Allows you to run assessment for single Microsoft 365 Tenant.
Execution Steps can be found here.
Microsoft 365 is a comprehensive suite of cloud-based productivity tools designed to enable secure collaboration, communication, and data management for organizations of all sizes. As organizations increasingly adopt cloud services, the importance of robust security measures becomes even more critical. One of the best frameworks to assess and strengthen Microsoft 365 security is the CIS Microsoft 365 Benchmark, which provides a set of best practices for securing the platform.
Moreover, the CIS Benchmark aligns closely with the Zero Trust Security Model, a modern approach to cybersecurity that emphasizes the principle of “never trust, always verify” by assuming that threats can exist both inside and outside the network. This write-up will explore the significance of Microsoft 365 CIS assessment, how it operates, and how it aligns with and supports Microsoft’s Zero Trust Security model.
Microsoft 365 includes a wide array of services such as Exchange Online, SharePoint, OneDrive, Microsoft Teams, and Azure Active Directory. While these tools are highly effective in enhancing collaboration and productivity, they also expose organizations to significant security risks. Given that most enterprises store sensitive data in Microsoft 365 applications, the security posture of these systems becomes paramount.
Some of the common security challenges that organizations face when using Microsoft 365 include:
Given these risks, conducting a Microsoft 365 security assessment using the CIS Benchmark is crucial for ensuring the platform’s security is in line with industry best practices and also recommended by Microsoft.
The CIS Microsoft 365 Benchmark is a set of guidelines and recommendations designed to help organizations assess and improve the security of their Microsoft 365 environment. Developed by the Center for Internet Security (CIS), the benchmark provides actionable security controls that organizations can implement to protect their cloud resources, data, and identities.
The benchmark includes more than 70 security configuration recommendations organized into categories such as:
By following the CIS Benchmark, organizations can assess their current configurations, detect gaps in security, and align their practices with globally recognized standards. The benchmark helps address key security issues like managing access controls, securing data, and monitoring activities, thereby reducing the attack surface.
The Zero Trust Security Model is based on the principle that no user or device—whether inside or outside the network—should be trusted by default. This model challenges traditional network security, which often relies on a trusted internal perimeter, and instead requires continuous verification of every access attempt and action.
Zero Trust hinges on three core principles:
The CIS Microsoft 365 Benchmark aligns with the Zero Trust model by embedding key security controls that enforce these principles:
The CIS Benchmark stresses the importance of enforcing strong authentication mechanisms. This includes implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users and using conditional access policies. These policies ensure that access to resources is contingent on factors such as user location, device health, and risk levels, in line with the Zero Trust idea of “never trust, always verify.”
The CIS Benchmark promotes the principle of least-privilege access by recommending that administrators review roles and permissions regularly to ensure users only have the access necessary for their job functions. This helps in minimizing the impact of a potential breach, as an attacker can only access a limited set of resources.
Zero Trust relies heavily on monitoring every action and continuously assessing the trustworthiness of users, devices, and networks. The CIS Benchmark recommends enabling detailed audit logs and alerts within Microsoft 365, which can be used to detect suspicious activity and investigate potential breaches in real time.
Zero Trust emphasizes securing data in all states—whether in use, transit, or at rest. The CIS Benchmark includes recommendations for encrypting sensitive data and configuring data loss prevention (DLP) policies to prevent the accidental or intentional sharing of confidential information.