Tackling Storm-0978: Strengthening Cyber Defense with Microsoft Defender

Cybersecurity

Introducing Storm-0978, a new online threat targeting defense and government bodies across Europe and North America. Hailing from Russia, this cybercriminal group specializes in ransomware, extortion, and intelligence gathering. They used manipulated Word documents resembling the Ukrainian World Congress to exploit a vulnerability.

Storm-0978 requires a powerful defense in sectors like the military, government, telecommunications, and finance. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 emerged as a solution that does more than detect and neutralize cyberattacks; it also prevents them. This blog explains how Microsoft Defender protects against Storm-0978 and other advanced threats. 

What is a Microsoft Defender?

At the Ignite 2018 Conference, Microsoft unveiled M365 Defender as Microsoft Threat Protection.

Microsoft Defender is a series of tools that monitors endpoints, users, emails, and applications. This defense suite works together to find and stop cybercriminals before they attack your organization.

And if an attack still happens, it investigates and coordinates a response to keep things safe.

With the Microsoft 365 E5 license, you get access to four primary products in the suite, like:

1. Microsoft Defender for Office 365

2. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

3. Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps

4. Microsoft Defender for Identity

Benefits of Microsoft Defender for O365 :

Let's delve into the benefits of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 and understand how it can revolutionize your organization's security posture.

Advanced Malware Protection:

The Safe Attachments feature of Microsoft Defender shields your messaging system. Emails and attachments without known virus or malware signatures are isolated for investigation. 

Using machine learning and analysis techniques, Defender for Office 365 identifies malicious intent. This is how harmful attachments are neutralized and safe content is delivered to the recipient's mailbox.

Dynamic URL Protection:

The "Safe Links" feature provides real-time protection against malicious URLs in messages and Office documents. Each time a link is clicked, it undergoes dynamic assessment.

Malicious links are blocked instantly, while legitimate links remain accessible. This empowers users to interact with content confidently without worrying about harmful URLs.

Secure Content Scanning:

The Safe Documents feature of Microsoft Defender scans files in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint's Protected View.

Malicious content is identified and stopped through the multi-layered scanning process, safeguarding your documents.

Comprehensive Protection for Collaboration Platforms:

Defender for Office 365 now protects collaboration tools like Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive.

It effectively detects and blocks malicious files within team sites and document libraries.

Employs Anti-phishing policy:

Defender for Office 365 uses machine learning to detect phishing attempts in incoming messages.

Suspicious messages prompt actions to neutralize phishing threats.

Real-time Reports and Insights: 

Real-time reports from the Security & Compliance Center help focus on critical security concerns.

These reports provide insights, recommendations, and actionable links to address threats and suspicious activities efficiently.

This real-time visibility enables quick responses and informed decision-making.

Threat Explorer and Real-Time Detections:

It gives authorized users the ability to analyze recent threats in real time.

This report only displays information for the last seven days by default. However, you can change the views to display information for the previous 30 days.

Threat Trackers:

Threat trackers are a group of educational widgets, graphs, and tables that provide Office 365 monitoring.

The data on trending threats, such as malware and phishing scams, is regularly updated on tracker sites to show which problems are currently the most damaging to your company.

Streamlined Security Operations:

Microsoft Defender automates investigation tasks in response to well-known threats to enable security teams to operate more efficiently.

It takes remediation actions with the security operations team's approval, minimizing response times and maximizing efficacy.

Attack Simulation Training:

Defender for Office 365 provides intelligent attack simulation training. By automating the creation and management of phishing simulations, organizations can focus on and remediate phishing risks. The hyper-targeted training initiatives transform employee behaviors, enhancing your overall security posture.

Wrapping up:

A strong defense system is critical in dealing with evolving and sophisticated threats like Storm-0978. Cyber risks are a significant threat if you’re organization is using Office 365 without Microsoft Defender. If you haven't upgraded to Office 365 yet, now is the time to do it.

Exchange Online Protection is the free version of Microsoft Defender for Office 365. It's safer to upgrade to either Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 or Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2, based on your organization's needs.

Need help to stay connected and secure? Contact us to learn how our team of experts can assist you!