MICROSOFT 365 MANAGEMENT

Firethorne Tech configures and manages Microsoft 365 to maximize productivity while aligning with compliance frameworks like CMMC, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and ISO 27001. From security policies to licensing optimization, we ensure your M365 environment is secure, compliant, and audit-ready.

WHY MICROSOFT 365

Microsoft 365 has become the backbone of modern business IT, offering powerful tools for collaboration, productivity, and security. With applications like Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive, M365 centralizes how employees communicate and share information. But beyond productivity, Microsoft has invested heavily in enterprise-grade security and compliance features — making it one of the best platforms for organizations in regulated industries such as defense, healthcare, finance, and critical infrastructure.

When properly configured, Microsoft 365 can help organizations meet requirements from frameworks like CMMC, NIST 800-171, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and ISO 27001. Features like multi-factor authentication (MFA), conditional access policies, encryption, retention rules, and advanced auditing give businesses the tools they need to reduce risk and stay audit-ready. The challenge is that many businesses deploy Microsoft 365 without enabling or managing these capabilities, leaving compliance gaps and security vulnerabilities. That’s where Firethorne comes in — ensuring you get the most out of Microsoft 365 by aligning it with both your business needs and compliance requirements.

CORE AREAS OF MICROSOFT 365 MANAGEMENT

Microsoft 365 includes a wide range of security and compliance capabilities, but simply having the licenses is not enough to achieve compliance. Frameworks like CMMC, NIST 800-171, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, ISO 27001, and CIS Controls require organizations to prove they are applying the right policies and technical safeguards. Many businesses miss critical features because they aren’t configured properly, leaving compliance gaps and security risks. Firethorne Tech bridges that gap by mapping Microsoft 365’s capabilities directly to your compliance requirements, ensuring that tools like Entra ID, Intune, Defender, and Purview are configured to deliver both productivity and regulatory alignment.

Licensing & Optimization

Microsoft offers multiple license tiers — Business Premium, E3, E5, and add-ons like Defender for Office 365 or Purview. Each license unlocks different security and compliance features. Many organizations either overspend on unused licenses or under-license, missing critical tools like Defender, Conditional Access, or Data Loss Prevention (DLP).

Firethorne ensures your licensing strategy aligns with compliance frameworks such as CMMC, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS, while avoiding unnecessary cost.
Identity & Access Management

User identity is at the center of modern security. With Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), organizations can enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA), conditional access policies, and role-based access control. These directly map to NIST and CMMC requirements for access restrictions and audit logging.

Firethorne configures and manages these policies to prevent unauthorized access, reduce insider risk, and ensure compliance with identity-focused controls.
Device & Endpoint Management

Endpoints like laptops, tablets, and mobile devices are often the weakest link in compliance. Microsoft Intune allows centralized deployment of security policies, patching, and device compliance enforcement. Proper configuration supports requirements for system hardening, patch management, and device-level logging.

Our team manages Intune and endpoint compliance baselines to ensure every device connected to your tenant is secure and audit-ready.
Data Protection & Compliance

Microsoft Purview provides powerful tools for data classification, labeling, retention, and loss prevention. These features directly support compliance with HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and NIST requirements around data handling and retention.

Firethorne configures DLP rules, retention schedules, and sensitivity labels so your data is always protected, monitored, and compliant — whether stored in Exchange, OneDrive, Teams, or SharePoint.
Email & Collaboration Security

Email is still the most common attack vector. With Defender for Office 365, businesses gain anti-phishing, anti-malware, and sandboxing protections. Proper mail flow rules and quarantine policies are essential to prevent compliance issues and data breaches.

Firethorne manages Defender policies, quarantine reviews, and secure collaboration settings across Teams and SharePoint to align communication channels with regulatory standards.
Monitoring & Reporting

Compliance frameworks require continuous monitoring and evidence collection. Microsoft 365 includes built-in auditing, compliance scoring, and integrations with SIEM platforms. These tools are often overlooked or misconfigured.

We enable and manage these monitoring tools, producing reports that map directly to compliance controls so leadership can see their compliance status in real-time.
Backup & Recovery

Microsoft 365 offers resilience but does not guarantee long-term data retention. Many organizations mistakenly believe Microsoft automatically backs up their data. In reality, deleted files and emails may only be recoverable for a limited time.

Firethorne ensures cloud-based backup and recovery solutions are in place for Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams. This supports business continuity and compliance requirements around availability and disaster recovery.

WHO BENEFITS FROM MICROSOFT 365 MANAGEMENT

Microsoft 365 offers powerful tools for productivity, collaboration, and security, but these features only create real value when they are configured and managed correctly. For organizations in compliance-heavy industries, proper Microsoft 365 management can be the difference between a failed audit and a secure, audit-ready environment. Firethorne Tech helps regulated businesses unlock the full potential of Microsoft 365, aligning its security and compliance capabilities with the unique requirements of industries like defense, aerospace, healthcare, finance, and critical infrastructure.

DEFENSE CONTRACTORS

Secure access control for CMMC readiness.

ALIGNING M365 WITH CMMC & NIST 800-171

Firethorne configures Microsoft 365 to meet CMMC and NIST 800-171 requirements, including MFA, conditional access, log retention, and device compliance policies. This keeps contractors audit-ready and eligible for DoD contracts.

AEROSPACE & MANUFACTURING

Protect intellectual property and supply chain data.

SAFEGUARDING IP WITH MICROSOFT 365

With Intune, Defender, and Purview, Firethorne ensures design files, CAD documents, and supplier communications are encrypted, access-controlled, and compliant with industry security frameworks.

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

HIPAA-aligned security for patient data.

MICROSOFT 365 FOR HIPAA COMPLIANCE

Firethorne leverages Purview DLP, retention policies, and encryption to protect Protected Health Information (PHI) across Exchange, Teams, and OneDrive, helping providers maintain HIPAA compliance.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

PCI-DSS and SOX support with M365.

ENFORCING DATA SECURITY STANDARDS

Microsoft 365 features like conditional access, logging, Defender for O365, and eDiscovery help financial institutions meet PCI-DSS, SOX, and GLBA requirements while reducing insider risk.

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE OPERATIONS

Secure IT and OT networks with 24/7 visibility.

COMPLIANCE ALIGNMENT FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES

Firethorne configures Microsoft 365 to enforce NIST and CIS controls, supporting segmentation, logging, and privileged access management critical to protecting OT/IT environments.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES & GOVERNMENT VENDORS

Build client trust with secure M365 practices.

DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE & DUE DILIGENCE

Firethorne’s M365 management strengthens client trust by implementing data protection, encryption, and monitoring policies, proving due diligence for compliance-heavy government contracts and client engagements.

READY TO SECURE & OPTIMIZE MICROSOFT 365?

WHY CHOOSE FIRETHORNE FOR MICROSOFT 365 MANAGEMENT

Most MSPs treat Microsoft 365 as a licensing and support platform. Firethorne takes it further — we see it as the foundation of your compliance strategy. Our approach is hands-on, security-first, and built for organizations that need to align with frameworks like CMMC, NIST 800-171, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, ISO 27001, and CIS Controls. We don’t just keep M365 running — we configure, manage, and maintain it so that your environment is both productive and audit-ready.

With Firethorne, you get more than IT administration. You get a 100% US-based team that understands regulated industries and applies Microsoft 365 in a way that protects sensitive data, enforces access control, and produces the reporting auditors want to see. Whether you need a one-time hardening project or ongoing management, Firethorne delivers M365 services that align technology with compliance and business outcomes.

COMPLIANCE-DRIVEN APPROACH

We don’t just configure Microsoft 365 for convenience — we configure it for compliance. Every policy, setting, and feature is mapped to frameworks like CMMC, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, ISO 27001, and NIST 800-171, so your environment is secure and audit-ready.

100% US-BASED TEAM

All of our services are delivered by a 100% US-based staff, never offshored. This ensures accountability, faster response times, and peace of mind knowing your sensitive data is not being managed overseas.

FRAMEWORK MAPPING EXPERTISE

Most providers stop at basic setup, but Firethorne goes deeper. We align tools like Purview, Intune, and Defender directly to compliance controls, so your policies and reports tie back to the standards your auditors expect to see.

FLEXIBLE ENGAGEMENT MODELS

Not every organization needs fully managed services. Firethorne offers both project-based M365 hardening for businesses seeking one-time compliance support, and ongoing managed services for those who want continuous monitoring and optimization.

EXPERTISE IN REGULATED INDUSTRIES

We focus on compliance-heavy industries like defense, aerospace, healthcare, finance, and critical infrastructure. This specialization means we understand your regulatory requirements and tailor Microsoft 365 management to your exact compliance needs.

SECURITY-FIRST MANAGEMENT

We treat Microsoft 365 as a security platform, not just a productivity suite. From Entra ID conditional access to Defender for Office 365, every configuration is made with threat reduction and compliance alignment in mind.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does Microsoft 365 make my organization compliant automatically?firethornetdev2025-09-04T17:25:16+00:00

Does Microsoft 365 make my organization compliant automatically?

No. Microsoft 365 provides the tools needed for compliance — such as MFA, conditional access, encryption, logging, and retention — but they must be configured and managed correctly. Firethorne ensures these features are aligned with frameworks like CMMC, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and ISO 27001 so your environment is audit-ready.

What Microsoft 365 license do I need for advanced security and compliance features?firethornetdev2025-09-04T17:25:36+00:00

What Microsoft 365 license do I need for advanced security and compliance features?

Features like Defender for Office 365, conditional access, and data loss prevention (DLP) require Microsoft 365 Business Premium, E5, or equivalent licensing. Firethorne helps organizations identify the right licensing mix to maximize compliance readiness while controlling costs.

Does Microsoft automatically back up my data?firethornetdev2025-09-04T17:26:05+00:00

Does Microsoft automatically back up my data?

Microsoft provides resiliency but not long-term backups. Deleted emails and files may only be recoverable for a limited time. Firethorne implements cloud backup and recovery solutions for Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams to ensure compliance with business continuity and data retention requirements.

How does Microsoft 365 support CMMC or NIST 800-171 compliance?firethornetdev2025-09-04T17:26:24+00:00

How does Microsoft 365 support CMMC or NIST 800-171 compliance?

Microsoft 365 features like MFA, log retention, role-based access, Intune compliance policies, and auditing align directly with CMMC and NIST 800-171 controls. Firethorne configures these features to ensure proper enforcement and provides reporting to demonstrate compliance during audits.

Can Microsoft 365 be configured for HIPAA compliance?firethornetdev2025-09-04T17:26:47+00:00

Can Microsoft 365 be configured for HIPAA compliance?

Yes. With the right configuration, Microsoft 365 supports HIPAA requirements such as encryption, DLP, and retention policies. Firethorne ensures Protected Health Information (PHI) is handled securely across Exchange, Teams, and OneDrive.

Can I get help with a one-time Microsoft 365 compliance setup, or do I need ongoing management?firethornetdev2025-09-04T17:27:07+00:00

Can I get help with a one-time Microsoft 365 compliance setup, or do I need ongoing management?

Firethorne offers both. We provide project-based hardening for organizations that need a one-time compliance-focused configuration and ongoing management services for businesses that want continuous monitoring, reporting, and optimization.