Outlook: New Cloud Policy controls

🚨 The Signal: New Cloud Policy controls for Outlook on the web and new Outlook for Windows allow administrators to enforce default settings and restrict user changes. This centralises configuration management, enhancing consistent security baselines across the organisation.

The Impact

Admins gain granular control over Outlook settings, reducing user-driven configuration drift and potential security misconfigurations.

• Security Teams: Reduced risk from user misconfigurations in Outlook.
• Admins: Centralised control over Outlook settings, improving consistency.
• End Users: May have fewer customisation options if policies restrict changes.

The Action

1. Review available Cloud Policy settings for Outlook in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
2. Identify critical security-related Outlook settings that should be enforced.
3. Create and assign new Cloud Policies to relevant user groups.
4. Communicate policy changes to end-users, especially regarding restricted settings.

Domain: M365-Apps · Impact: medium · Workload: M365 Apps · Essential Eight: User Application Hardening · ISM: ISM-1412, ISM-1485, ISM-1486, ISM-1542, ISM-1585, ISM-1667, ISM-1668, ISM-1669, ISM-1670, ISM-1823, ISM-1824, ISM-1859, ISM-1860