Microsoft Announces Security Advances Across Windows, Microsoft 365, More

Lost in all the excitement about Microsoft’s AI announcements today, the software giant also announced a set of security advances across Windows, Microsoft 365, Intune, and Defender.

“As we rapidly iterate and improve technology, it’s imperative that we do so with a security-first mindset,” Microsoft corporate vice president Vasu Jakkal writes in the announcement post. “This means both building products that are secure by default and ensuring that we are adopting and deploying new technologies, like AI, in a secure and responsible way.”

Here’s what’s new.

Improved passkeys in Windows 11. Starting in Windows 11 version 23H2, which arrives in preview form on September 26, users can take advantage of new passkeys features that make the passwordless future a bit closer. First, it supports cross-device passkeys registration, like GitHub. And Windows Hello can use passkeys to access websites or applications using your face, fingerprint, or PIN.

Application control in Intune. Formerly called Windows Defender Application Control, Application Control for Business uses a trust model to ensure that only approved, secure, and trusted apps are allowed onto devices.

OneDrive Advanced Security comes to Microsoft 365 Basic. Previously available only on the more expensive Microsoft 365 consumer subscriptions, OneDrive Advanced Security adds features like unlimited files in Personal Vault, expiring sharing links, password-protected sharing links, files restore, and ransomware detection and recovery.

Credit monitoring and privacy protection in Microsoft Defender for Individuals. Users in the U.S. now receive credit monitoring and privacy protection services from Microsoft Defender for Individuals, Microsoft’s free security service. Privacy protection shields sensitive data from threats when users are connected to open and public Wi-Fi networks.