Following the previous blog post on identifying the appropriate AI for your requirements, it is only fair to provide a feature comparison. Therefore, I have included an analysis of some of the most popular AI chatbots to determine which one would best fit into your organisation.
AI Feature Comparison Table
Feature
Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat
Microsoft 365 Copilot
ChatGPT (GPT-4)
Google Gemini
Claude (Anthropic)
DeepSeek
Chat
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Web-grounded Chat (AI-powered)
✓ Powered by GPT-4o
✓ Powered by GPT-4o
✓ GPT-4-turbo
✓ Gemini 1.5
✓ Claude 2.1
✓ DeepSeek-V2
Work-grounded Chat (Organizational Data)
❌
✓
❌
❌
❌
❌
File Upload
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Code Interpreter
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Image Generation
✓
✓
✓
✓
❌
❌
Agents
✓
✓
✓
✓
❌
❌
Agents grounded in Web Data
✓
✓
✓
✓
❌
❌
Agents grounded in Work Data
Metered
✓
❌
❌
❌
❌
Autonomous AI Agents
✓
✓
✓
✓
❌
❌
Personal Assistant
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
AI in Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
❌
✓
❌
❌
❌
❌
AI-based Actions & Reasoning
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Pre-built AI Models
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Copilot Control System / AI Management
✓
✓
❌
❌
❌
❌
Enterprise Data Protection (EDP)
✓
✓
❌
❌
❌
❌
IT & Agent Management
✓
✓
❌
❌
❌
❌
Analytics & Reporting
Limited
✓
Basic
Basic
Basic
Basic
SharePoint Advance management
❌
✓
❌
❌
❌
❌
Summary:
Microsoft 365 Copilot is designed with an enterprise focus, whereas ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and DeepSeek are general-purpose AI chatbots.
ChatGPT and Gemini provide capabilities for code interpretation and file uploads, unlike Claude and DeepSeek, which have limited file support.
ChatGPT and Gemini also offer image generation, a feature not available in Claude and DeepSeek.
Microsoft 365 Copilot excels in enterprise integration, including applications such as Teams, Outlook, and Word, a characteristic absent in standalone AI models.
DeepSeek stands out as an open-source model primarily aimed at scientific and research tasks.
Now we have looked at what AI is the right one for your organisation depending on your business requirements we can start looking at how do we apply the enterprise data protection controls we need to safeguard the data we are going to be using. All this starts off with Microsoft Purview.
To start, we need to explore the critical reasons why AI is essential within an organisation. Foremost, AI tools can significantly enhance efficiency by automating repetitive tasks, freeing up valuable time for employees to focus on higher-level strategic activities. This automation not only boosts productivity but also reduces the likelihood of human errors, leading to more accurate and reliable outcomes.
AI can provide deeper insights through data analysis. By sifting through vast amounts of data at speeds unattainable by human workers, AI can identify patterns, trends, and anomalies that can inform decision-making processes. This capability is particularly valuable in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and marketing, where data-driven insights are paramount.
It’s also important to recognize the impact of AI on employee well-being. By taking over mundane and time-consuming tasks, AI allows employees to engage in more meaningful and creative work, which can enhance job satisfaction and reduce burnout. However, it’s crucial to ensure that staff have the necessary training and support to adapt to new technologies, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
Measuring Success with AI
Once we have addressed why AI is required, it is important to look at how success will be measured within your own organisation. Some of the KPIs used could be:
Increased Revenue: You will be able to see this by the sales team being able to close more deals by responding to more RFPs and building more within the pipeline. Retaining customers through faster and improved customer service being delivered. Being able to release more products to the market along with streamlining your existing products by using AI to speed time to market.
Cost Savings: Reducing the amount of work that needs to be done by a contractor or outsourced. Reducing the amount of time an employee needs to spend on a task.
Cost Avoidance: Avoiding additional hiring costs as employees are able to focus more on the work and less on admin-heavy tasks.
Well-being: Reduce turnover and associated hiring costs as employees have the right tools they need to be able to complete the work they need to complete. Speed of onboarding new staff by allowing staff to use AI to find the right resources for themselves. Promoting upskilling within the organisation.
Breaking Down Time Savings
So how is this all broken down to show that time is being saved? Well, typically on tasks we have not always captured how long it takes an individual to complete so let’s take a look at some of the tasks that the World Trade Index has completed.
Summarizing a Meeting: Without the use of AI, this task would have taken around 43 minutes to complete. Now, with using AI within the meeting and employees having the right tools, this can be done within 11 minutes by using Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Searching for Information: This could be looking over a complicated and aging file server with lots of stale data or just trying to find the right information for them within the internet. Without the use of AI, this task would have taken around 24 minutes; with AI, this takes 18 minutes.
Writing a First Draft of a Document: Without AI, this would have taken 14 minutes; now with AI, this can be done in as little as 8 minutes.
Implementing AI in Leadership
We need to start off with the leadership. It is critical that the leadership within the organisation develop capabilities to leverage AI for business outcomes. This includes foundational learning to understand what AI is and how it can help, building the business strategy so the organisation has a clear vision on how AI is going to be used, and setting up the AI center of excellence to allow for key people from each team to drive the changes together.
Human Change Management
Next, we need to move on to the human change, managing the human transformation through a robust user onboarding and enablement program. If the employees are not supported as part of the enablement, then it is going to be very hard to get them to start using it and see the business outcomes we have identified. Some of the ways this can be done is by investing in an employee experience platform such as Microsoft Viva, improving the culture, and authentically integrating feedback.
Technical Skills Development
Of course, we also have the technical skills that we need to look at from giving our employees access to the AI center of excellence and providing training so they understand how to use the AI tools.
This is then broken down into different milestones starting with the get ready phase, moving on to the onboarding and engaging, delivering the impact we have outlined, and then extending and optimizing the deployment.
So, with 2025 just beginning, I believe it would be wise to examine what I anticipate will transpire in the coming year. I can discern that the primary priorities will be generative AI, data security, and the widespread adoption of modern work technologies across businesses. Let’s commence by categorizing these areas and exploring how they intertwine:
AI:
Microsoft’s significant push for Copilot, which is now available to everyone regardless of their organisational role, spans various domains such as Copilot for service, Copilot for finance, and the ability to create custom Copilots using Copilot Studio. Currently, I observe some organisations experimenting with AI to assess its impact on their operations. I anticipate this trend to intensify in 2025, with organisations deploying Copilot for everyone, regardless of their role within the company. Naturally, this necessitates a demand from technical teams to comprehend the implications of AI and expedite its deployment within the organization. This seamlessly transitions into data security.
Data security:
With the advent of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI), it’s crucial to ensure that the appropriate data access controls are in place and maintained correctly. While setting up data security can be challenging within any organisation due to the existence of stale data that hasn’t been addressed, Gen AI’s default search capabilities make it imperative to address this issue. By eliminating stale data, preventing oversharing, and implementing appropriate data controls such as data loss protection, sensitive labels, and DSPM for AI, we can effectively manage data security in the context of Gen AI.
Modern Work:
To me, it’s important to clarify what I perceive as the essence of modern work. In my opinion, the term “modern work” is often overused. In my view, it encompasses the idea of utilizing your local device and running your applications locally, or opting for a Software as a Service (SaaS) application. This eliminates the need for a device to be connected to a domain or even the requirement to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access any resources.
Now, let’s delve into how this is achieved. You’ll have to wait and see. I’m planning to revive my blog with weekly posts that explore how I believe this is currently possible. I’ll keep you all updated on the progress towards 2025.
Data discovery and management is a difficult task. All orginisations have data that is sensitive, and they need to protect this data from any harm. But this is not easy. Finding the data is a challenge- knowing what it is, where it is, and how it is shared is such a big problem that 80% of it is dark. It is no surprise then that 88% of organizations lack confidence that they can detect and prevent loss of their sensitive data. This problem is worsened by the current situation of remote work and data sharing through devices and locations that are not managed by the corporate. But there is a solution for this.
I have implemented Purview for various customers over the years and I recommend starting by understanding your existing data. Where it is stored, who has access to it, what it actually contains.
I have seen people in the past trying to have Microsoft Purview driven by the IT team, but this should really be driven by the business to define what the policies should be. However, we still need to help the business decision makers make the right choices, so we need to set up the policies in simulation mode, so we can show the business what data exists and how extensive any impact will be.
To create the first policy go to purview.microsoft.com
Select Data loss prevention
Select create policy
Microsoft provides a number of built-in policies that I suggest using to start with, we can always modify them later.
Start by excluding devices and Microsoft Cloud apps from the locations. This will help us set the policy for external data sharing. Then you can adjust the policies to suit your organisation, and choose to test them first. You can also show policy tips to users when they trigger a DLP policy, but I recommend testing first.
An example on how to get this configured is below, next post we will go over how to fine tune the policies.
Login to Purview.microsoft.com
Select Data Loss Prevention
Select Policies
Select create policy
Select build a policy from a template, for this example we are going to use U.K. Financial Data
Provide the policy a name
Set the admin units, for this example we are going to do full directory
Set the locations, for this example we are just going to use Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive & Teams
Review the policy settings
For the detection we are going to set it to detect with people outside my organisation
Select the policy actions such as send alerts each time, send reports
Identify any access and override settings, as this is going to be in simulation we won’t select anything for now
With the increasing use of AI to assist in daily tasks, it’s crucial to monitor the data being shared with AI systems. While Microsoft Copilot ensures data remains within Microsoft’s boundaries, users still rely on services like ChatGPT and others. This highlights the need for robust monitoring controls, which can be achieved with Microsoft Purview.
Microsoft Purview helps mitigate and manage the risks associated with AI usage by implementing effective protection and governance controls. Currently in preview, Microsoft Purview AI Hub offers user-friendly graphical tools and reports to provide quick insights into AI usage within your organization. One-click policies make it easy to protect your data and comply with regulatory requirements.
The AI Hub offers several capabilities to help you adopt AI safely without compromising productivity or protection:
Insights and analytics into AI activity within your organization
Ready-to-use policies to protect data and prevent data loss in AI prompts
Compliance controls to enforce optimal data handling and storage policies
Setting up Microsoft Purview is straightforward, and Microsoft has provided comprehensive information on their website. I’ll be covering the setup process for Microsoft Purview over the next few weeks, so be sure to follow along.
The art of prompting is a crucial skill when interacting with AI, especially in the realm of Microsoft 365 Copilot. It’s akin to having a conversation with a knowledgeable assistant; the quality of your questions often determines the quality of the answers you receive. Here’s why mastering the art of prompting is essential:
1. Precision in Requests: AI operates on the principle of specificity. The more precise your prompt, the more accurate and relevant the AI’s response will be. This is particularly important when you’re seeking information or assistance in a professional setting, where time is of the essence and clarity is key.
2. Efficiency and Productivity: Effective prompts lead to efficient results. By mastering the art of prompting, you can streamline your workflow, reduce the time spent on tasks, and increase overall productivity. Microsoft 365 Copilot is designed to understand and execute complex tasks, but it requires clear instructions to do so.
3. Unlocking Full Potential: Microsoft 365 Copilot is equipped with a wide array of capabilities, from summarizing meetings to generating reports. However, to unlock its full potential, users must learn how to ask the right questions. Understanding the scope of Copilot’s abilities and how to tap into them can transform your work experience.
4. Enhancing Creativity: Prompts are not just about getting tasks done; they can also be a source of creativity. By asking the AI to brainstorm, draft, or suggest, you open up possibilities for creative solutions that you might not have considered otherwise.
5. Learning and Development: As you interact with Microsoft 365 Copilot, you’ll learn more about its functionalities and limitations. This ongoing learning process helps you refine your prompting skills, making you more adept at leveraging AI in your daily tasks.
In conclusion, the art of prompting is the key to a successful partnership with AI. It’s about asking the right questions to get the best results. As you continue to use Microsoft 365 Copilot, take the time to craft thoughtful prompts, and you’ll be amazed at how much more productive and efficient your work can become.
In today’s fast-paced work environment, it’s not uncommon to find yourself racing against the clock and arriving late to a meeting. But fret not, Microsoft 365 Copilot is here to swiftly bring you up to speed. Simply prompt it with, “Summarize what I’ve missed in the meeting,” and you’ll be briefed in no time.
Engaging in a heated debate? Copilot can help you organize your thoughts by structuring the discussion into a clear table of pros and cons. Just instruct it with, “Create a table of pros and cons for [topic],” and watch the clarity unfold.
As for meeting notes, Copilot has got you covered. At the end of your meeting, ask Copilot to draft the notes, and you’ll have a ready-to-paste document for Loop or OneNote.
Wondering about unresolved matters? Copilot can sort that out too. A simple request like, “What is unsolved? List it in bullet points,” will provide you with a concise overview.
And that’s just scratching the surface. Copilot’s capabilities extend far beyond these examples. You can inquire about colleagues, such as “Who is x?” for insights based on Entra ID or other contextual data. Or, to gauge the room’s mood, ask, “How do the people feel?” for a sentiment analysis of the meeting.
These are just a few ways Microsoft 365 Copilot can enhance your Teams meetings. Give these tips a try and experience the difference in your next virtual gathering.
Conditional access is a powerful tool that allows you to control access to your orginisations resources based on various conditions. This can include factors such as the user’s location, device, and risk level. In this post, we’ll go over the basics of how to configure conditional access for your organization.
First, it’s important to understand the different components of a conditional access policy. A policy consists of several parts: the users and groups it applies to, the cloud apps or actions it targets, the conditions under which it is enforced, and the access controls that are applied.
Below are the examples of conditional access that orginisations in todays enviroment should consider implementing
Block Legacy Authentication
Will block any devices using legacy authentication.
Under Assignments > Users or workload identities, Select All users under the heading include. On the exclude heading, tick the users and groups item and add the Security Group called Conditional Access – Block Legacy Authentication – Exclude List. Under Assignments > Cloud apps or actions, Select the radio button called All Cloud apps leaving ‘select what this policy applies to’ as the default value Cloud apps.Under Assignments > Conditions > Client Apps set the Configure button to Yes. and place a tick in the following options under Legacy authentication clients (ensure no modern authentication clients are selected) and click done: Exchange ActiveSync ClientsOther Clients. Under Assignments > Access Controls > Grant set the radio button to Block access and set the Multiple controls to Require all the selected controls radio button. Click Select to continue.
Physical location access control
Will block any devices from accessing system that are not from a trusted location (e.g., outside the UK)
Under Assignments > Users or workload identities, Select All users under the heading include. On the exclude heading, tick the users and groups item, and add the Security Group called Conditional Access – Physical Access control – Exclude List. Under Assignments > Cloud apps or actions, Select the radio button called All Cloud apps leaving ‘select what this policy applies to’ as the default value Cloud apps. Under Assignments > Conditions > Locations set Configure to Yes and under include, select Any location. Under Exclude Select Both MFA Trusted IPs and United Kingdom (The named location you created previously) Under Assignments > Access Controls > Grant set the radio button to Block access and set the Multiple controls to Require all the selected controls radio button. Click Select to continue.
MFA for User access control
Will ensure all users have MFA assigned to them for accessing corporate data.
Under Assignments > Users or workload identities, Select All Users. under the heading include. On the exclude heading, tick the users and groups item, and add the Security Group called Conditional Access – User MFA – Exclude List.nder Assignments > Conditions > Client Apps set the Configure button to Yes. and place a tick in the following options under Modern authentication clients and click done: BrowserMobile apps and desktopclients Under Assignments > Access Controls > Grant set the radio button to Grant access and set the Require Multi-factor authentication tick box and set the Multiple controls to Require one of the selected controls radio buttons. Under Sessions > Sign-in frequency > periodic reauthentication set to the number of days or hours you would like MFA to be triggered such as 7 days Click Select to continue.
Device Compliance Check – MacOS Devices
Will ensure all MacOS devices are enrolled into Intune and listed as compliant if the device is not compliant the MacOS device will not be able to access data.
Under Assignments > Users or workload identities, Select All Users. under the heading include. On the exclude heading, tick the All guest and external users. Under Assignments > Conditions > Device platforms set the Configure button to Yes. and select the radio button Select device platforms and tick macOS tick box. Click done. Under Assignments > Access Controls > Grant set the radio button to Grant access and set the Require device to be marked as compliant tick box and set the Multiple controls to Require one of the selected controls radio buttons. Click Select to continue.
Device Compliance Check – Windows Devices
Will ensure all Windows devices are enrolled into Intune and listed as compliant, if the device is not complaint access on the Windows device will be blocked.
Under Assignments > Users or workload identities, Select All Users. under the heading include. On the exclude heading, tick the All guest and external users. Under Assignments > Conditions > Device platforms set the Configure button to Yes. and select the radio button Select device platforms and tick Windows tick box. Click Done. Under Assignments > Access Controls > Grant set the radio button to Grant access and set the Require device to be marked as compliant tick box and set the Multiple controls to Require one of the selected controls radio buttons. Click Select to continue.
MAM-WE App Protection Compliance Check – Mobile Devices
Will ensure all mobile devices accessing corporate data are complaint and added to mobile application management.
Under Assignments > Users or workload identities, Select All Users. under the heading include. On the exclude heading, tick the All guest and external users. Under Assignments > Cloud apps or actions, Select the radio button called All Cloud apps. Under the Exclude setting, add Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Intune Enrolment. Under Assignments > Conditions > Device platforms set the Configure button to Yes. and select the radio button Select device platforms and tick Android and iOS tick box. Click done. Under Assignments > Access Controls > Grant set the radio button to Grant access and set the Require app protection policy tick box and set the Multiple controls to Require one of the selectedcontrols radio buttons.
Block unsupported devices
Will block any devices that are not supported by the organisation such as, Linux devices & Windows phones.
Under Assignments > Users or workload identities, Select All Users. under the heading include. Under Assignments > Cloud apps or actions, Select the radio button called All Cloud apps. Under Assignments > Conditions > Device platforms set the Configure button to Yes. and select the radio button Select device platforms and tick Windows Phone and Linux tick box. Click done. Under Assignments > Access Controls > Grant set the radio button to Block access
Block high risk users
Using the aforementioned Azure AD Identity Protection user risk detections, policies can be created to block, require MFA, or password changes for high-risk users.
Under Assignments > Users or workload identities, Select All Users. under the heading include. Under Assignments > Cloud apps or actions, Select the radio button called All Cloud apps. Under Assignments > Conditions > User Risk set the Configure button to Yes. and select the radio button tick High tick box. Click done. Under Assignments > Conditions > Sign-in Risk set the Configure button to Yes. and select the radio button tick High tick box. Click done. Under Assignments > Access Controls > Grant set the radio button to Block
Require password change for medium risk users
Using the aforementioned Azure AD Identity Protection user risk detections, policies can be created to block, require MFA, or password changes for medium-risk users.
Under Assignments > Users or workload identities, Select All Users. under the heading include. Under Assignments > Cloud apps or actions, Select the radio button called All Cloud apps. Under Assignments > Conditions > User Risk set the Configure button to Yes. and select the radio button tick Medium tick box. Click done. Under Assignments > Access Controls > Grant set the radio button to Require password change
Token protection
Under Assignments > Users or workload identities, Select All Users. under the heading include. Under Assignments > Cloud apps or actions, Select the radio button called Select apps. Select Office 365 Exchange Online & Office 365 SharePoint Online. Click Done Under Assignments > Conditions > Device platforms set the Configure button to Yes. and select the radio button Select device platforms and tick Windows tick box. Click Done. Under Assignments > Conditions > Client Apps set the Configure button to Yes. and select the radio button Modern authentication clients and tick Mobile apps and desktop clients tick box. Click Done. Under Assignments > Sessions > Require token protection for sign-in sessions (Preview) tick Done.
In summary, configuring conditional access involves creating a policy that specifies the users and cloud apps it applies to, the conditions under which it is enforced, and the access controls that are applied. By carefully crafting your conditional access policies, you can ensure that your orginisations resources are protected and only accessed by authorized users under the right conditions.
If you would like a copy of the conditional access policies, I have highlighted above they can be downloaded as a HTML file for an easier view to create within your own tenant.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a cloud-based endpoint security solution that provides comprehensive protection, detection, investigation, and response capabilities for your organization’s devices. It leverages the power of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Graph to analyze and correlate threat data from multiple sources, and uses advanced machine learning and behavioral analysis to identify and stop attacks.
Moving to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint can help you improve your security posture, reduce complexity, and lower costs. However, before you make the switch, there are some key things to consider and plan for.
The benefits and features of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint offers several benefits and features that can help you enhance your endpoint security and streamline your operations. Some of the main ones are:
Unified security management: You can manage all your endpoint security tasks from a single console, the Microsoft Defender Security Center, which integrates with other Microsoft security solutions such as Microsoft 365 Defender, Microsoft Defender for Identity, and Microsoft Cloud App Security. You can also use APIs and connectors to integrate with third-party security tools and platforms.
Continuous protection: You can protect your devices from a wide range of threats, including malware, ransomware, phishing, zero-day exploits, and advanced persistent threats (APTs). You can also apply policies and configurations to harden your devices and prevent unauthorized access.
Proactive detection: You can leverage the power of the cloud and artificial intelligence to detect suspicious activities and behaviors on your devices, and get alerts and recommendations for remediation. You can also use threat intelligence and indicators of compromise (IOCs) to hunt for threats across your environment.
Automated investigation and response: You can use automated playbooks and workflows to investigate and respond to alerts, and isolate, contain, or remediate affected devices. You can also use live response capabilities to perform forensic analysis and take actions on remote devices.
Advanced threat analytics: You can use rich dashboards and reports to gain visibility and insights into your endpoint security posture, threat exposure, and device health. You can also use advanced hunting queries and custom detections to perform deep analysis and uncover hidden threats.
The prerequisites and requirements for deploying Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Before you can deploy Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, you need to meet some prerequisites and requirements. These include:
Licensing: You need to have a valid license for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Supported devices: You need to have devices that run on supported operating systems, such as Windows 10, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can also use Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on virtual machines and devices that are managed by Microsoft Intune or other mobile device management (MDM) solutions.
Network connectivity: You need to have devices that can connect to the internet and to the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint service URLs. You can also use proxies, firewalls, and VPNs to control and secure your network traffic.
Antivirus compatibility: You need to have devices that can run Microsoft Defender Antivirus as the primary or the only antivirus solution, or that can run a third-party antivirus solution that is compatible with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. You can also use Microsoft Defender Antivirus in passive or disabled mode, or use Microsoft Defender for Endpoint in audit mode, to evaluate the solution without affecting your current antivirus protection.
The steps and best practices for migrating from your current endpoint security solution to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Migrating from your current endpoint security solution to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint can be a smooth and seamless process if you follow some steps and best practices. These include:
Planning: You need to plan your migration strategy and timeline, and identify your goals and success criteria. You also need to assess your current endpoint security posture and inventory, and determine your device groups and deployment phases.
Preparation: You need to prepare your devices and network for the deployment of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, and ensure that you meet the prerequisites and requirements. You also need to configure your Microsoft Defender Security Center settings and policies, and test them in a pilot environment.
Deployment: You need to deploy Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to your devices, and monitor and validate the installation and activation status. You also need to verify that your devices are protected and reporting to the Microsoft Defender Security Center, and that your alerts and incidents are handled properly.
Optimization: You need to optimize your Microsoft Defender for Endpoint configuration and performance, and fine-tune your policies and settings. You also need to review your security reports and analytics, and identify and address any gaps or issues.
Transition: You need to transition from your current endpoint security solution to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, and uninstall or disable your previous antivirus solution. You also need to communicate and train your users and stakeholders on how to use and benefit from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
A guide to help you implement and integrate Copilot into your workflows
Introduction
Inherent in our nature is the drive to dream, to unleash our creativity, and to push the boundaries of innovation. However, in the present day, a significant portion of our lives is dedicated to the monotony of work—engaging in tasks that drain our time, stifle our creativity, and deplete our energy. To rediscover the essence of our work, it’s not merely about improving our current methods. Instead, we must embrace an entirely fresh approach to how we work.
Before we get started with Microsoft 365 copilot it is important to ensure that the right security controls are in place within your orginisation.
Stage deployment – Initiating a gradual implementation of Copilot. This allows your organisation to experiment with the tool, comprehend its features, and assess its effect on your operations and efficiency. This phased integration can help pinpoint any potential issues and areas that need enhancement, ensuring a seamless transition for the entire company. A partial rollout also offers valuable insights that can be used to refine the deployment process.
Fine tuning – Like any AI technology, Copilot will continue to develop. It is essential for companies to be ready to constantly adjust its usage to meet their specific requirements. This includes keeping up with Microsoft’s updates, adapting to new functionalities, and training employees to fully utilize the tool’s potential. Being flexible and reactive to these changes will allow companies to fully take advantage of Copilot’s capabilities for their benefit.
Prompt crafting – The effectiveness of Copilot largely depends on the phrasing of the queries. Taking the time to learn how to formulate precise and unambiguous prompts can greatly enhance the quality of Copilot’s responses. This skill is essential, as it determines the pertinence and accuracy of the generated answers. Employees should be motivated to practice and improve their prompt-formulating techniques. Regular training sessions and workshops can be helpful in advancing this skill throughout the company
Adopting – Introducing a new technology like Copilot can present its own set of challenges. Common obstacles include resistance to change, learning curves, and integration difficulties. To tackle these, companies should devise a detailed plan that encompasses training initiatives, support mechanisms, and transparent communication about the advantages and utilization of Copilot. Fostering an open culture where employees can freely share their experiences and triumphs with Copilot can also aid in smoother adoption.
Data management – Data within companies is constantly changing, and it is crucial that the security measures protecting this data are regularly updated and monitored. This ensures that employees do not have access to information that they are not authorized to view. Implementing robust security protocols and regularly reviewing access controls can help safeguard sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access. It is important for companies to remain vigilant and proactive in their efforts to protect their data, and to continually assess and improve their security measures to keep pace with evolving threats.
Intergrations – Companies often use additional applications, such as Salesforce, and Copilot can be configured to query data from these sources using connections to Microsoft Graph. Setting up these integrations after Copilot has already been adopted by the business means that users will have had prior experience with Copilot, making the integration process smoother.
