Build secure foundations for Microsoft Copilot.
Our Readiness Assessment reviews your permissions, data governance and security before rollout.
Microsoft Copilot is creating new possibilities for organisations that want to improve productivity, support employees and gain more value from their existing information. However, as adoption grows, so do the questions surrounding security.
Is Microsoft Copilot secure for business? What information can it access? And what should organisations put in place before rolling it out? We spoke to Dave Cockerham, Principal Consultant at Crimson, to find out.
What information can Microsoft 365 Copilot access?
For Microsoft 365 Copilot, the simple answer is that it works within the permissions already assigned to the individual user. It is grounded in Microsoft Graph and uses the organisation’s existing security controls, policies and logging.
What should businesses review before introducing Copilot?
Before rolling out Copilot, organisations should understand what information it can access and whether the right security and governance controls are in place.
01
Access & permissions
- Confirm employees only reach what their role needs
- Find content shared more widely than intended
- Verify identity before personalised agents respond
02
Information governance
- Locate sensitive and personal information
- Apply sensitivity labels to key content
- Review how content is stored and removed
03
AI oversight
- Decide which data each agent can reach
- Keep a person in the loop on decisions
- Pilot use cases before scaling up
Five signs your organisation isn’t ready for Copilot yet
If any of these sound familiar, Copilot is likely to surface the problem rather than create it.
- Employees can open content beyond what their role requires.
- Files and sites are shared with Everyone or through open links.
- Several conflicting versions of key documents exist.
- Sensitive information is not classified or labelled.
- No one owns AI governance or approves new agents.
So, is Copilot secure for business?
Copilot provides enterprise security and data protection capabilities, but in practice its security depends on the foundations beneath it. The technology matters, but readiness matters just as much.
No obligation | Tailored to your Microsoft 365 environment
Copilot readiness
Is your organisation ready for Copilot?
Our Microsoft Copilot Readiness Assessment reviews your licensing, permissions, data governance and security, then gives you a practical plan for a controlled rollout.
