When your firm relies on Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, your entire workflow – and your clients’ sensitive data – lives in the cloud. While these platforms offer powerful tools for collaboration and efficiency, they also come with their own set of security risks. Unfortunately, many professional service firms assume the built-in protections are enough. That’s a costly misconception.

Without the right safeguards in place, it only takes one wrong click or misconfigured setting to open the door to phishing attacks, data leaks, or worse. This is where managed security services step in – not just as a safety net, but as a proactive strategy for peace of mind.

The hidden risks in your cloud environment

M365 and GWS are used daily by firms across law, accounting, and consulting. But with convenience comes complexity. Many security risks are easy to overlook:

• Phishing attacks: Employees are constantly targeted with sophisticated phishing emails. A single mistaken click can compromise credentials and give attackers access to sensitive systems.
• Data leakage: Documents shared externally – intentionally or not – can leave client data exposed. Without proper controls, it’s hard to know who has access to what.
• Misconfigurations: Admin settings in both platforms are powerful, but also easy to get wrong. Overly permissive access, unmonitored accounts, or unreviewed sharing permissions can create serious vulnerabilities.

The result? Firms that thought their cloud tools were “secure enough” suddenly find themselves dealing with data breaches, reputational damage, or compliance failures.

Why built-in security isn’t enough

Microsoft and Google provide solid foundations, but those tools still need to be configured, monitored, and managed. And most firms don’t have the in-house expertise – or the time – to do that effectively.

Here’s what’s often missing:

• Regular security reviews and audits
• Tailored configuration to fit your firm’s risk profile
• 24/7 monitoring for suspicious activity
• Human-centric safeguards like phishing simulations or staff training

In short, these platforms are only as secure as the people and policies behind them.

The case for managed security services

Partnering with a managed IT provider like Support Stack transforms your cloud environment from “good enough” to truly secure. You get expert oversight, consistent monitoring, and proactive measures that dramatically reduce your risk exposure.

Here’s how a managed approach protects your business:

• Phishing protection: We deploy intelligent filtering, simulate attacks to raise awareness, and train your team to spot threats.
• Access and sharing controls: We configure your settings to prevent accidental leaks, ensuring only the right people can access sensitive files.
• Compliance support: Whether it’s GDPR or industry-specific requirements, we help you stay audit-ready and protected.
• Real-time monitoring: Our team watches for unusual activity around the clock, responding quickly to stop threats before they spread.
• Security automation: We set up alerts, triggers, and auto-remediation where possible, reducing your reliance on manual oversight.

All of this is delivered as part of a fixed-cost, fully managed service – meaning no surprises, no hidden fees, and no internal resource drain.

Reclaim your focus – and your peace of mind

The reality is, most breaches are preventable. What firms need is not more technology, but a partner that understands how to use it securely. At Support Stack, we make cloud security effortless for professional service firms. You get enterprise-grade protection without the complexity, so you can focus on growing your business instead of firefighting IT problems.

When your cloud data is properly protected:

• Your team works more confidently and efficiently
• Your clients trust you with their most sensitive information
• You sleep easier knowing your firm is secure and compliant

Ready to secure your M365 or GWS environment?

Don’t wait for a breach to reveal the gaps in your cloud security. Let’s identify the risks now – and fix them before they become costly problems.

Get in touch with Support Stack today to book your complimentary cloud security audit.