Microsoft 365 Security Assessments

A structured, evidence-based posture review of a Microsoft 365 and Azure tenant. The framework is built on Microsoft's published Zero Trust Assessment, with Mindline overlays that translate raw configuration findings into:

• Compliance language — HIPAA Security Rule, CMMC Level 2 / NIST SP 800-171, CJIS, SOC 2, NIST CSF
• Executive synthesis — risk heatmap, top-5 findings, Microsoft Secure Score current vs. projected
• Prescriptive remediation roadmap — phased Immediate / Short / Mid / Long-term, effort estimates, dependency ordering

Pillars

Pillar	Tier 1 checks	Microsoft source
Identity	25	Microsoft Entra
Devices	16	Microsoft Intune
Data	11	Microsoft Purview
Applications	6	Defender for Cloud Apps
Email & Collaboration	12	Defender for Office 365 / EOP
Network	5	Azure Networking

Total: 75 Tier 1 checks. A typical engagement covers Tier 1 in 4–6 weeks; deeper Tier 2 / Tier 3 coverage is scoped per engagement.

License legend

The License column on each pillar page uses the tokens below.

Baseline ( — ) — no license required beyond the service baseline for that pillar:

• Identity — any Microsoft Entra ID tier, including Free (directory roles, authentication methods policy, emergency access accounts, Password Hash Sync)
• Devices — a Microsoft Intune license (M365 E3 / E5 / F3, EMS E3/E5, or Business Premium); compliance policies require E3 / E5 / F3 / F5 — not F1
• Data — the Microsoft 365 E3 baseline / Purview Standard (manual sensitivity labels incl. encryption; DLP for SharePoint / Exchange / OneDrive; audit; retention)
• Applications — any Microsoft Entra ID tier (app registration and user consent settings)
• Email & Collaboration — Exchange Online Protection (SPF / DKIM / DMARC / TLS, anti-malware common attachments filter, external sender tagging, POP/IMAP controls, mail flow rules)

Premium tiers:

• P1 — Microsoft Entra ID P1 (M365 E3 / Business Premium): Conditional Access, group-based licensing
• P2 — Microsoft Entra ID P2 (M365 E5; standalone add-on): PIM, Identity Protection risk policies
• MDE P1 — Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 (included in M365 E3)
• MDO P1 — Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 (M365 E5, Business Premium, or standalone add-on): Safe Attachments, Safe Links, impersonation protection
• MDCA / E5 — Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (standalone, or M365 E5 / Defender Suite); MDCA add-on / E5 denotes App governance, included in E5 Security
• E5 / Compliance add-on — M365 E5 or the E5 Compliance / Purview add-on: auto-labeling, container labels, Endpoint DLP, Teams DLP
• Combined tokens (e.g. P1 + MDCA) require each listed license.

Network checks list their full Azure SKU in the License column; see that page's own note.

Why a Mindline assessment, given Microsoft ships an automated tool?

Microsoft publishes 215+ atomic checks across the Identity, Devices, Data, and Network pillars at learn.microsoft.com/security/zero-trust/assessment, along with an automated assessment tool. Mindline extends that base with the Applications and Email & Collaboration pillars — drawn from Microsoft's Zero Trust applications guidance and the recommended Defender for Office 365 / EOP settings — to complete the seven-pillar Zero Trust map. The Mindline assessment is built around what the tool doesn't do:

• The tool tests configuration. Mindline translates what it means. A raw pass/fail spreadsheet doesn't tell a healthcare CFO whether the tenant satisfies HIPAA §164.312(b) Audit Controls. A Mindline deliverable does.
• The framework is calibrated to essentials. The full atomic check set is too many for any 4–6 week engagement. Mindline curates the 75 highest-impact starting points and reserves depth checks for follow-on tiers.
• The deliverable is built for the audience. Executive presentation + detailed report + phased remediation roadmap — not a spreadsheet.
• License gaps become findings. A check that requires Entra ID P2 isn't a fail for an E3 tenant; it's a "here's what an upgrade buys you" recommendation. The deliverable surfaces both kinds.

Engagement

For a security assessment engagement, see mindline.com/is-your-microsoft-365-environment-vulnerable.