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Microsoft 365 Academy

Configure Microsoft 365, Entra ID, Intune, Exchange Online, Teams and SharePoint Online securely — with best practices and PowerShell references.

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Topic overview

Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD)

  • User and group management with a clear naming convention
  • Conditional Access policies for risk-based sign-in
  • Multi-factor authentication mandatory for all admin accounts
  • Privileged Identity Management (PIM) for time-limited admin rights

Microsoft Intune (Device Management)

  • Define compliance policies for Windows, iOS, Android and macOS
  • Distribute configuration profiles centrally (WiFi, VPN, certificates)
  • App protection policies also for BYOD devices without full enrollment
  • Autopilot for zero-touch provisioning of new devices

Exchange Online

  • Set up mail flow rules for compliance and spam protection
  • Use shared mailboxes instead of shared credentials
  • Retention policies for legal retention requirements
  • Configure DKIM, SPF and DMARC correctly (see IT Center)

Microsoft Teams

  • Use Teams templates for recurring project structures
  • Deliberately control guest access and external collaboration
  • Set retention policies for chats and channels
  • Keep Teams naming convention consistent with M365 groups

SharePoint Online

  • Plan the information architecture before creating the first site
  • Configure organization-level sharing settings restrictively
  • Use sensitivity labels for confidential documents
  • Define the site lifecycle (creation, archiving, deletion)

PowerShell Automation

  • Use the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK instead of the deprecated MSOnline modules
  • Bulk operations (bulk import, update) via CSV-driven scripts
  • App registration with a certificate instead of plaintext credentials for automation
  • Version scripts and document them in a repository

How it works

1

Choose a topic

Six central M365 areas at a glance.

2

Read best practices

Concrete recommendations per area.

3

Use the matching tool

Linked directly to generators and planners.

Benefits

✓
Free
✓
6 topic areas
✓
Practical
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GDPR Friendly

Good to know about this tool

What does this tool do?

Provides a structured overview of the key configuration areas in Microsoft 365, with best practices and links to the Academy tools.

Why does it exist?

Because Microsoft 365 consists of many interlocking services, and misconfigurations often lead to security gaps or administrative chaos.

Typical use cases
    Best practices & notes

      Frequently Asked Questions

      Does this guide replace a Microsoft certification?

      No, it serves as a practical starting point and reference — for in-depth knowledge, official Microsoft Learn paths are recommended.

      Disclaimer

      The information, templates, scripts, calculations and recommendations provided are intended for educational and assistance purposes only. Always review and test any generated result before production use. IT Smart Service accepts no liability for misuse, data loss, outages, security incidents, or legal, financial or technical damages arising from incorrect or improper use. Responsibility for validation, testing and deployment decisions rests with the user.

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