Ahead of the RSA Security LLC’s annual information security conference taking place this week, Microsoft Corp. released a host of new tools to protect companies from cybersecurity attacks.

Global information security spending is expected to more than double from $76.9 billion in 2015 to $170 billion by 2020, according to Gartner Inc.

Microsoft has introduced three new Office 365 tools, which includes a new security analytics tool. It has also announced security features for Windows 10 and Surface devices.

Office 365 tools

Office 365 Secure Score

Microsoft has introduced a security analytics tool for Office 365 clients called Secure Score that allows users to understand their current Office 365 security configuration and the various controls they can implement to increase their security.

To access the feature, go to securescore.office.com. Currently, you will need to be a global administrator to access Secure Score, but Microsoft will eventually roll out the ability for all administrators to access the feature.

Your score will automatically be calculated based on the security controls that you have partially or fully adopted. While the total score is the number of points you could earn based on the features you have available on your Office 365 account.

Further down the Secure Score Summary page, you will see Action items, which can be filtered based on category, user impact, implementation cost and control type. Expand the item to see additional details as well as the impact it will have on your Secure Score if you action the item.

Score Analyzer

At the top of the Secure Score Summary page, click Score Analyzer. Here you will be able to track your Secure Score over time with the graph showing your score over time compared to the Office 365 average. You will also be able to see the action items taken on any given day.

Click the Export button to export your control details to a PDF or CSV file.  

Office 365 Threat Intelligence

Threat Intelligence analyzes data points from global data centers, Office clients, email, user authentications, etc. to provide insights into global attack trends, including malware, adware, ransomware, etc.

The Threat Intelligence dashboard provides various insights and recommendations to reduce these cyber-threats.

Threat Intelligence is currently available in a private beta with general availability planned for the end of March. Contact your Microsoft account representative to sign up for the private preview of Office 365 Threat Intelligence.

Office 365 Advanced Data Governance

Advanced Data Governance uses machine learning to find and retain the most important data while eliminating obsolete data that could expose an organization to unnecessary risk.

Advanced Data Governance is currently available in a limited public preview with general availability expected at the end of March. To register for the preview, go to Office 365 Advanced Data Governance.

Security innovations for Windows 10 and Surface devices

Last week, Microsoft also announced various security updates for Windows 10 and Surface devices being used in the enterprise.

Windows 10 and Surface devices added to NSA list for classified use

Windows 10 and Surface devices, including Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book, have been added to the National Security Agency’s Commercial Solutions for Classified Programs list.

Surface Enterprise Management Mode

Surface Enterprise Management Mode (SEMM) is an additional layer of hardware security available on the Surface Pro 4, Surface Book and Surface Studio.

SEMM allows information technology managers to take ownership, lock down and modify hardware configurations, security and operating system behaviors within the device firmware. The hardware configuration rules can be applied to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cameras, USB, microphones, micro SD card, TypeCover and more.

Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection

In the Creators Update, Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection is gaining the ability for customers to add custom security rules to protect against particular threats.

Making passwords obsolete

Microsoft is introducing Dynamic Lock, which automatically locks a computer when the Bluetooth-paired phone is no longer in range.

In addition to this feature, which the company introduced last week as part of the latest Preview Build for Insiders, Microsoft is also working with Intel Corp. to integrate Windows Hello with Intel’s Authentication technology as a part of Project Evo. New devices featuring the integration are expected by the end of 2017.

Microsoft is also introducing the ability for organizations to use on-premises Active Directory with Windows Hello.

Mobile device management

The Creators Update will also allow mobile device management software to apply security settings and configurations found in the Security Baseline Policies, previously only available through Group Policy.

Main image: DobaKung; Flickr; other images via Microsoft