Project Phases
Implementation Roadmap
Click any checkbox to track progress. Click phase headers to expand or collapse.
Phase 1: Baseline Assessment
0 / 5
Week 1
Not Started
- Review Microsoft Secure Score and document current security posture
- Audit existing Entra ID configuration (users, groups, roles, guest accounts)
- Inventory all registered applications and OAuth consent grants
- Identify gaps between current state and Microsoft 365 security best practices
- Deliver baseline security assessment report to client leadership
Phase 2: Identity Security
0 / 6
Weeks 1-2
Not Started
- Configure Conditional Access policies (require MFA, block legacy auth, location-based)
- Enforce MFA for all users via security defaults or per-user CA policies
- Set up Privileged Identity Management (PIM) for all admin roles
- Create and secure break-glass emergency access accounts (2 accounts, excluded from CA)
- Enable self-service password reset (SSPR) with strong authentication methods
- Implement password protection (banned password list, smart lockout thresholds)
Phase 3: Endpoint Protection
0 / 6
Weeks 2-3
Not Started
- Deploy Microsoft Defender for Business to all enrolled endpoints
- Configure Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) rules in Intune
- Set up device compliance policies (OS version, encryption, antivirus status)
- Enable endpoint detection and response (EDR) capabilities
- Create automated investigation and remediation policies
- Validate Defender scan schedules and real-time protection on all devices
Phase 4: Data Protection
0 / 5
Week 3
Not Started
- Configure Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies for Exchange, SharePoint, and Teams
- Deploy sensitivity labels for document classification (Public, Internal, Confidential)
- Restrict external sharing in SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business
- Set up Information Barriers if required for departmental data separation
- Enable Azure Information Protection for email encryption and rights management
Phase 5: Email Security
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Week 4
Not Started
- Configure SPF record for all sending domains
- Set up DKIM signing for Exchange Online
- Publish DMARC policy (start with p=none, advance to p=reject)
- Configure anti-phishing policies in Microsoft Defender for Microsoft 365
- Enable Safe Links and Safe Attachments policies
- Set up user-reported phishing button and review workflow
Phase 6: Monitoring & Response
0 / 5
Weeks 4-5
Not Started
- Configure alert policies for suspicious sign-ins and impossible travel events
- Enable unified audit logging in Microsoft Purview
- Set up Microsoft Sentinel or Defender XDR for centralized threat monitoring
- Document incident response plan with escalation procedures and contacts
- Conduct tabletop exercise with client IT team to validate response procedures
Your Team
Dedicated Project Team
Professionals assigned to your security hardening project.
T1
Team Member
Security Architect
Policy Design & Threat Modeling
T2
Team Member
Identity Security Engineer
Entra ID & Conditional Access
T3
Team Member
Endpoint Security Engineer
Defender & ASR Configuration
T4
Team Member
Compliance Analyst
DLP & Sensitivity Labels
T5
Team Member
SOC Lead
Monitoring & Incident Response
Key Information
Project Guidelines
Success Criteria
- Microsoft Secure Score improved by minimum 30 points
- MFA enforced for 100% of user accounts
- All endpoints reporting healthy in Defender for Business
- DLP and sensitivity labels active across Exchange, SharePoint, and Teams
- DMARC policy at enforcement level (p=quarantine or p=reject)
- Incident response plan documented and validated via tabletop exercise
Risk Mitigation
- Phase all Conditional Access policies with report-only mode before enforcement
- Test ASR rules in audit mode for 2 weeks before blocking
- Pilot sensitivity labels with a small group before tenant-wide deployment
- Start DMARC at p=none and monitor reports before advancing policy
- Maintain break-glass accounts excluded from all CA policies
Communication Plan
- Kickoff meeting with client IT and leadership to align on security priorities
- Weekly security posture reports with Secure Score trends
- Email notification before each policy enforcement change
- Dedicated Teams channel for security hardening status updates
- Final security review meeting with before/after comparison report