How Oil & Gas Enterprises Are Securing Operations from Core to Cloud with Microsoft Technologies

As oil and gas companies accelerate their digital transformation, they're also facing an increasingly complex threat landscape. From cyberattacks on remote operations to compliance breaches involving sensitive data, the risks are higher than ever.

To meet these challenges, energy leaders are turning to an integrated set of solutions built on the Microsoft security ecosystem— delivered by trusted implementation partners like ITC Worldwide.

In this post, we break down how Microsoft Defender, Entra, Purview, Intune, and the Microsoft 365 Compliance Center are helping oil and gas organizations modernize security, protect assets, and meet evolving regulatory demands.

1. Microsoft Defender for Cloud

Comprehensive Multicloud Security for Critical Infrastructure

Operational technology (OT) and IT systems in the oil and gas sector span remote rigs, data centers, and cloud-hosted applications. Microsoft Defender for Cloud provides:

• Threat detection across multicloud and hybrid environments
• DevSecOps integration to embed security at the code level
• Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) for proactive risk reduction
• Workload protection for servers, containers, storage, and databases

Business Impact: A global energy services company saw a 30% drop in cloud workload vulnerabilities within the first six months of Defender deployment.

2. Microsoft Entra (Formerly Azure Active Directory)

Identity and Access Control That Scales with Your Field Operations

From engineers working in the field to contractors logging in remotely, Microsoft Entra enables secure, scalable identity management:

• Centralized user access for all applications
• Consolidation of legacy IAM systems
• Reduction of password reset calls by 75%
• Stronger protection against identity-based attacks

Why it matters: In a sector where workforce mobility is essential, Entra ensures that only the right people get access to the right resources—no matter where they are.

3. Microsoft Purview

Enterprise-Grade Data Governance for Regulatory Confidence

The oil and gas industry are heavily regulated, with data spanning operational logs, geospatial files, contracts, and HSE documentation. Microsoft Purview enables:

• End-to-end visibility into structured and unstructured data
• Advanced risk management through insider threat detection
• Automated compliance workflows (e.g., GDPR, FERC, NERC)
• Integrated eDiscovery and audit trails

Example: An upstream energy firm reduced compliance reporting time by 60% after implementing Purview.

4. Microsoft Intune + Endpoint Manager

Manage and Secure Devices Anywhere—From HQ to Offshore Rigs

With mobile workers, remote technicians, and BYOD policies in play, endpoint management is a priority. Microsoft Intune delivers:

• Unified management of Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS
• Mobile application management for both personal and corporate devices
• Enforced security policies and patching
• Enhanced visibility into device health and compliance

Operational Advantage: An offshore drilling operation used Intune to reduce endpoint security incidents by 40% across 5 field regions.

5. Microsoft 365 Compliance & Security Center 

Centralized Governance Across the Entire Microsoft Stack

Keeping data secure and audit-ready across email, file storage, and collaboration tools is essential. Microsoft 365 Compliance & Security Center offers:

• Centralized control of data loss prevention, eDiscovery, and sensitivity labeling
• Integration with Azure Information Protection and Microsoft Cloud App Security
• Support for global compliance frameworks like ISO 27001, GDPR, and NIST
• Simplified administration and cross-environment reporting

Result: A large oil and gas distributor improved time-to-resolution on audit requests by 70% while cutting admin overhead.

🛡 Why Oil & Gas Leaders Choose ITC Worldwide

ITC Worldwide is a Microsoft Solutions Partner with deep experience deploying security and compliance solutions in high-risk, high-regulation sectors like energy. We provide:

• Proven deployment frameworks for hybrid and multicloud environments
• Expertise in field-to-cloud integration and governance
• Post-implementation support and optimization tailored to the oil and gas lifecycle

“We help oil and gas enterprises operationalize Microsoft’s most advanced security stack—protecting assets, people, and compliance across every operation.” ITC Worldwide