Microsoft’s Latest Data Shows Native Defences Are No Longer Enough
Microsoft Defender email security continues to face major challenges, as Microsoft’s latest findings confirm.
Microsoft’s new transparency update shows that native protection alone cannot stop today’s most advanced threats. Even in well-configured Microsoft 365 environments, sophisticated phishing, impersonation and AI-generated attacks are still reaching user inboxes.
For organisations relying on Microsoft 365, this evidence is a wake-up call. Email threats are evolving faster than native controls, and businesses depending solely on Microsoft Defender email security leave users, data and operations exposed. This is why Systal enhances Microsoft’s native capabilities with enterprise-grade protection through Check Point Harmony Email and Collaboration as part of our managed service.
Key insights
- Defender blocks a large volume of known threats, but advanced phishing and impersonation attacks still bypass filters.
- Attackers design campaigns specifically to evade Microsoft 365’s detection models.
- Incomplete or misconfigured Defender policies leave exploitable gaps across organisations.
- Layered protection is now essential, as outlined in our enterprise email security guidance.
The takeaway is clear. Microsoft’s newest email security data shows that businesses must strengthen their defences immediately.
Why Enterprise Risk Is Rising Faster Than Protection
Email remains the number one entry point for corporate compromise. With AI accelerating attacker capability, phishing campaigns now include personalised lures, deepfake impersonation and highly convincing spoofed content designed to exploit weaknesses in Microsoft Defender email security.
For global organisations, the risk intensifies:
- Large user populations create more entry points for attackers.
- Hybrid and distributed workforces increase the likelihood of human error.
- Regulatory obligations amplify the consequences of breaches.
- Cloud collaboration tools such as Teams and SharePoint widen the attack surface.
Attackers understand Microsoft 365 environments extremely well. Their campaigns exploit predictable configurations and shared behaviours across organisations using Microsoft Defender email security as their primary layer.
Microsoft’s latest email security report sends a clear message. Relying only on Defender now represents an avoidable business risk.
How Systal Strengthens Protection Beyond Defender
Systal delivers a layered, intelligence-driven email security model that directly addresses weaknesses in Microsoft Defender email security and improves resilience across Microsoft 365.
- Advanced detection with Check Point Harmony Email and Collaboration. Harmony uses AI, behavioural analysis and deep inspection to identify phishing, impersonation and malware that may bypass Defender.
- Protection across email and collaboration platforms. Coverage extends across Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, Google Workspace and more.
- 24×7 monitoring from Systal’s Cyber Defence Centre. Our SOC analysts provide continuous threat hunting, alert triage and rapid incident containment.
- Fast, disruption-free integration. Harmony layers behind your existing Microsoft 365 configuration with no mail flow changes and no impact on users.
- Evidence before investment. Our free Email Health Check highlights threats currently bypassing Defender in your environment.
What Security Leaders Must Do Now
Microsoft’s latest report offers rare clarity. Defender remains valuable, but modern threats have outpaced single-layer protection. Strengthening Microsoft Defender email security requires additional controls that close visibility and detection gaps. Organisations that act now reduce account compromise, improve compliance and increase resilience. Those who delay face escalating exposure.
To see what is bypassing Microsoft Defender in your environment, complete the Email Health Check form below.
See what Microsoft Defender is missing in your environment.
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