Why Microsoft 365 Certified Apps and Agents Matter for IT Admins
As an IT Admin, you're constantly balancing innovation, security, and user productivity. With the growing ecosystem of apps/agents integrating into Microsoft 365, how do you ensure the ones your organization adopts are secure, compliant, and reliable?
That’s where Microsoft 365 Certification comes in.
What Is Microsoft 365 Certification?
Microsoft 365 Certification is a rigorous program that evaluates third-party apps across key dimensions like security, compliance, data handling, and privacy. Certified apps/agents meet Microsoft’s highest standards and are verified through independent assessments and documentation reviews.
Top Benefits for IT Admins
🔐 Enhanced Security & Compliance
Certified apps/agents undergo thorough security testing, including vulnerability assessments and penetration testing. Many of the controls these apps / agents adhere to are based on established frameworks such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR. This ensures that certified apps align with recognized industry standards, providing confidence when deploying them in enterprise settings.
🛠️ Streamlined Governance
With certification, IT Admins can confidently shortlist apps or agents in their tenant, knowing they meet Microsoft’s governance criteria. This reduces the overhead of manual vetting and accelerates app adoption.
📍 Discoverability in Microsoft 365 Ecosystem
Certified agents are tagged with a “Microsoft 365 Certified” badge in AppSource, Teams Store and the Microsoft 365 admin center, making them easier to find and trust.
📊 Transparency & Documentation
The Microsoft Admin Center and Teams Admin Center include a Security & Compliance section under Integrated Apps where admins can view certification details for apps. This feature is designed to improve transparency and speed up app evaluation. Here’s what is available:
- Certification Class
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- Publisher Verified – Confirms developer authenticity.
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- Publisher Attested – Indicates the app’s security and compliance posture based on self-assessment.
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- Microsoft 365 Certified – Shows that the app has passed Microsoft’s rigorous audit against security and compliance controls.
These details help IT teams understand the app’s risk posture before deployment.
- Evidence Sharing
Developers can opt to share certification evidence (e.g., policy docs, system configs, penetration test reports) directly in MAC. This evidence is uploaded during the certification process in Partner Center and, if consented, becomes visible to admins in Microsoft Admin Center and Teams Admin Center.
How to Find Certified Apps
Visit the Business Apps – Microsoft AppSource to explore certified apps by category, publisher, or certification level. You can also filter apps directly in AppSource or within the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Join the Conversation
Have you deployed a Microsoft 365 Certified agent in your organization? Share your experience in the comments below or start a thread in the Microsoft Tech Community to help others make informed decisions.
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