October 11, 2023 at 10:35AM
Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant integrated into Microsoft 365 apps that aims to improve productivity by searching and compiling data across documents, presentations, emails, and more. However, this access to sensitive data raises security concerns for information security teams. Varonis offers a Data Security Platform that can help address these risks by providing real-time risk assessment and the ability to enforce least privilege.
Key Takeaways:
– Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant that lives within Microsoft 365 apps, designed to streamline daily work and allow users to focus on problem-solving.
– Copilot has access to all data within Microsoft 365, including documents, presentations, emails, calendars, and contacts, which can pose a challenge for information security teams.
– Copilot can generate new sensitive data that needs to be protected, exacerbating existing data protection challenges.
– The use cases for generative AI with Microsoft 365 are extensive, offering significant productivity boosts.
– Microsoft emphasizes the importance of using permission models and sensitivity labels within Microsoft 365 to ensure appropriate access and data protection.
– Organizations often struggle with complex Microsoft 365 permissions, leading to an imbalance in access privileges.
– Sensitivity labeling can be difficult to implement effectively, as it relies on human input that can be delayed or outdated.
– Artificial intelligence can make users complacent and blindly trust AI-generated content, which can lead to privacy or data breach incidents.
– To prepare for Copilot’s rollout, organizations should assess their data security posture and consider implementing solutions like Varonis’ Data Security Platform to mitigate risks and enforce least privilege.