Note that at this stage we are still unable to release the message, even if we know the sender and are confident that this is NOT a phishing attempt. I can either review these messages using the Quarantine page in the Security & Compliance Center, OR I have the option to Block Sender or Review. I open my inbox and notice that I have a Spam Notification email (also known as a digest email) which is generated by the Office 365 service and informs me that two items originally destined for my mailbox are now blocked or on hold: Figure 1: Quarantine email with Block Sender and Review options. I’ll start by logging into Outlook on the Web or OWA at. The user experience for email Quarantine isn’t any better, so bear with me as I re-hash the process. While the consolidation of portals is welcome, it does create an extra layer of confusion when admins are trying to solve a problem and can’t find the correct portal to configure a particular policy. As Microsoft works to consolidate the many Office 365 portals, Exchange Online Protection will move from the Office 365 Security & Compliance portal at over to, which is currently branded as the Microsoft 365 security center. However, the Quarantine settings we need are buried within another portal. The management interface for Exchange Online Protection may be found within the confines of the Exchange admin center in Exchange Online. EOP performs many of its usual tasks with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and as a result, admins have fewer buttons to push and dials to turn compared to other email protection products. The quarantine process is hosted by Exchange Online Protection (EOP), a subset of the greater Exchange Online product. Management Interface for Admins – Where the Confusion Begins Unfortunately, the Office 365 quarantine experience leaves a lot to be desired and deserves some attention from Microsoft. This protection mechanism, along with the associated user experience, is critical in my opinion because it affects whether one receives legitimate emails or not. These emails are automatically corralled and held for review by the recipient or an administrator and then blocked or released. Quarantine, as most of us are aware, occurs when an email or its content is flagged to be potentially harmful to the intended recipient, whether it’s a phishing attempt or a spam email. As far as Office 365 is concerned, Exchange Online is a world-class product and the quarantine mechanism works well, however the current iteration of the Quarantine portal falls short in user experience and performance. The email quarantine process is as old as email itself, and still an essential part of any email service. Make Your Life a Little Bit Easier with PowerShellĬurrent GUI Causes User and Admin Frustration.Administrator Grid View – Peak Frustration.User Interface – The Confusion Compounds.Management Interface for Admins – Where the Confusion Begins.Current GUI Causes User and Admin Frustration.