Cast Doncaster

How Cast Boosted Their Microsoft Secure Score by 27% with AAG’s Advanced 365 Project

Why Your Microsoft Secure Score Matters More Than You Think

You realise it’s been a few weeks, maybe even months, since you last checked your Microsoft Secure Score.

And if you’re thinking, “Microsoft Secure Score, what’s that?” then strap in.

It’s one of the most overlooked tools in Microsoft 365, and it plays an important role in understanding how secure your organisation is.

Behind the Project: Why Cast Partnered with AAG for Microsoft 365 Security.

AAG recently completed an Advanced 365 Project with Cast (theatre in Doncaster), increasing their Microsoft Secure Score from 48% to 75%.

For context, Secure Score is Microsoft’s way of measuring how well-protected your business is. At AAG, we don’t aim for 100% for the sake of it. In some cases, pushing for a perfect score can impact usability, with systems becoming so restrictive that everyday tasks, like sending external emails, are affected.

To find out more, read our guide that examines the Microsoft Secure Score in more detail.

Instead, it’s about balance: achieving strong, practical security without getting in the way of how people work. That’s exactly the approach we took with Cast.

What’s a Good Secure Score?

Score Range	Meaning
Below 60%	Needs Improvement
60 - 80%	Solid Security
80%+	Excellent, but may impact usability

Source: Microsoft Secure Score Playbook, 2025

What Did the Advanced 365 Project Actually Change?

Technical Version
Device Onboarding: All Cast owned devices were enrolled into Microsoft Intune for centralised management.
Full Mobile Device Management (MDM) for corporate devices.
Advanced Security Configuration: anti-malware, and spam filtering were deployed across the Microsoft 365 environment.
Conditional Access policies to restrict access based on user identity, device health, and location.
Estate Management: Devices were secured and managed via Microsoft Entra, ensuring identity-based access control and compliance.

Plain English Version
We made sure every laptop, desktop, and mobile device used by Cast staff and volunteers is now tracked and protected. This means:

Devices are managed from one central dashboard, and can be managed by IT remotely.
Security settings are applied automatically.
Only the right people can access the right data, from the right devices.

Why This Matters for Cast, and Could Matter for You

When Cast, based in Doncaster, started their Advanced 365 Project with AAG, their Microsoft Secure Score sat at 48%. While not uncommon, it highlighted opportunities to strengthen security. It meant there were gaps in their security setup that could leave them vulnerable to threats, or at the very least, raise eyebrows with partners and suppliers.

Fast forward to today, and their Secure Score has jumped to 75%. That’s a 27% increase. You might be thinking, “that doesn’t sound much?” But this is driven by real, tangible changes: every device is now enrolled in Intune, Microsoft Defender is running across all platforms, and their Microsoft 365 tenant has been hardened with new policies and protections.

This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about strengthening trust and resilience.

That score is now a visible indicator of Cast’s commitment to cyber security. It provides additional reassurance for partners, funders and collaborators. It shows they’re serious about protecting data, securing systems, and staying ahead of threats.

And for a Doncaster charity that works with volunteers, audiences, and partners across the region, that kind of reassurance matters, particularly for an organisation working across arts, communities and education, where handling data responsibly is essential.

If your Secure Score is sitting below 60%, it’s worth asking: what does that say about your business? And what could a few smart changes do to improve it?

Real-World Impact of Microsoft Security Enhancements

“Since completing the Advanced 365 Project, we’ve seen a 27% increase in our Microsoft Secure Score, which has been a really positive step forward for us. It’s helped strengthen confidence across the organisation, from our staff and volunteers through to partners and audiences.
The team at AAG worked closely with us throughout, making sure people felt comfortable with the changes and understood how to use the new security measures in practice. That approach meant the transition was smooth, with no real disruption, and gave everyone confidence that these were beneficial improvements.
AAG have been a supportive partner, working with us to put the right systems and security in place for our organisation. They communicate clearly, avoid unnecessary jargon, and keep us informed at every stage, which has made a real difference.”

Mary Swinden

Head of Marketing & Development, Cast

How to Improve Your Security Posture Today

Your cyber security profile changes all the time, and if (or when) it goes below 60% it’s time to act. If you’re not sure where yours currently stands, you can check it quickly via the Microsoft Defender portal within Microsoft 365. We’ve put together a simple step-by-step guide on how to check your Secure Score here.

In addition to this, AAG now manage and maintain the secure score, meaning that as the “threat landscape” changes, which it often does, AAG will apply updates to keep Cast protected.