Microsoft Secure Score Below 40? Here’s What That Means

If your organization has a Microsoft Secure Score below 40, it is a sign that your Microsoft 365 environment likely has significant security gaps that could put your business at risk. While a low score does not automatically mean your organization has been compromised, it does indicate that Microsoft has identified recommended security improvements that have not yet been implemented.

Many businesses purchase Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Microsoft 365 E3 expecting to be protected out of the box. The reality is that many of the most important security features require configuration before they provide meaningful protection.

If your Microsoft Secure Score below 40 is causing concern, this guide explains what Secure Score measures, why it matters, and the steps you can take to improve your organization’s security posture.

What Is Microsoft Secure Score?

Microsoft Secure Score is a security analytics tool included with Microsoft 365. It evaluates your organization’s security settings and compares them against Microsoft’s recommended best practices.

The score is based on hundreds of security controls across Microsoft products including:

• Microsoft Entra ID
• Microsoft Defender
• Exchange Online
• Microsoft Teams
• SharePoint Online
• Microsoft Intune
• Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Each recommended security action contributes points toward your overall score. As you implement additional protections, your Secure Score increases.

Microsoft designed Secure Score to help organizations prioritize security improvements instead of trying to implement everything at once. According to Microsoft’s guidance, Secure Score should be viewed as a way to measure progress over time rather than as a compliance certification. The recommendations are intended to reduce risk while remaining practical for businesses of all sizes.

Is a Microsoft Secure Score Below 40 Bad?

Generally speaking, yes.

A Microsoft Secure Score below 40 usually indicates that many foundational security controls have not yet been enabled.

Some of the most common missing protections include:

• Multifactor authentication not enforced
• Legacy authentication still enabled
• Conditional Access policies missing
• Devices not managed through Intune
• Weak password policies
• Limited email protection
• No endpoint detection and response
• Missing phishing protection
• Inactive audit logging

None of these issues guarantee that an attack will occur. However, cybercriminals routinely exploit organizations that have not implemented these basic protections.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends implementing strong identity protection, multifactor authentication, and continuous monitoring as part of a layered cybersecurity strategy. These practices align closely with Microsoft’s Secure Score recommendations.

Why Secure Score Matters

Cyber attacks rarely begin with sophisticated hacking techniques.

Instead, attackers typically look for organizations that have overlooked basic security settings.

For example:

• A compromised password without multifactor authentication
• An employee clicking a phishing email
• An unmanaged laptop connecting to company resources
• A former employee whose account was never disabled

Microsoft Secure Score helps identify these common weaknesses before attackers do.

Think of it like a routine inspection for your IT environment. It highlights opportunities to strengthen security before they become costly incidents.

What Causes a Low Secure Score?

Businesses often assume their Microsoft environment is secure because they purchased Microsoft 365 licenses.

Unfortunately, licensing alone does not configure security.

Some of the most common reasons organizations have a Microsoft Secure Score below 40 include:

Multifactor Authentication Is Not Fully Enabled

MFA is one of the most effective ways to stop account compromise.

Microsoft has consistently reported that multifactor authentication significantly reduces the likelihood of identity-based attacks.

Many businesses enable MFA only for administrators while leaving standard users unprotected.

Legacy Authentication Is Still Allowed

Older authentication protocols do not support modern security controls like MFA.

Attackers frequently target legacy authentication because it bypasses many protections.

Disabling these outdated protocols is often one of the fastest ways to improve your Secure Score.

Devices Are Not Managed

If employee laptops are not enrolled in Microsoft Intune or another endpoint management platform, your organization has limited visibility into:

• Device encryption
• Operating system updates
• Antivirus status
• Compliance policies

Managed devices dramatically reduce security risks.

Conditional Access Is Missing

Conditional Access allows businesses to define who can access company resources under specific conditions.

For example:

• Block logins from foreign countries
• Require MFA when users connect from unknown devices
• Restrict access to compliant computers only

Without Conditional Access, organizations rely solely on usernames and passwords.

Email Security Is Underconfigured

Email remains the most common delivery method for malware and phishing attacks.

Organizations often overlook features such as:

• Safe Links
• Safe Attachments
• Anti-phishing policies
• Spoof protection

Enabling these protections can improve both Secure Score and overall cybersecurity.

How to Improve a Microsoft Secure Score Below 40

The good news is that improving your Secure Score does not happen overnight, nor should it.

Instead, focus on implementing the highest impact recommendations first.

Some priorities include:

Enable Multifactor Authentication

This should be the first security improvement for nearly every organization.

Protect all users, not just administrators.

Configure Conditional Access

Build policies that require stronger authentication while minimizing disruptions for employees.

Disable Legacy Authentication

Eliminate older login methods that attackers commonly abuse.

Manage Every Business Device

Enroll company computers into Microsoft Intune to improve visibility and enforce security policies.

Turn On Microsoft Defender Features

Many organizations already pay for advanced security capabilities but never activate them.

Review available protections for:

• Endpoint security
• Email security
• Identity protection
• Cloud applications

Review Secure Score Monthly

Microsoft continually updates recommendations as new threats emerge.

Reviewing your Secure Score every month helps ensure your security posture continues improving over time.

Secure Score Is Only One Part of Cybersecurity

It is important to remember that Secure Score measures configuration, not overall security maturity.

A business could have a relatively high Secure Score and still face risks from:

• Untrained employees
• Weak backup strategies
• Third-party vendor vulnerabilities
• Poor incident response planning

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) emphasizes that cybersecurity should combine technology, people, and documented processes rather than relying on a single measurement. A comprehensive cybersecurity program includes risk management, user awareness training, asset management, and continuous improvement.

Secure Score should be one tool within a broader cybersecurity strategy.

When Should You Get Help?

If your Microsoft Secure Score below 40 remains low despite internal efforts, it may be time to bring in a Managed Service Provider with Microsoft security expertise.

An experienced MSP can:

• Perform a Microsoft 365 security assessment
• Review your Secure Score recommendations
• Prioritize improvements based on business risk
• Configure Microsoft Intune and Conditional Access
• Deploy Microsoft Defender protections
• Monitor your environment for emerging threats

Rather than chasing points, the goal is to reduce your organization’s real-world risk while maintaining productivity.

Final Thoughts

Seeing a Microsoft Secure Score below 40 should not cause panic, but it should prompt action.

The score indicates that your Microsoft 365 environment has opportunities for improvement, many of which involve foundational security controls that significantly reduce the likelihood of cyber attacks.

By enabling multifactor authentication, implementing Conditional Access, managing devices, strengthening email security, and reviewing Secure Score regularly, businesses can dramatically improve their cybersecurity posture.

If you’re unsure where to begin, the team at PivIT Strategy can perform a Microsoft 365 security assessment, explain your Secure Score in plain language, and help you implement the changes that matter most. Improving your score is not just about earning more points. It is about protecting your business, your employees, and your customers from today’s evolving cyber threats.