What is Microsoft Lighthouse?

As the business world becomes increasingly digital, it's essential to have strong security measures in place to protect your sensitive information. Managed Security is a key component of any successful business strategy, and Microsoft Lighthouse (Azure Lighthouse) is an excellent tool that can help you achieve this goal. In this blog post, we'll explore what Microsoft Lighthouse is, how it can benefit your business, and why working with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) could be the smartest decision you make for your company's security needs. So, let's dive in!

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What is Microsoft Lighthouse?

Microsoft Lighthouse or Azure Lighthouse is a cloud-based security solution that helps businesses of all sizes stay protected from cyber threats. It provides valuable insights into your organization's overall security posture, identifies areas where you may be at risk, and offers recommendations for improvement.

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One of the standout features of Microsoft Lighthouse is its ability to monitor multiple tenants within one dashboard. This makes it an ideal tool for Managed Service Providers who need to manage the security of multiple clients from a centralized location.

With Microsoft Lighthouse, you can quickly identify potential vulnerabilities before they become major issues. The platform uses machine learning algorithms and other advanced technologies to analyze data in real-time and provide actionable insights that help you make informed decisions about your company's security strategy.

Microsoft Lighthouse is an effective and efficient way to protect your business from cyber threats. Its intuitive interface and comprehensive reporting capabilities make it easy to use even if you're not a cybersecurity expert.

How can Microsoft Lighthouse Help My Business?

Microsoft Lighthouse is a cloud-based service that helps businesses optimize their Microsoft 365 environment. It offers a range of features such as security, compliance, and analytics to ensure your business operations run smoothly.

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One of the main benefits of using Microsoft Lighthouse is that it can help improve your business's efficiency by providing insights into how you use your technology resources. This allows you to make more informed decisions about where to allocate resources and streamline processes.

In addition, Microsoft Lighthouse provides advanced security features, which helps keep sensitive data secure and reduce the risk of cyberattacks. With its built-in threat protection capabilities, you can rest assured knowing that your business is protected from any potential threats.

Moreover, this tool also makes it easier for businesses to stay compliant with industry regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA by monitoring activity across all devices on the network and ensuring they meet regulatory requirements.

Implementing Microsoft Lighthouse in your organization can have significant benefits for improving efficiency, enhancing security measures and staying compliant with regulations.

How Does Microsoft Lighthouse Make My Business More Secure?

Microsoft Lighthouse is an all-in-one solution for businesses seeking to enhance their security and protect against cyber threats. With Lighthouse, your business will benefit from a comprehensive suite of security features that work together to detect and prevent attacks.

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One way that Microsoft Lighthouse makes your business more secure is by providing advanced threat protection capabilities. This includes real-time monitoring of network activity, as well as automatic alerts when suspicious behavior is detected.

Lighthouse also helps you stay ahead of emerging threats through its regular updates and patches. These updates ensure that your systems are always up to date with the latest security protocols, making it harder for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities in your software.

Another key feature of Microsoft Lighthouse is its ability to provide granular control over user access permissions. With this level of control, you can restrict access to sensitive data and applications only to authorized personnel within your organization.

Microsoft Lighthouse offers built-in compliance tools that help you meet regulatory requirements such as GDPR or HIPAA. By automating many compliance tasks, such as data retention policies or risk assessments, Lighthouse frees up valuable time for your IT staff so they can focus on other critical aspects of keeping your business secure.

Microsoft Lighthouse provides robust security features designed specifically for modern businesses facing complex cybersecurity challenges. By leveraging these features alongside ongoing support from a managed services provider (MSP), you can enjoy peace-of-mind knowing that your systems are protected against even the most sophisticated attacks.

How do I get Microsoft Lighthouse?

Getting Microsoft Lighthouse for your business is straightforward and easy. It starts with selecting a managed service provider (MSP) that offers this service. MSPs are experts in providing IT services to businesses, and they can help you set up Microsoft Lighthouse quickly.

Once you have chosen the right MSP, they will work with you to assess your security needs and tailor Microsoft Lighthouse to meet those requirements. They will also provide ongoing support and maintenance for the system, ensuring it continues to protect your business from threats.

To get started with Microsoft Lighthouse, all you need is an Azure subscription. If you don't already have one, your MSP can help set this up for you as part of their service offering.

Getting Microsoft Lighthouse is a simple process that begins by partnering with an experienced MSP who knows how to leverage this powerful tool effectively. With their guidance and expertise, you can implement robust security measures that safeguard your business against cyberattacks while enjoying peace of mind knowing that your data is protected 24/7.

Microsoft Lighthouse Costs

One of the main concerns for businesses when considering new technology solutions is the cost. Microsoft Lighthouse is a powerful tool that can provide many benefits, but what are the costs associated with it?

Firstly, it's important to note that Microsoft Lighthouse is currently only available through Managed Service Providers (MSPs). This means that in order to access Lighthouse, you will need to engage an MSP and pay their fees.

The cost of using an MSP varies depending on the MSP you are working with, your business needs and how much support you require. However, utilizing an MSP can actually save businesses money in the long run as they help prevent costly security breaches and downtime.

In terms of Microsoft Lighthouse specifically, there may be additional costs involved such as licensing fees for certain features or integrations with other applications. It's best to discuss these potential costs with your chosen MSP before committing to anything.

While there may be some upfront costs associated with implementing Microsoft Lighthouse through an MSP, the long-term benefits and savings make it a worthwhile investment for any business looking to improve their security posture.

What's New in Microsoft 365 Lighthouse?

May 2023 Updates

GDAP Setup now checks for required roles

Microsoft has recently made improvements to the GDAP Setup feature in Microsoft 365 Lighthouse. Now, before you begin, it will automatically check if you have the necessary roles. If you don't, don't worry! A helpful message will alert you and guide you on what to do next.

To access the GDAP Setup in Lighthouse, simply navigate to the GDAP Setup card on the home page and click on the "Set up GDAP" option.

For more detailed instructions and information, please refer to this article "Set up GDAP for your customers in Microsoft 365 Lighthouse". 

We always strive to enhance your experience with Microsoft Lighthouse, and this latest update ensures a smoother setup process by ensuring you have the required roles.

June 2023 Updates

Deployment task for managing Windows updates

You can now deploy Windows update deployment policies to ensure customer tenant devices have the latest security patches, bug fixes, and performance improvements. You'll also gain insight into which tenants are missing the Windows update deployment policies, which tenants are in the process of implementing the policies, and which ones have successfully implemented the policies. 

To learn more, see here for an overview of using Microsoft 365 Lighthouse baselines to deploy standard tenant configurations. 

Access to admin centers from Lighthouse

Microsoft has added admin center links to Microsoft 365 Lighthouse so you can more efficiently manage your customers. The admin center links let you go directly from Lighthouse to the applicable admin center for the selected customer tenant.

You can access the admin center links from the Tenants page or by using the Tenants filter available throughout Lighthouse. On the Tenants page, select the three dots (more actions) next to the customer tenant whose services you want to manage, and then select Manage services to open the list of admin center links.

To learn more, see here for an overview of the Tenants page in Microsoft 365 Lighthouse.

Risky users for all tenants

The latest update to the Risky Users page in Microsoft 365 Lighthouse brings exciting enhancements. Now, regardless of whether your customer tenants have Azure Active Directory Premium P1 or above, you can access risky user information for all onboarded tenants. Even if a tenant only has a license for Microsoft Defender for Business or Windows 365 Business, you'll still have visibility into user accounts flagged for risky behavior within that tenant. This update ensures that you can effectively monitor and address security risks across all your customer tenants, providing comprehensive protection for your business.

To see this updated functionality, in the left navigation pane in Microsoft 365 Lighthouse, select Users > Risky users.

Detailed user metrics

Gain valuable insights into the metrics of your managed user accounts by navigating to the Users > Account management > User metrics section. Here, you'll have a comprehensive overview of your user base, including the number of users, licensed users, guest users, Global Administrators, inactive users, and unblocked shared mailboxes across your customer tenants. This valuable data empowers you to efficiently and effectively manage user accounts, ensuring the optimal health and performance of your customer tenants.

From the User metrics page, you can also quickly access the Microsoft 365 admin center, where you can view comprehensive user information and take additional actions.

July 2023 Updates

Sales Advisor is now part of Microsoft 365 Lighthouse

Sales Advisor, formerly known as Project Orland in Partner Center Insights, is now integrated into Microsoft 365 Lighthouse.

Sales Advisor empowers you to unlock the potential of AI-driven intelligence, driving exponential business growth and enabling the delivery of scalable managed services to your valued customers. With Sales Advisor at your disposal, you can uncover proactive, actionable, and tailor-made recommendations to acquire new customers, enhance customer loyalty, and expand your business with premium offerings.

To view Sales Advisor in Lighthouse, in the left navigation pane, select Sales Advisor > Opportunities. 

How a Managed Service Provider (MSP) Can Help My Business

A Managed Service Provider (MSP) can help your business in many ways when it comes to managed security. They offer proactive monitoring, maintenance and management of IT systems, which helps reduce downtime and improve productivity. MSPs also provide quick response times for any issues that arise, helping to minimize the impact on your business.

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In addition to providing technical support, MSPs often have expertise in various industries and can tailor their services to meet specific needs. This means they can provide customized solutions that align with your business goals.

Outsourcing these tasks allows you to focus on core competencies and frees up internal resources for other projects. It also provides access to specialized tools and software that may be too expensive or complex for a small or mid-sized business to manage independently.

By partnering with an MSP for managed security services like Microsoft Lighthouse, businesses can take advantage of extensive support from experts who are dedicated solely to managing their IT infrastructure. This ensures continuous uptime while minimizing risks associated with cyber-attacks such as malware infections or data breaches.

Working with an MSP is a smart investment when it comes to keeping your company safe from cyber threats while allowing your team members the time needed focus on growing the business itself.

How Do MSP's Save Businesses Money?

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can help businesses cut costs in a number of ways. Firstly, MSPs provide proactive monitoring and management of IT systems which helps to identify potential problems before they become major issues. This means that downtime is reduced, and productivity is increased which saves money.

Secondly, MSPs can help businesses save money on hardware and software purchases. They have relationships with vendors which enable them to negotiate better deals for their clients. Additionally, they can recommend the most appropriate solutions for each client’s needs rather than pushing unnecessary or expensive products.

Thirdly, MSPs provide support services that are more affordable than hiring an in-house IT team. With an MSP, you only pay for the services you use instead of paying a full-time salary for an employee who may not be fully utilized.

By working with an MSP business owners can focus on growing their business rather than worrying about technology issues. This results in higher revenues and profits over time as well as cost savings associated with avoiding costly mistakes related to technology implementation.

In summary, partnering with an experienced managed service provider not only helps businesses run smoothly but also saves them significant amounts of money over time by reducing downtime, negotiating better pricing on hardware/software purchases, and providing more affordable support services compared to hiring full-time employees.

Why You Should Work with a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Business Applications.

When it comes to implementing technology solutions for your business, it's important to work with a partner who is knowledgeable and experienced in the specific products or services you need. This is where Microsoft Solutions Partners come in.

Microsoft Solutions Partners are experts in various Microsoft technologies, including business applications like Microsoft Lighthouse. Working with a partner can ensure that your implementation goes smoothly and efficiently, without any hiccups along the way.

Additionally, by working with a Microsoft Solutions Partner, you'll have access to their extensive knowledge base and resources. They can provide training sessions for your team members on how to use the technology effectively and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

Most importantly, partnering with an expert ensures that you're getting the most out of your investment. With their guidance and expertise, they can help tailor solutions specifically for your business needs while keeping costs low.

In short, partnering with a Microsoft Solutions Partner provides peace of mind knowing that you have someone on hand who understands both your business goals and how best to achieve them through technology solutions.

Conclusion - Work with an MSP to Get Microsoft Lighthouse

In today's digital age, it is essential to have a strong and secure IT infrastructure to protect your business from cyber threats. Microsoft Lighthouse is an excellent tool for businesses looking to enhance their security measures and streamline their operations.

By working with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) like us, you can leverage the expertise of professionals who specialize in providing Managed Security Services. We will not only help you get set up with Microsoft Lighthouse but also offer ongoing support to ensure that your business remains protected against evolving cyber threats.

Moreover, MSPs can save you money by offering cost-effective solutions tailored precisely to fit your unique needs. You don't need to invest in expensive hardware or personnel when you partner with an MSP.

It's always best to work with a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Business Applications like us because we are experts in our field and understand how different technologies work together seamlessly.

So, if you're interested in getting started with managed security services using Microsoft Lighthouse, reach out to us today! Let us help safeguard your business while saving costs along the way.