Microsoft's security heavily relies on identity systems such as Active Directory, Entra ID, Microsoft 365, Intune, and Teams, which are central to enterprise operations and are prime targets for cyberattacks.

Attackers view Microsoft environments as high-value targets because of their widespread use, interconnected systems, and the valuable data they hold, making them especially attractive for exploitation.

Common attack methods include Kerberoasting, Pass-the-Hash, and Golden Ticket attacks in Active Directory, along with OAuth phishing, misconfigured permissions, and architecture weaknesses in Entra ID.

A resilient security posture treats these identity systems and endpoints as an integrated ecosystem, emphasizing layered defenses, continuous monitoring, and prepared recovery plans to withstand inevitable breaches.

Identity is dynamic, with frequent changes in accounts, roles, and permissions; failing to detect unauthorized modifications increases vulnerability.

Organizations adopting an identity-first security approach, focusing on continuous monitoring and rapid recovery, are better positioned to detect threats early, contain breaches, and ensure operational continuity.

Security strategies must extend beyond tools to include ongoing audits, instant rollback capabilities, precise permission delegation, and automated resilience testing.

Device and endpoint security are vital, with tools like Microsoft Intune and Conditional Access enforcing compliance, but continuous monitoring of configurations and policies is essential to prevent tampering.

Microsoft 365 collaboration tools such as Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams are increasingly targeted for phishing, lateral movement, and social engineering, exploiting new attack vectors like impersonation and fake IT calls.