M365 1366x593 Compressed

What is M365?

Microsoft 365 (M365) is a subscription-based service that gives access to various cloud services and productivity tools including OneDrive, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel. The comprehensive suite of services makes M365 an all-in-one solution for modern businesses.

What is Microsoft 365 (M365)?

In April 2020, Microsoft launched a version of M365 to replace the Office 365 plans. This evolution includes everything from Office 365 but with additional tools like Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Editor, and advanced security features to become a complete productivity platform.

In 2022, Microsoft updated their Office website, and mobile and desktop app to become Microsoft 365. These changes began rolling out in November 2022 with all rebranding complete by early 2023.

M365 For Consumers

This plan is tailored for individuals and households. There are two main subscription plans available for consumers; M365 Personal and M365 Family.

M365 for consumers includes essential applications like Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, and OneDrive. It also comes with Skype, Microsoft Editor, Clipchamp and security features in Microsoft Defender.

M365 For Business

This is designed for businesses and enterprises, and offers various plans to suit different requirements. The Business Standard plan includes the core Office applications as well as business email, Microsoft Teams, Onedrive, and webinar hosting capabilities.

The business premium version provides advanced security features such as cyber threat protection and administrative controls for managing users, devices, and security settings.

The Three Flavors of M365: Business, Enterprise, and Education

M365 Business

The business plans are designed for small to medium-sized businesses. It provides core Office applications, cloud-based services, PC-only apps, and webinar hosting for up to 300 people.

M365 Enterprise

The Enterprise plan is more extensive, catering to larger organisations. It provides additional applications, identity and access management solutions, cybersecurity features, 1TB of cloud storage, and audio conferencing for up to 1,000 attendees.

M365 Education

The Education plan is tailored for educational institutions, offering essential applications, Learning Accelerators, and access to various Cloud Services to support studies.

Each plan is designed to meet the unique needs of different organisational structures and sizes. Within each plan there are also various subscription models to further tailor your choice.

Core Components of M365

Office 365 is the backbone of the M365 system, giving users access to the Office applications. However, M365 is much more than an Office suite.

M365 offers Windows 10 as well as Enterprise Mobility + Security, allowing work to take place in a secure, collaborative, and productive environment. These features help to meet the diverse needs of modern businesses, particularly when it comes to efficiency and security needs within a digital landscape.

The Microsoft 365 suite is powered by the Microsoft Graph data engine. It’s a unified API endpoint and is the central hub for data within M365. Microsoft Graph connects data sources, provides intelligent insights, and allows for seamless integration within the M365 ecosystem.

Advanced Features in M365

  • Insider Risk Management: AI-Driven Security Measures

This feature utilises AI to identify and mitigate potential insider risks. This analyses behaviour to protect sensitive information from misuse.

  • Advanced Audit for M365: Extensive Capabilities for Enterprise Users

Advanced Audit provides organisations with the ability to keep long-term audit logs, handle high-volume auditing events, and conduct granular investigations into specific user actions and data changes.

  • Your Phone App: Bridging the Gap Between PC and Mobile

The M365 system has a phone app that makes it easier for users to access, edit, and share documents seamlessly. The mobile app integrates the M365 applications so users can switch between services with ease.

Prolinx’s Role in M365 Security and Compliance

Prolinx Secure M365 is ideal for organisations that are looking for a secure, controlled, and fully-managed M365 solution. The comprehensive service is a protected workspace that is compliant with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines.

Users benefit from Prolinx’s expertise, and enjoy a service that is not only secure and accredited but also seamlessly connects across various networks, including MOD and customer networks, all while adhering to stringent security control standards.

Prolinx offers a complete service that covers all aspects of secure data processing within the M365 system.

Prolinx Features and Benefits

  • Flexible, Scalable, and Easily Accessible: Prolinx Secure M365

Prolinx Secure M365 is adaptable to various organisational needs, providing a secure and efficient collaborative workspace that can grow with the organisation.

  • OneDrive and Remote Access: Work from Anywhere, Securely

With secure access to OneDrive from anywhere, teams can collaborate from multiple locations at any time without cyber security concerns. This is crucial for organisations collaborating from multiple locations.

  • Transparent Costs: Subscription Service for Budget Planning

Prolinx Secure M365 is offered as a subscription service with a clear pricing model, allowing for effective budget planning. This transparency means businesses can ensure they receive maximum value for money while utilising up-to-date productivity tools and security protection.

  • Prolinx Assured Cloud: Meeting M365 Compliance Requirements

Finally, Prolinx Assured Cloud ensures all business applications meet M365 compliance requirements while also adhering to stringent UK Government standards, NCSC, and NIST guidelines.

Prolinx Support and Maintenance

  • 24/7 In-House Support Desk: Always There When You Need It

Prolinx provides continuous, expert support to resolve issues efficiently. They handle all the technical aspects and the UK-based support desk is responsive, knowledgeable and offers assistance around the clock.

  • Security and Network Operations Centre: Keeping Your Data Safe

With a proactive approach to security, Prolinx’s Security and Network Operations Centre provides 24/7 monitoring to identify and respond to security issues. This provides an additional layer of protection for your data.

  • Ongoing Assurance and Compliance Activities: Let Prolinx Handle It

Prolinx handles all aspects of compliance diligently, ensuring the Secure M365 service continues to meet required standards.

Use Cases

In certain scenarios, M365 users lacking the security of an accredited corporate network may find themselves in need of a secure network environment.

This is a considerable task that can involve an entire network redesign, including an overhaul of the supporting processes, infrastructure, software, and monitoring.

In some cases, the creation of a separate network may be considered. Both of these options are expensive, resource-intensive and time consuming.

When Might You Require a Secure Network?

Various situations may require a secure network:

  • New Customer Contracts: Winning a new customer contract that involves handling, storing, or processing sensitive information
  • Supply Chain Involvement: Participating in a supply chain that demands a higher level of data security and compliance, particularly when delivering services to the UK Government, MOD, or Prime contractors.

Prolinx Secure 365 Solution

Our solution effectively addresses the need for a secure network, ensuring M365 and the collaborative work environment meets stringent security standards. This system provides you with the necessary access devices and controls to securely handle and work with sensitive data. Deploying our solutions enables companies to adapt to new security requirements without significant delays or the need for a complete network overhaul.

Moreover, this approach is highly cost-effective. Rather than undergoing a costly network redesign, we offer a managed service tailored to the specific number of individuals cleared to work on the project. This minimises disruption, maximises efficiency, and ensures compliance with security standards.

The partnership between Microsoft 365 and Prolinx offers organisations a secure, efficient, and compliant operational environment. The Prolinx Secure 365 service provides an additional layer of protection and support so organisations can collaborate and work securely.

With diligent compliance management, continuous support, and proactive security measures, Prolinx Secure M365 is a trustworthy service for organisations wanting to leverage the power of Microsoft 365 while keeping their data protected.