Guidance

Microsoft 365 Guidance for UK Government

The Microsoft 365 Guidance for UK government is a set of recommended configurations for UK government organisations using Microsoft 365

Microsoft has produced various pieces of guidance for the UK government, in partnership with the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). These have been created to support government organisations that use Microsoft 365. They outline how to configure the Microsoft 365 platform to enable a secure and interoperable experience for civil servants operating at the OFFICIAL tier.

This guidance is intended for IT professionals who administer enterprise Microsoft 365 platforms in UK government organisations or partner organisations. Attention should be paid to the dates that the guidance was published as subsequent technology changes may not be reflected in the current guidance.

Microsoft 365 Configuration Guidance for UK Government: Secure Configuration Blueprint

The Secure Configuration Blueprint outlines baseline security settings for Microsoft 365 that government organisations should have in place.

It was produced by Microsoft, with Government Digital Service (GDS) and the NCSC.

Access the Secure Configuration Blueprint

Microsoft 365 Configuration Guidance for UK Government: Information Protection

The Information Protection guidance outlines configurations for sensitivity labels and data loss prevention features in Microsoft 365, in line with the 2023 update to the Government Security Classifications Policy.

It was produced by Microsoft with CDDO, Government Security Group and the NCSC in 2023.

Access the Information Protection guidance

Microsoft 365 Configuration Guidance for UK Government: External Collaboration

The External Collaboration guidance outlines a standard configuration to enable external collaboration between government organisations that use Microsoft 365. This includes instant messaging, document sharing and co-authoring, SharePoint and Teams sites, calendar availability and shared channels.

It was produced by Microsoft with CDDO and the NCSC in 2022 and updated in 2023.

Access the External Collaboration guidance

Published 5 October 2023