Microsoft 365 & Office 2024
The latest versions of Microsoft Office are Microsoft 365, which is a subscription service, and Office 2024, a one-time purchase. Microsoft 365 receives continuous updates, including AI features like Copilot, while Office 2024 is the most recent perpetual license version. You can get the classic 2024 versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint through a one-time purchase.
Identity & Access Protection
Microsoft has accelerated adoption of passwordless / passkey-first sign-in experiences — reducing reliance on passwords. Microsoft+2eGroup US+2
Real-time detection of “password spray” attacks via Microsoft Entra ID Protection, improving identity threat detection. eGroup US
Role-based access, multi-factor authentication (MFA) are becoming a default for key admin portals. Microsoft+1
Email & Collaboration Protection
Through Microsoft Defender for Office 365:
BEC (Business Email Compromise) detection now uses large-language models (LLM) to analyse email content / intent. Microsoft Learn
Detection of “mail bombing” (a type of DDoS-style email flood attack) in Threat Explorer. Microsoft Learn
Tenant Allow/Block list now supports IPv6, improving control of email flows. Microsoft Learn
In Microsoft Teams: features to detect brand impersonation, protect links, raise phishing warnings in chats and meetings.
Device & Endpoint Security
Integration across devices, enabling single sign-on, MFA, and hybrid endpoint protection. Microsoft+1
Through Microsoft 365 Business and higher SKUs: add-ons for advanced security (e.g., the “Microsoft Defender Suite for Business Premium”) to provide identity, endpoint, email/file/app protection. Microsoft Learn
Data Protection & Governance
Secure collaboration via OneDrive/SharePoint with enterprise data protection, version control, sharing policies. Microsoft+1
Zero-Trust frameworks: verify each access, trust no implicit device/user, continuous monitoring.
AI & Threat Intelligence
Microsoft Security Copilot (formerly “Copilot for Security”) introduced April 1 2024 — generative-AI powered insights, alert-triage, contextual threat investigation. Microsoft
Automating threat detection, reducing human load, improving speed / accuracy of responses.
