Why Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Scanning Must Include SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, and Viva Engage

By Monique Millan, Modern Workspace & SharePoint Developer | Parasol Alliance

When you hear "penetration testing," you might think of network firewalls or server infrastructure. In today’s cloud-first world, your real vulnerabilities often live in the tools you use every day including SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, and Viva Engage. These platforms power collaboration and care coordination across senior living communities, but they also serve as high-value targets for cyber attackers.

Let’s talk about why these tools should not be overlooked and how modern testing methodologies can help protect sensitive data, resident trust, and regulatory compliance.

The Why: Real-World Risks Facing Senior Living Communities

1. Cloud Platforms Are Primary Attack Vectors

According to the 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 74% of breaches involve the human element (phishing, stolen credentials, or misuse of authorized tools.) SharePoint and Teams are particularly vulnerable to:

• Oversharing permissions (e.g. anyone with a link can access)

• Unmonitored external sharing with vendors or family members

• PHI stored in documents without proper DLP controls

"Microsoft 365 environments are frequent targets of credential-based attacks. Organizations must include cloud collaboration platforms in their security testing." — Gartner Cloud Security Report

2. Senior Living Is High-Stakes for Privacy and Reputation

Senior communities often manage:

• Electronic medical records (EMRs)

• Incident reports and medication logs

• Staff scheduling and HR documentation

If this data is compromised, the impact is more than financial. It erodes trust, disrupts care, and triggers costly compliance violations (HIPAA, HITECH, and state regulations).

3. AI Tools Like Copilot Add New Attack Surfaces

With Microsoft Copilot integrated into SharePoint, Teams, and Viva Engage, there’s a new vector for data exposure. A misconfigured Copilot prompt or access permission can unintentionally surface sensitive information to unauthorized staff or partners.

The What: Penetration Testing & Vulnerability Scanning for Microsoft 365

Penetration Testing simulates real-world attacks to test your defenses, while vulnerability scanning continuously looks for known security weaknesses.

We have identified the common risks of these platforms:

• SharePoint: Over-permissive links, public libraries, metadata leaks

• OneDrive: Personal vs organizational sync issues, external access

• Teams: Unrestricted guest access, exposed meeting recordings

• Viva Engage: Legacy credentials, phishing via social interaction channels

Study by Rapid7: Organizations that included Microsoft 365 in their pen testing found 2.7x more vulnerabilities compared to traditional network-only assessments.

The How: Practical Steps to Integrate Testing in Senior Living

1. Conduct Cloud-Specific Penetration Testing

Partner with security experts who understand Microsoft 365's architecture. Ensure they test:

• OAuth token leaks

• Microsoft Graph API exposure

• DLP rule bypass attempts

2. Scan for Misconfigurations Regularly

Use tools like Microsoft Secure Score, Defender for Cloud, and Purview DLP analytics to:

• Flag risky sharing behavior

• Monitor guest access and link expiration

• Audit sensitive content locations

3. Test User Awareness with Social Engineering Simulations

Phishing tests tailored to Teams chat or fake OneDrive links are particularly effective in senior living contexts. These exercises help your staff:

• Identify malicious file links

• Report on unusual login prompts

• Use MFA more effectively

The ROI: Security, Compliance, and Peace of Mind

Penetration testing and vulnerability scanning that includes SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, and Viva Engage helps you:

• Protect PHI and comply with HIPAA, HITECH, and state laws

• Improve staff confidence in using collaboration tools safely

• Reduce the attack surface created by new AI-powered workflows

• Strengthen audit-readiness with documented security posture

“With the shift to hybrid work and AI-enabled collaboration, organizations that don’t include Microsoft 365 in their security testing are flying blind.” — Ponemon Institute, 2024 Cyber Resilience Report

Final Thought

In today’s interconnected, AI-enhanced senior living environments, it's not enough to secure your servers. You need to test the places where care happens and collaboration flows: SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, and Viva Engage. These aren’t just tools; they’re the digital foundation of your community.

References

Verizon DBIR 2024 | Gartner Cloud Security 2023 | Rapid7 Microsoft 365 Pen Testing White Paper