Excel is one of the most widely used tools in business today — from financial reports and employee records to client data and operational planning. But with great usefulness comes great risk.
If sensitive data isn’t protected properly, one accidental share or unauthorized access can lead to serious security issues.
The good news? With the right habits and built-in Microsoft 365 features, you can keep your spreadsheets secure and protect your business from data exposure.
🛡️ Smart Security Practices Every Business Should Use
1️⃣ Password-Protect Sensitive Files
Stop unauthorized viewing or editing.
How: File → Info → Protect Workbook → Encrypt with Password
Only share the password through secure communication — not email.
2️⃣ Limit Who Can Edit or View the Document
Use Restricted Editing to control who can make changes.
How: Review → Protect → Restrict Editing
This is especially useful for financial or HR documents.
3️⃣ Use OneDrive or SharePoint for Sharing Instead of Email
Email attachments can be downloaded, forwarded, or lost.
Sharing via the cloud allows you to:
✔ Remove access anytime
✔ Track who opened the file
✔ Prevent downloading if needed
4️⃣ Turn Off External Links and Macros You Don’t Trust
Macros and external data links can hide malware.
If you didn’t create it — don’t enable it.
Excel will show a yellow warning bar — take it seriously.
5️⃣ Audit and Track Changes on Important Files
Keep a clear history of who changed what.
How: Review → Track Changes or use Version History in OneDrive.
This boosts accountability and reduces mistakes.
🚨 Why This Matters
Data breaches are expensive — not just in money, but in trust.
Accidental exposure of salaries, customer lists, or budgets can damage relationships and reputations.
Small security steps make big protection differences.
At Tech911, we help businesses: Set up secure Microsoft 365 environments, Train staff on data protection best practices, Create secure workflows for file management
📩 Want your business to do more with Excel?
Reach out to Tech911 — let’s turn your spreadsheets into systems that work.