Microsoft Removes High-Privilege Access to Strengthen Microsoft 365 Security

Microsoft has taken a significant step forward in bolstering the security of its Microsoft 365 ecosystem by systematically eliminating high-privileged access (HPA) across all applications, as part of its broader Secure Future Initiative (SFI).

This initiative integrates efforts across the company’s infrastructure, products, and services to enhance cybersecurity protections, with a particular emphasis on the Protect Tenants and Isolate Production Systems pillar.

HPA is defined technically as scenarios where an application or service gains broad, impersonating access to customer content without requiring user context verification, such as in service-to-service (S2S) interactions.

Advancing Cybersecurity

For instance, if Application B accesses stored customer data in Application A via APIs without authenticated user delegation, it exemplifies HPA, potentially enabling identity assumption and amplifying risks like service compromises, credential leaks, or token exposures.

By enforcing continuous least privilege principles, Microsoft ensures that all inter-application communications within Microsoft 365 adhere to minimal necessary permissions ...