Ask FirstNet about Security
Microsoft 365 Security & Compliance
Harden identities, devices, and data across Microsoft 365 with zero-trust best practices.
The Challenge
M365 productivity vs. Protection
Misconfigurations and weak identity controls are the root cause of many breaches. Microsoft 365 tenants need guardrails to balance productivity with protection.
Regulatory requirements add pressure for data governance, retention, and auditability.
Quick answers
Will stronger security slow users down?
We prioritise controls that add protection with minimal friction, and we phase changes with clear communication.
Can you integrate with our SIEM?
Yes. Alerts and logs can be forwarded to your SIEM for centralised visibility.
Do you help with compliance reports?
Yes. We configure reports and dashboards to support audits and regulatory checks.
How can we see risky sharing and unsanctioned apps in Microsoft 365?
A cloud access security broker (CASB) gives visibility into how your Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace estate is being used. It can scan for misconfigurations, public file shares, risky OAuth grants and third-party app sprawl, and show which SaaS and AI tools staff are using. FirstNet delivers CASB through Netskope or Cloudflare, reviews the findings with you on a regular cadence and helps you work through remediation.
Our Expertise
M365 security tailored to risk
We implement proven controls across identity, device, application, and data layers, tailored to your risk profile and compliance needs. The goal is practical security that supports, not hinders, productivity.
Engagements range from targeted hardening to full zero‑trust programmes with policy baselines and continuous monitoring.
- Identity Security: MFA, conditional access, privileged identity management.
- Device & App Control: endpoint hardening and application governance.
- Data Protection: DLP, sensitivity labels, encryption, and retention.
- Threat Protection: phishing defence, safe links, safe attachments.
- Compliance: audit trails, e‑discovery, and regulatory reporting.
Watch: Microsoft 365 backup is a no-brainer
Retention is not backup. When something important is deleted, or ransomware encrypts synced files, you need an independent copy of your Microsoft 365 data. Druva, delivered by FirstNet, protects it for around R35 per user per month.
- Backup for Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint and Teams
- Unlimited storage: no storage calculators and no surprise bills
- Around R35 per user per month
Greg, FirstNet
Read the transcript
Here's the question. If I offered to protect all your Microsoft 365 data for 35 rand per user per month, would you buy it? Because most companies spend more than that on coffee. We trust Microsoft 365 with everything: emails, Teams chats, SharePoint, OneDrive. But if someone accidentally deletes something important, or ransomware encrypts synced files, you quickly learn that retention and backup aren't the same thing. That's why I like Druva. For around 35 rand per user per month you get backup for Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint and Teams. And here's the bit that gets me: unlimited storage. Seriously. No storage calculators, no surprise bills, no awkward conversations with finance. So let me put it to you this way: if your Microsoft 365 data is worth protecting and it only costs 35 rand a user, then backing it up isn't really a technology decision, is it? It's common sense. I'm Greg from FirstNet, and that's this week's tech no-brainer. See you next week.
Explore the details
M365 security tailored to riskAt FirstNet, our delivery focuses on measurable risk reduction without unnecessary complexities…
Our Expertise
M365 security tailored to risk
At FirstNet, our delivery focuses on measurable risk reduction without unnecessary complexities.
Assessment
Tenant review, gap analysis, and prioritised action plan.
Implementation
Policy baselines, staged rollouts and change control.
Monitoring
Dashboards for incidents, drift, and user risk signals.
Enablement
Admin and end-user training to sustain improvements.
Case studies: Professional services and financeAchieved POPIA‑aligned data governance with minimal user friction. · Reduced account takeovers with…
Professional Services
Achieved POPIA‑aligned data governance with minimal user friction.
Finance
Reduced account takeovers with conditional access and MFA adoption.
We’ve got your security covered. Choose us as your long-term partner.
Why Choose FirstNet
Prioritise long-term guardrails.
How do we stop sensitive data leaving the business through Microsoft 365, email and AI tools?
Data loss prevention (DLP) controls detect and block sensitive information, such as personal information covered by POPIA, payment data or credentials, as it moves through web, SaaS, email, endpoints and AI interactions. Netskope DLP, delivered by FirstNet, applies these controls from one policy engine, including prompts sent to AI tools. Policies are tuned after go-live to balance protection with usability. DLP supports your compliance goals but does not guarantee compliance on its own.
Does DMARC work with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace email?
Yes. DMARC applies to any domain sending email, including mail sent from Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. For DMARC to be enforced safely, every legitimate sender must pass SPF or DKIM alignment, including Microsoft 365 itself, marketing platforms and finance or ERP systems that send as your domain. FirstNet's managed SendMarc service handles this alignment work across these platforms before moving your policy to enforcement.
Request a Microsoft 365 security assessment to prioritise quick wins and long-term guardrails.
From the Knowledge Hub
In-depth answers about Microsoft 365 Security & Compliance
- Is Microsoft 365 secure out of the box, or does it need extra hardening from FirstNet?
- Can FirstNet's Microsoft 365 security service help us meet POPIA and audit requirements?
- How does FirstNet use MFA and conditional access to stop Microsoft 365 account takeovers?
- What does FirstNet's Microsoft 365 security and compliance service include?
Your place in the stack
Security is layer 3 of 5.
Enriched by Sovereign AI Keep AI POPIA-aligned: prompts, documents and data are processed on South African infrastructure instead of foreign APIs. Explore the AI Factory →