-Resistant MFA – Secure User Access

🔹 Cyber Essentials Control: User Access Control

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is mandatory for Cyber Essentials—but not all MFA is equal. Microsoft 365 provides strong, phish-resistant MFA, including:
✅ FIDO2 security keys
✅ Passkeys & passwordless authentication
✅ Windows Hello for Business MFA

This eliminates phishing risks and ensures only verified users can access business data.

Final Thoughts

Achieving Cyber Essentials compliance is easier with Microsoft 365—but you need the right setup. At a minimum, businesses should use Microsoft 365 Business Premium, which includes:
✅ Microsoft Intune for device security
✅ Defender for Endpoint for malware protection
✅ Conditional Access & MFA for user security
✅ Patch management & vulnerability scanning

Need help setting these up?

We configure everything for you—whether as part of a Cyber Essentials readiness project or included as standard in our managed IT services.

📅 Book a quick 15-minute call, and we’ll walk you through the best approach for your business.

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