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Configuration Guide · 2025 · ATP · Zero-Trust · Cloud Security

Step-by-Step Configuration Guide for Enabling Advanced Threat Protection (ATP). (The CISO’s Hardening Mandate for M365 and Google Workspace)

A default cloud tenant is a target. In 2025, phishing isn’t just an email—it’s a multi-stage session hijacking attack. This is the definitive CyberDudeBivash directive for deploying Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) to neutralize Business Email Compromise (BEC) and AI-authored lures at the source.By CyberDudeBivash · Founder, CyberDudeBivash Pvt LtdExecutive Guide · Long-form · 30–45 minute read

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Copyright © 2025 CyberDudeBivash Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved. High-stakes technical content requires verified tools. Some outbound links are affiliate links; commissions fund our global threat wire research.

TL;DR – Defend Your Identity Perimeter

• Microsoft Defender for Office 365 (ATP): Focus on Safe Links, Safe Attachments, and Anti-Phishing policies. Default “Standard” settings are insufficient; you must move to “Strict” for high-value targets.
• Google Workspace Advanced Protection: Prioritize Enhanced Pre-delivery Scanning, Security Sandbox, and Advanced Attachment Protection.
• The Critical Vulnerability: MFA is no longer enough. Session Hijacking via AiTM (Adversary-in-the-Middle) phishing is the #1 killer.
• The Mandate: Configure ATP as part of a Zero-Trust architecture. Mandate FIDO2 and use CyberDudeBivash SessionShield for post-login session monitoring.

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Table of Contents

1. Part 1: Microsoft 365 Defender for Office 365 Configuration
2. Part 2: Google Workspace Advanced Threat Protection Guide
3. The Invisible Wall: Solving the AiTM/Session Hijack Crisis
4. CyberDudeBivash’s 10-Point Cloud Hardening Checklist
5. Expert FAQ & Strategy

1. Part 1: Microsoft 365 Defender for Office 365 Configuration

In the Microsoft ecosystem, Advanced Threat Protection is delivered via Microsoft Defender for Office 365 (Plan 1 & 2). Most admins leave these at “Standard” presets, which is a critical failure. The CyberDudeBivash mandate requires a move to the Strict Protection preset for all executive and administrative accounts.

Step 1: Preset Security Policies

Navigate to Microsoft 365 Defender (security.microsoft.com) > Policies & rules > Threat policies > Preset Security Policies.

• Enable “Strict Protection”: This applies aggressive thresholds to anti-spam, anti-phishing, and anti-malware policies.
• Define Recipients: Assign these policies to your VIPs (CEO, CFO) and IT Admins. Attackers target the keys to the kingdom first.

Step 2: Safe Links (Time-of-Click Protection)

Go to Safe Links in Threat Policies. This feature rewrites URLs to scan them at the exact moment a user clicks.

• Mandate: Ensure “Wait for URL scanning to complete before delivering the message” is turned ON.
• Apply To: Enable for email messages, Teams, and supported Office apps. Attackers are pivoting to Teams for internal social engineering.

Step 3: Safe Attachments (Dynamic Sandboxing)

Enable Safe Attachments. Set the response to Block or Dynamic Delivery.

• Dynamic Delivery: Allows users to read the email body immediately while the attachment is detonated in a virtual sandbox. This prevents the “scanning delay” from hurting productivity while maintaining Tier 0 security.

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2. Part 2: Google Workspace Advanced Threat Protection Guide

Google Workspace utilizes Enhanced Pre-delivery Scanning and Advanced Phishing Protection (available in Business Plus and Enterprise editions). Default settings are too lenient for 2025’s AI-generated threats.

Step 1: Enhanced Phishing & Malware Protection

In the Google Admin Console, navigate to Apps > Google Workspace > Gmail > Safety.

• Enable “Enhanced pre-delivery scanning”: This allows Gmail to perform deep analysis before an email even hits the inbox.
• Spoofing and Authentication: Mandate DKIM, SPF, and DMARC. Any email failing these should be set to “Quarantine,” not just labeled.

Step 2: Security Sandbox (Exploit Prevention)

Go to Security Sandbox in the Gmail Safety settings. This detonates suspicious attachments in a virtual environment.

• Rule: Apply to all users. Attackers use compromised low-level accounts to move laterally toward executives.

3. The Invisible Wall: Solving the AiTM/Session Hijack Crisis

Even with ATP enabled, attackers are using Adversary-in-the-Middle (AiTM) kits like Evilginx to steal session cookies. ATP scans the link, but since the link leads to a high-fidelity proxy of the real login page, it often passes reputation checks.

CyberDudeBivash Directive: You must move to Phish-Proof MFA. SMS and TOTP codes are interceptable. Hardware-backed FIDO2 (WebAuthn) is the only protocol that validates the origin domain, rendering AiTM attacks impossible.

4. CyberDudeBivash’s 10-Point Cloud Hardening Checklist

• 1. SPF/DKIM/DMARC: Set DMARC to p=reject. No exceptions.
• 2. Conditional Access: Block all logins from non-compliant devices and untrusted geographies.
• 3. Legacy Auth: Disable Basic Authentication immediately. It bypasses MFA.
• 4. Safe Links: Enable for all endpoints, including mobile devices.
• 5. Mailbox Auditing: Enable Audit (Premium) in M365 to track session reuse.
• 6. External Forwarding: Block automated external forwarding to prevent silent data exfiltration.
• 7. Admin Roles: Use Privileged Identity Management (PIM) for Just-in-Time access.
• 8. OAuth App Governance: Review and restrict third-party apps with high-privilege scopes.
• 9. FIDO2 Mandate: Phish-proof all administrative identities.
• 10. Managed Hunting: Integrate logs into a 24/7 SOC/MDR.

Expert FAQ: Cloud ATP Strategy

Q: Is ATP enough to stop Ransomware?

A: ATP is the first line of defense (Initial Access). However, if an attacker gains entry through a hijacked session, you need Endpoint EDR (Kaspersky) and Immutable Backups (Alibaba Cloud OSS) to survive the execution phase.

Q: Which is better, M365 ATP or Google Workspace ATP?

A: M365 Defender has more granular controls for complex hybrid environments. Google Workspace is simpler and has better native sandboxing for files. CyberDudeBivash recommends choosing based on your identity core, not just the security features.

Work with CyberDudeBivash Pvt Ltd

If you want a partner who actually understands modern attacker tradecraft—from Evilginx-style session theft to AI-authored lures—reach out to CyberDudeBivash Pvt Ltd. We treat your cloud security as if our brand reputation depends on its integrity—because it does.

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