Microsoft 365 security guide
Microsoft 365 security audit for small businesses
Know what is actually configured before committing to a wider consultancy assessment. Start with selected read-only checks, request supporting evidence and give your IT provider clear priorities. Then decide whether the remaining questions need a consultant, independent testing or a penetration test.
Published · Last reviewed · By CyberProva
Run your free Microsoft 365 security assessmentNo card required · Optional read-only Microsoft 365 connection
What should a Microsoft 365 security audit deliver?
The word audit can mean very different services. For an M365 security audit or Office 365 security audit, ask for the criteria, scope, evidence sources, testing method and final deliverables before accepting a proposal.
- A stated tenant, account and service scope, including exclusions.
- Findings tied to specific controls and dated evidence.
- An explanation of what was tested, what was inferred and what could not be established.
- A prioritised action list with owners and follow-up expectations.
How can you start without a consultancy engagement?
A self-service baseline can make the first conversation more productive. CyberProva combines selected automated configuration checks with evidence supplied and reviewed by your organisation.
- Create your workspace and declare scope.
- Optionally connect Microsoft 365 using read-only access.
- Request evidence for controls that cannot be established automatically.
- Review plain-English findings and agree remediation with your IT team.
How does this differ from a full consultancy audit?
CyberProva is a structured assessment tool. It does not provide a consultant's independent judgement about every underlying fact or actively test exploitation of your systems.
- A consultant can investigate context, interview teams and validate evidence within an agreed engagement.
- Penetration testing investigates exploitable weaknesses within an authorised scope.
- Certification and insurance decisions require their own processes.
- Commission additional work when the business question goes beyond selected settings and reviewed evidence.
How should you compare security audit costs?
Compare scope and deliverables before price. A free baseline, a configuration review, a multi-day consultancy engagement and penetration testing do different jobs.
- Ask whether the quote includes remediation, retesting and a written report.
- Check licensing prerequisites and services excluded from testing.
- Free CyberProva includes three lifetime core assessments and on-screen findings.
- Report exports and action-management features are paid capabilities.
What happens after the audit?
The useful output is a decision about what to change. Preserve evidence gaps and distinguish them from confirmed configuration findings.
- Agree immediate actions for important findings.
- Request missing evidence rather than recording an unsupported pass.
- Recheck controls after remediation and keep the assessment scope visible.
Make the answer provable
Evidence to request
- The agreed audit criteria and scope.
- Settings reports and reviewed provider evidence.
- A dated findings register and agreed remediation priorities.
How CyberProva helps
CyberProva gives you a free starting assessment with selected read-only checks and an evidence workflow. It is not a full consultancy audit, penetration test or certification. Your organisation reviews provider evidence and remains responsible for the final answers.
See what a Microsoft 365 security assessment should cover →
See exactly what CyberProva checks · Learn how CyberProva assesses security · Review Microsoft permissions
Common questions
Is the free assessment a complete independent audit?
No. It is a baseline of selected controls. Automated checks verify supported settings; your organisation reviews evidence for other controls.
Can it help us decide whether to hire a consultant?
Yes. Use the findings to define the questions, scope and evidence gaps you need a specialist to investigate. Do not assume that a good score removes the need for specialist work.
Official guidance
Use these sources with your IT provider when reviewing the controls described above.
From assumptions to evidence
See what needs attention in your organisation
Start with a free CyberProva assessment. Review the findings, identify evidence gaps and agree priorities with your IT team.
Free includes 3 lifetime core assessments. Report exports and advanced features require a paid plan.