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How IT Admins Can Sign Out Inactive Users on Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365's new idle session timeout feature is an excellent way for IT admins to sign out inactive users. This ...


Microsoft 365's new idle session timeout feature is an excellent way for IT admins to sign out inactive users. This feature can help business owners looking to improve security and reduce the use of resources. Take a closer look at how this feature works and why it matters.

Idle Session Timeout on Microsoft 365 Apps

Depositphotos_11344236_XLWhen enabled, the idle session timeout feature signs out users who remained inactive for a specific period. IT admins can determine the inactivity period that leads to an automatic log-out. This feature will ultimately replace the current idle timeout settings used by SharePoint Online and Outlook web app.

How To Enable Session Timeout To Sign Out Inactive Users

Microsoft has ensured this feature is easy to use and enable. Note that the feature is optional, so IT admins must manually opt into it. Review these steps to enable it on your system:

  1. Sign in to your Office 365 tenant.
  2. In the left pane, select Security & Privacy.
  3. Under Idle Session Timeout, select On and then enter the number of minutes of inactivity that will trigger a sign out.
  4. Click Save.

Importance of the Automatic Sign Out Feature

At first glance, this feature might not seem particularly important to everyday users. In fact, some employees might find the feature annoying, especially if they failed to save their work and left their desks. However, Microsoft and IT admins identify the following benefits:

  • Booting inactive accounts from the system allows IT admins to make more accurate predictions of what the company needs to invest in for IT needs.
  • Automatic sign out can prevent inactive accounts from slowing down the system, increasing server load, and consuming valuable bandwidth.
  • Automatic log out reduces the risk of unauthorized access to company or customer data if someone else gains access to the device.
  • The timeout feature can help companies improve their security posture and reduce the risk of breaches when enabled.

The Importance of Boosting Cybersecurity Measures

In light of the rising number of cyberattacks, all companies need to improve cybersecurity measures. Microsoft 365 offers a comprehensive suite of tools to help businesses do just that. The new automatic sign out feature is one small but meaningful way that companies can improve security. Consider these reasons for investing more in your cybersecurity system.

If you'd like to find out more about bringing cloudficiency to your project, reach out to us.

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Cyberattacks are on the rise, and the cost of data breaches is increasing.

The Ponemon Institute's 2017 Cost of Data Breach Study found that the cost of a data breach ranged from $71 per compromised record to $380. The study also found that a data breach's average total organizational cost was $3.62 million. Even when companies find the responsible parties, the prosecution can take time, and retrieving ransoms paid sometimes proves impossible.

Malicious insiders are a leading cause of data breaches.

Sadly, malicious insiders were a leading cause of data breaches. In fact, organizations are struggling to keep up with the pace of these attacks. Business Wire estimates that 94% of organizations have experienced this type of breach.

External threats are becoming more sophisticated and challenging to detect.

The number of cyberattacks is increasing and attackers are becoming more sophisticated. They now target more data-rich industries, demand millions in ransom, and use bots to crack passwords. These issues and more make it increasingly difficult to detect and prevent cyberattacks.

Cybersecurity breaches can cause irreversible damage to customer relationships.

Breaches also chip away at customer trust and can drastically increase attrition rates. Customers might reduce engagement with the company or move to a competitor. Public opinion can also turn against the company if allegations of negligence or other fault-based arguments surface.

Cybersecurity investments now play a crucial role in reducing business risks.

As the number of cyberattacks increases, it becomes more crucial for businesses to invest in cybersecurity measures, such as automatic sign out. This reduces overall risk to the business, but it especially reduces communications crises and big financial payouts.

How Cloudficient Can Help You Access Automatic Log-Out Features

To access these and other advanced Microsoft features, you need to migrate to the cloud. Cloud usage centralizes data and reduces the need for physical copies, which shady characters can sometimes get their hands on. It's also important to remember that idle session timeout is just one tool in your arsenal.

Our certified migration specialists at Cloudficient have years of experience migrating companies to the cloud. We take all necessary precautions to reduce or even eliminate the risk of business disruption. Are you ready to leverage automatic sign out features for your business? Contact us for a data migration quote!

With unmatched next generation migration technology, Cloudficient is revolutionizing the way businesses retire legacy systems and transform their organization into the cloud. Our business constantly remains focused on client needs and creating product offerings that match them. We provide affordable services that are scalable, fast and seamless.

If you would like to learn more about how to bring Cloudficiency to your migration project, visit our website, or contact us.

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