Definition
Investigating Microsoft 365 activities refers to the process of reviewing and analyzing logs and audit trails generated by Microsoft 365 services to detect, understand, and respond to security incidents or policy violations. This involves utilizing tools like Microsoft Purview and Azure Sentinel to trace user actions, access patterns, and data modifications within the M365 environment. It is crucial for maintaining security posture, ensuring compliance, and performing forensic analysis after a security event. For instance, an administrator might investigate M365 activity logs to determine how unauthorized access to sensitive documents occurred. This differs from simple reporting by focusing on the investigative aspect of tracing events rather than just summarizing them. This concept is frequently tested in cybersecurity certifications such as CompTIA Security+ and CySA+.