Securing Microsoft 365 Copilot: Key Insights from Workplace Ninjas Denmark

On August 9, 2024, I had the privilege of speaking about Securing Microsoft 365 Copilot at the Workplace Ninjas User Group Denmark, a community-driven event for Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Azure professionals. My session, “Deciphering Copilot: Unraveling Data Security and Governance in Microsoft 365,” explored how organizations can balance AI-driven productivity with robust security and compliance measures.

As Microsoft 365 Copilot continues to revolutionize workplaces, it’s essential for organizations to address critical security concerns. Without robust governance, businesses risk exposing sensitive information, compromising compliance, and facing potential deployment setbacks.

In this blog, I’ll share key insights from my session and outline actionable strategies to help your organization securely deploy Copilot.

The Rapid Rise of AI in the Workplace

AI adoption is growing at an unprecedented rate. According to the 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report by Microsoft and LinkedIn, 75% of employees are already using AI at work—often outpacing their organizations’ preparations. While AI drives efficiency, it also introduces new security and governance challenges.

Security and IT leaders must ask:

Three Governance Priorities for Microsoft 365 Copilot

To ensure a secure Copilot rollout, organizations should focus on these three core areas:

1️⃣ Workspace Governance Secure Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive by restricting access, managing memberships, and archiving inactive sites.

2️⃣ Data Security Classify, label, and protect sensitive information using tools like Microsoft Purview to enforce compliance and security standards.

3️⃣ User Adoption Educate employees about secure AI practices to minimize unintentional data leaks and encourage responsible usage.

10 Steps to Strengthen Data Security and Governance

During my session, I introduced 10 essential measures to safeguard organizational data before deploying Copilot. These steps include:

1️⃣ Convert public workspaces to private – Use container sensitivity labels to restrict access.
2️⃣ Enforce “People with existing access” links – Ensure secure sharing with sensitivity labels.
3️⃣ Regularly review workspace membership – Use Dynamic Groups and Entra ID Access Reviews.
4️⃣ Control access in Teams – Utilize private and shared channels for better segmentation.
5️⃣ Apply retention policies – Keep necessary data and delete outdated content.
6️⃣ Block site access for non-members – Use SharePoint Advanced Management to restrict external access.
7️⃣ Archive inactive sites – Reduce risk and optimize storage costs.
8️⃣ Label sensitive files – Ensure Copilot inherits appropriate security labels.
9️⃣ Implement sensitivity labels with encryption – Restrict permissions on classified data.
🔟 Expire sharing links – Set time limits to prevent long-term unauthorized access.

By implementing these practices, organizations can reduce security risks and ensure Copilot operates within compliance boundaries.

Conclusion: Deploying Microsoft 365 Copilot Securely

To successfully deploy Microsoft 365 Copilot, organizations must balance productivity with security. Focusing on workspace governance, robust data protection, and user education will empower businesses to harness Copilot’s AI capabilities safely and effectively.

Are you ready to secure your Microsoft 365 Copilot? Start implementing these steps today to unlock the full potential of AI without compromising on security or compliance.

Access My Presentation Slides

For those who missed my session, you can access my slides here:

📌 Microsoft Resources on Microsoft 365 Copilot:

• Microsoft 365 Copilot blueprint for oversharing | Microsoft Learn
• How do I apply Zero Trust principles to Microsoft 365 Copilot? | Microsoft Learn