[m365weekly] #158

M365 Newsletter title logo M365 Weekly Newsletter

Issue #158

☁️What’s on my mind

Thankfully, I don’t have much on my mind this week. I’m clearing my head on holiday.

Enjoy the links in this issue.

Have a nice week,
Matic Z.


[FEATURED STORY] Passkeys in Microsoft 365 – they’re (almost) here

Microsoft 365 is introducing device-bound passkeys, a phishing-resistant credential now in public preview. These passkeys are FIDO2 Discoverable Credentials that can be used with the Microsoft Authenticator app on iOS and Android for secure authentication. To enable device-bound passkeys, admins should enforce key restrictions and allow specified passkey providers in their FIDO2 policy. This feature enhances security by making multi-factor authentication even more resistant to phishing attacks.

Get started with passkeys in Microsoft 365.


Are you looking for IT talent?

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☁️Productivity & Modern Workplace

How to use the NEW Microsoft Outlook! Master the New Outlook with customized interfaces, efficient inbox management, and seamless integration with Microsoft 365 apps. Leverage updated calendar features and time-saving tools for increased productivity.

 A 3,400 visio shapes, stencils, symbols, and icons collection to visually represent IT infrastructure. Looking for a comprehensive collection of Microsoft Visio stencils, templates, and documents? Check out this repository with over 3,650 artifacts to help you create consistent and professional Visio diagrams. The collection is regularly updated, and you can even contribute to it by forking the repository and sending updates.


☁️Copilot & AI

Copilot For Security Prompting Samples For Microsoft Intune. Microsoft Copilot for Security, an AI-powered tool, integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Intune to provide valuable insights from your Intune data using natural language prompts. This powerful tool simplifies tasks like incident response, threat hunting, and intelligence gathering, allowing you to respond quickly to security issues and keep your organization safe.

Can Microsoft Copilot Write Simple SQL Commands for You? Microsoft Copilot can assist employees with basic SQL code, improving efficiency. By asking specific questions, Copilot provides useful SQL commands. However, always double-check the results.

Copilot Productivity Tip – Teams Message Rewrite. Struggling to convey emotions effectively in your messages? Copilot in Microsoft Teams can help you rewrite and adjust your text for better communication. For instance, turning a blunt disagreement into a more thoughtful and enthusiastic response.


☁️Sysadmin Stuff

Deprecation of SMTP Authentication (Client Submission) in EXO. Microsoft is retiring Basic authentication for Exchange Online’s Client Submission (SMTP AUTH) by September 2025. Transition to OAuth for enhanced email security and avoid disruptions in service.

Compose and Send Teams Urgent Messages with PowerShell. Automate sending urgent Microsoft Teams messages using PowerShell and the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK. Connect to the Graph with delegated permissions, and use the New-MgChatMessage cmdlet to send messages with inline images and mentions. Mark messages as urgent by setting the importance parameter to “urgent.”

How to Block Senders in Microsoft 365. Struggling with spam in Microsoft 365? Use the Tenant Allow/Block list in the Microsoft Defender portal for the best results. Other options include Outlook’s Blocked Senders list, anti-spam policies, mail flow rules, or IP Block lists.


☁️Security & Data Governance

Using Entra ID Support for Passkey Authentication with Microsoft 365. Microsoft recommends using passkeys for stronger multifactor authentication in Entra ID accounts. Managed by the Microsoft Authenticator app, passkeys use public key cryptography and require biometric or local device authentication. While offering better protection against phishing, the challenge lies in simplifying passkeys without compromising security.

Your Conditional Access Policies Suck. Implementing strong conditional access policies is essential for reducing your attack surface and enhancing security. Focus on baseline policies like requiring MFA for all users and using phishing-resistant MFA for admins.

How to set up Microsoft Entra Verified ID. Microsoft Entra Verified ID is a decentralized solution for easy user identity verification online, offering secure remote employee onboarding. Additional features like Face Check enhance security, making it a convenient tool to improve authentication across various services.


☁️Noteworthy (long)reads

How we deployed Copilot for 365. Integrating Copilot at Random Creation House has significantly improved productivity and idea generation. The AI assistant, which works with various Microsoft 365 apps, has transformed how the team works and communicates, providing valuable insights for others considering Copilot implementation.

Microsoft Shares Your Data With 801 Third Parties. The new Outlook update turns Microsoft’s email app into a data collection platform for targeted advertising, sharing user information with 801 external partners. European users are informed about third-party data access under the GDPR. This shift aligns Microsoft with other tech giants prioritizing advertising income through user data collection and analysis.


DATES TO KEEP IN MIND

By September 30, 2024 – Business Connectivity Services (BCS) retirement in Microsoft 365. (Timeline and alternative solution)

December 16, 2024Retiring of Delve application.

End of 2024 – Mail and Calendar Apps in Windows will be retired. The new Outlook will be installed on new Windows 11 devices.

October 2026Retirement of Microsoft Publisher app which has been a part of Office Suite for years.


☁️Classifieds

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☁️On a Less Serious Note


☁️ Last but not least …

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