Introduction to the Zero Trust Opportunity
In July 2026, Microsoft announces a pricing update for its Microsoft 365 plans. While this may seem like a financial challenge, it is possible to transform this cost increase into an opportunity to strengthen security with a Zero Trust approach. This article aims to guide IT leaders to maximize their return on investment (ROI) by adopting new capabilities already included but underutilized in their current subscription.
[IMAGE:1:url:An image illustrating Zero Trust in action]
What's changing in pricing
Starting July 1, 2026, Microsoft 365 plans will see their pricing updated. This step offers organizations a chance to justify activating features they've already paid for, rather than simply accepting increased fees.
Three Security Quick Wins to Enable
To take advantage of this situation immediately, here are three actions to take:
1. Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM)
EPM is essential for reducing the number of local administrators, thereby minimizing security risks.
- Effort: Medium
- Impact: High
- Prerequisites: Intune administration expertise
2. Microsoft LAPS for Azure AD / Entra
By integrating Microsoft LAPS, you can automate administrator password rotation.
- Effort: Low
- Impact: Medium
- Prerequisites: Azure AD configuration
3. Intune Remote Help
Replace support VPN with Intune Remote Help for more efficient remote assistance.
- Effort: Low to Medium
- Impact: Medium
- Prerequisites: Appropriate Intune license
| Quick Win | Effort | Impact | License Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM) | Medium | High | Included in Intune |
| Microsoft LAPS | Low | Medium | Included in Microsoft Entra |
| Intune Remote Help | Low to Medium | Medium | Included in Intune |
How to Build Security ROI
For each quick win, follow these key performance indicators (KPIs):
EPM:
- Reduction in incidents related to excessive privileges
- Processing time for access requests
- IT support cost
Microsoft LAPS:
- Frequency of password rotation
- Decrease in unauthorized access
- Simplification of security audits
Intune Remote Help:
- Average ticket resolution time
- Reduction in VPN infrastructure needs
- User satisfaction with remote assistance
License Audit
It is crucial to perform a license audit to identify features paid for but not deployed effectively. This allows you to realign subscriptions with actual needs.
Prioritization Checklist
Here is a list of critical actions to take:
- Verify license alignment with current usage
- Train administrators on new features
- Enable features by first evaluating their impact
- Continuously monitor KPI evolution
- Establish robust governance for each activated service
- Reassess Zero Trust adoption expansion planning
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Enabling without governance: Guaranteed to fail.
- Neglecting continuous training of IT teams.
- Ignoring the impact of transition on end users.
- Forgetting to periodically evaluate usage and needs.
Warning
Do not blindly enable features without establishing appropriate governance. This could lead to unanticipated security issues.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Do not let the Microsoft 365 price increase be seen only as an additional cost. Transform this challenge into an opportunity to strengthen your security and optimize your investments through Zero Trust. Take action now!
Useful Links
Glossary of Key Technical Terms
- Zero Trust: Security model that trusts no element, internal or external, by default.
- Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM): Management of access privileges on endpoints.
- Microsoft LAPS: Local password management solution.
- Intune: Mobile device and application management platform.
