With the launch of Microsoft 365 Copilot, many businesses are excited about the potential for increased productivity through AI-powered tools. But naturally, this raises an important question: how secure is Copilot from an IT and cybersecurity perspective?
Business leaders, especially in regulated sectors like insurance, are right to be cautious. Granting an AI tool access to emails, documents, Teams chats, and sensitive files could potentially result in unintended data leaks, security vulnerabilities, or compliance issues. At Support Tree, we work with London-based businesses to ensure technology boosts performance, without exposing them to unnecessary risk.
In this article, we’ll walk through what Microsoft Copilot is, the security considerations involved, and practical steps you can take to roll it out safely across your organisation.
What Is Microsoft 365 Copilot?
Think of Copilot as your AI-powered assistant embedded within your existing Microsoft 365 tools: Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, and more. It enables users to generate content, summarise meetings, analyse data, and automate repetitive tasks, all through natural language prompts.
This deep integration makes workflows smoother and faster, but it also means that Copilot can access a broad set of data, which is where the security conversation begins.
What Are the Security Risks of Copilot?
Copilot doesn’t operate in isolation – it leverages your organisation’s existing Microsoft 365 permissions and data. While this design ensures users only see what they already have access to, it also means that any overly generous permissions or poorly managed data access can lead to serious risks:
- Oversharing: Employees could unintentionally retrieve and share sensitive information.
- Limited visibility: Microsoft’s native reporting tools may not provide enough insight into how Copilot is being used, making it harder to detect misuse.
- Policy complexity: Copilot’s conversational interface doesn’t always align neatly with existing compliance policies, complicating enforcement.
This is especially critical for industries like insurance, where data confidentiality and compliance are non-negotiable. Learn more about our IT Support for Insurance Companies and how we address these sector-specific concerns.
How Microsoft Is Addressing Copilot Security?
Microsoft has taken major steps to secure Copilot through its Secure Future Initiative, which includes:
- Data Privacy: Microsoft does not use your organisational data to train its AI models.
- Encryption: Data moving between Copilot and Microsoft apps is encrypted end-to-end.
- Access Controls: Copilot honours existing permissions within Azure Active Directory.
- Compliance: Microsoft Copilot adheres to major security frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO/IEC 27001.
- Admin Controls: IT administrators have tools to define what Copilot can access and how it interacts with third-party content.
These are solid foundations, but businesses still need to configure these controls correctly and ensure staff are trained to use Copilot responsibly.
| Category | Security Advantages | Potential Challenges |
| Data Access | Follows existing Microsoft 365 permissions via Azure AD. | Misconfigured permissions could expose sensitive information. |
| Security Features | Uses Microsoft Defender, MFA, encryption, and advanced threat protection. | Reporting on Copilot-specific usage is still developing. |
| Compliance | Meets standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001. | Conversational AI use can complicate compliance enforcement. |
| User Control | Admins can manage app access and plugin integrations. | Broad internal access could be exploited if not properly restricted. |
| AI-Specific Risks | Designed to prevent misuse, including prompt injection attacks. | Still subject to emerging AI-related threats and vulnerabilities. |
Best Practices for Securing Copilot
To reduce risk and maximise the benefits of Copilot, we recommend the following steps:
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). MFA remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to block unauthorised access.
- Run Access Audits Regularly. Review and remove outdated user access. Ensure permissions align with each role’s data needs.
- Use Conditional Access Policies. Set parameters for where and how users can access Copilot—by location, device, or role.
- Train Your Team. Employees need to know how to use Copilot securely. Regular security training is vital, especially as AI tools become more prevalent.
- Implement Zero Trust Principles. Never assume trust – verify every user and device, even if they’re already inside your network perimeter.
Should You Roll Out Copilot for Microsoft 365?
The short answer: Yes, but only with proper planning and protections in place.
Copilot can be transformative, saving time and driving innovation. But like any powerful tool, it requires governance. That’s where the Support Tree comes in.
OurManaged IT Support Services are designed to guide London-based businesses through secure technology adoption. From permission audits and policy design to staff training and compliance checks, we’ll help you roll out Copilot confidently and securely.
Microsoft 365 Copilot is a powerful innovation, but it’s not risk-free. While Microsoft has made major investments in Copilot’s security, it’s up to individual organisations to configure, monitor, and manage their use responsibly.
At Support Tree, we’ve helped businesses across London, from growing SMEs to regulated sectors like insurance, integrate Microsoft 365 tools securely and effectively.
Ready to embrace AI with peace of mind? Get in touch or explore how we can help you with IT Support for Insurance Companies or Managed IT Support Services.
