Microsoft 365 is where government work happens - email, documents, collaboration - and identity is the key to all of it. ALINEDS manages Microsoft 365 and identity for government and regulated organizations: Exchange, SharePoint, and Teams, plus Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID with conditional access and multi-factor authentication. We keep the platform running, secure, and governed - so the right people have the right access, sensitive data stays protected, and your M365 environment supports the work instead of getting in the way.
Why it matters
For most agencies, Microsoft 365 and its identity system are the front door to everything - which makes them the prize attackers want and the control plane you can't afford to run loosely. Weak identity is behind most breaches; misconfigured M365 leaks data quietly. Managing identity and M365 well - conditional access, least privilege, proper governance - is one of the highest-leverage security and productivity investments a public organization can make.
What you get
Microsoft 365 administration
We manage Exchange, SharePoint, Teams, and the M365 tenant - configuration, licensing, and day-to-day operations.
Identity & access management
We manage Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID: users, groups, roles, and least-privilege access.
Conditional access & MFA
We enforce conditional access and multi-factor authentication so access depends on who, what, and where - not just a password.
Security & data protection
We configure M365 security and data-protection controls to keep sensitive information from leaking.
Governance & lifecycle
We govern joiner-mover-leaver identity changes so access stays current and orphaned accounts don't linger.
Migration & modernization
We migrate to M365 and from legacy AD toward modern, cloud-based identity where it fits.
How it works
Assess
Review your M365 tenant and identity posture for gaps and risks.
Secure
Implement conditional access, MFA, and least-privilege access.
Operate
Manage the platform, users, and licensing day to day.
Govern
Keep identity lifecycle, access, and configuration in good standing.
Where it fits
M365 security hardening
Close the misconfigurations and weak identity settings attackers exploit.
Conditional access rollout
Move from passwords-alone to identity-aware, MFA-enforced access.
Identity lifecycle governance
Automate and control joiner-mover-leaver access changes.
Legacy AD to Entra ID
Modernize identity toward cloud-based Microsoft Entra ID.
Key distinctions
Managed identity (conditional access + MFA) vs. passwords alone
| Aspect | Managed identity | Passwords alone |
|---|---|---|
| Access decision | Who, what, device, location | Just a password |
| Breach resistance | Strong (MFA, conditional) | Weak |
| Least privilege | Enforced & reviewed | Drifts over time |
| Orphaned accounts | Governed out | Linger as risk |
| Compliance | Auditable | Hard to prove |
Compliance & security
Identity governed to the standards you answer to
We manage M365 and identity to NIST 800-53 and NIST CSF 2.0, with conditional access and MFA supporting zero-trust access, and HIPAA, FERPA, or CJIS-aware configuration where data is sensitive. Access is least-privilege, reviewed, and auditable.
- NIST 800-53
- NIST CSF 2.0
- GovRAMP
- HIPAA
- FERPA
- CJIS
Key terms
- Microsoft Entra ID
- Microsoft's cloud identity and access service (formerly Azure Active Directory) that controls who can access what.
- Conditional access
- Policies that grant or block access based on conditions like user, device, and location - a core zero-trust control.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Requiring more than a password to sign in, sharply reducing account-takeover risk.
Frequently asked
What does managing Microsoft 365 involve?
Administering Exchange, SharePoint, Teams, and the tenant - configuration, licensing, security, and day-to-day operations - plus the identity layer behind it.
What is Microsoft Entra ID?
Microsoft's cloud identity service (formerly Azure Active Directory). It controls who can access your systems and under what conditions.
What is conditional access?
Policies that decide access based on user, device, location, and risk - so a valid password alone isn't enough. It's a core zero-trust control.
Why is MFA so important?
Most account breaches start with a stolen password. MFA requires a second factor, blocking the large majority of those attacks.
Can you manage identity for a hybrid AD + cloud setup?
Yes. We manage on-prem Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, and the hybrid between them, and can modernize toward cloud identity.
Can you help us secure an M365 tenant we already run?
Yes. Hardening an existing tenant's identity and security configuration is a common engagement.
How does this reduce our risk?
Strong identity - least privilege, conditional access, MFA, governed lifecycle - closes the most common path attackers use to get in.
Can you help us move email or files to Microsoft 365?
Yes. We handle migrations to M365 - Exchange email, SharePoint/OneDrive files, and Teams - planned to minimize disruption and preserve access and permissions.