As cyber criminals start to take aim at hybrid and remote workers, Microsoft is set on working to raise awareness among Exchange Online customers that one of the most important security steps they can take is to move away from outdated, less secure protocols, like ‘Basic Authentication’. As previously announced, Microsoft are turning off Basic Authentication in Exchange Online for all tenants starting October 1, 2022.
Since Microsoft announced their intent to disapprove of Basic Authentication in 2019, helping millions of Exchange Online users move to Modern Authentication. Furthermore they have also worked with their partners, such as us at Westwood Associates, to help mutual customers turn off Basic Authentication and implement Modern Authentication.
Securing your email has never been more critical. Email remains essential in businesses for sales, productivity, and confidential communication, and using Basic Authentication puts your company at a greater risk of data breaches and disruption of email. There are now 921 password attacks every second, almost doubling the likelihood of attacks from last year.
Moving your Exchange Online organisation from Basic Authentication to the more secure Modern Authentication enables stronger protection and the ability to use features like multifactor authentication. This feature is particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized businesses that don’t have dedicated security staff.
Microsoft conducted their own research finding that more than 99 percent of password spray attacks take advantage of the presence of Basic Authentication. Customers that have already disabled Basic Authentication have experienced 67% fewer compromises than those who still use it.
Improve security and avoid disruption
The harsh reality of updating your apps to use Modern Authentication means your business more secure against many threats. Many mobile devices still use Basic Authentication, so making sure your device is using the latest software or operating system update is one of the ways to switch it to use Modern Authentication. You can also use apps, such as Outlook mobile, that only uses Modern Authentication and works on both iOS and Android devices.
As a trusted Microsoft Gold partner and a experienced tech support and service company we couldn’t recommend more that our customers turn off Basic Authentication and implement Modern Authentication now.
