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Understanding Risky Sign-ins
As a small or medium-sized business (SMB), you might assume that cybercriminals only target large enterprises. Unfortunately, that’s no longer true. In fact, smaller organisations are often seen as easier targets due to limited in-house IT resources and less mature security practices.
One of the most effective ways to protect your Microsoft 365 environment is by monitoring for risky sign-ins - and that’s exactly where we come in.
So, what are risky sign-ins? Risky sign-ins are login attempts that Microsoft 365 flags as potentially malicious. These could include:
- Sign-ins from unusual locations or unfamiliar IP addresses
- Multiple failed login attempts (brute force attacks)
- Sign-ins from anonymous IP addresses or TOR networks
- Sign-ins from known infected devices
Microsoft uses machine learning and global threat intelligence to assign a risk level to each login attempt. Ignoring these alerts could leave your business vulnerable to account takeovers, data breaches, and compliance failures.
Why It Matters
A compromised Microsoft 365 account can have serious consequences:
- Unauthorised access to business emails and sensitive files
- Phishing attacks launched from your own domain
- Financial fraud or internal data theft
- Reputational damage with clients and partners
These attacks are often stealthy. You might not even know your account has been breached until it’s too late. That’s why real-time monitoring and a proactive response are critical.
How We Monitor Risky Sign-ins for You
At Telanova, we’ve invested in the tools, knowledge, and processes to monitor and respond to risky sign-ins across all our clients’ Microsoft 365 environments. One of our core tools is Microsoft Lighthouse.
Microsoft Lighthouse is built for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) like us. It provides a centralised dashboard for monitoring security across all our customer accounts. This allows us to:
- Track and review risky sign-ins in real-time
- Receive alerts for suspicious or high-risk logins
- Investigate sign-in patterns and take quick action
- Apply security policies consistently across all your users
This means that if anything suspicious happens, we’ll often know before you do - and we can act fast to secure your business.
What You Can Do
While we manage the security technology behind the scenes, there are a few simple steps you can take to support a secure Microsoft 365 environment:
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users - it’s one of the best ways to block unauthorised access
- Educate your team on phishing, social engineering, and safe password practices
- Report suspicious activity like unexpected login prompts or security warnings
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does Microsoft consider a “risky sign-in”?
A risky sign-in is flagged when Microsoft’s security engine detects something unusual - like logging in from an unusual country, using anonymised tools, or trying to bypass normal behaviour patterns.
Do I need Microsoft 365 Premium to monitor risky sign-ins?
Some features are enhanced in premium plans, but monitoring is available in most Microsoft 365 plans. We handle this for you with tools like Microsoft Lighthouse regardless of your subscription level.
What happens if a risky sign-in is detected?
We are notified via alerts, and we investigate immediately. Depending on the severity, we can block access, reset passwords, review audit logs, or escalate the incident for further action.
Can I monitor risky sign-ins myself?
Technically yes, but it requires constant monitoring, understanding threat signals, and knowing how to respond. That’s why working with an MSP like Telanova makes the process safer and more efficient.
What if a staff member travels abroad - will that trigger alerts?
Possibly, but we can whitelist legitimate travel and identify real threats vs expected activity. It’s all part of the ongoing management we provide.
Ready to Strengthen Your Microsoft 365 Defences?
With Microsoft Lighthouse and Telanova’s proactive approach, you don’t have to face cyber threats alone. We work with businesses across Ascot, Bracknell, Wokingham, Reading, and the wider Berkshire region to secure their Microsoft 365 environments.
Learn more about our IT support services or give us a call on 01344 989 530 to discuss how we can help you stay protected against account breaches and cyber risks.
