AI has the potential to greatly enhance productivity and streamline operations for businesses. However, in the wrong hands, it can present organisations with an array of security risks.

The risks associated with AI for businesses

With the vast amount of sensitive information AI technology has access to, there is an increased vulnerability to cyber risks. By failing to configure data security and permissions into your systems, you may expose your data through the use of AI to users, giving them access to confidential data such as financial reports, legal documents, and leaver information if not correctly secured.

One AI tool in particular that has gained significant attention is Microsoft 365 Copilot. While Copilot offers numerous benefits, it is crucial to be aware of the potential dangers associated with its use. In this blog, we will explore the risks and strategies for safely implementing Microsoft 365 Copilot.

What is Microsoft Copilot 365?

Microsoft 365 Copilot is a suite of AI-powered tools integrated into various Microsoft products designed to assist users by enhancing productivity and improving workflows. Using advanced AI and machine learning models, it provides contextually relevant suggestions, automates routine tasks, and generates content, among other functionalities.

Why is Copilot dangerous in the wrong hands?

Despite its potential benefits, Copilot’s automated suggestions have raised concerns about potential security risks. If not properly configured, Copilot can take information from any part of your Microsoft 365 environment – financial documents, legal reports, and more. So, any type of information could be accessed with just a simple command, potentially by anyone in your company.

Plus, with the advancement of AI services, threat actors are also utilising the AI services to generate code quickly to circumvent traditional security systems. This not only increases the risk associated with incorrectly configured services and systems within the Microsoft 365 environment but it can expose your data to external threat actors easily if security services and data haven’t been secured correctly.

Strategies for Safely Implementing Copilot

While it is important to acknowledge the risks associated with Copilot, there are strategies businesses can adopt to mitigate potential dangers:

  • Training and Education: Provide thorough training for developers on using Copilot responsibly and understanding its limitations.
  • Implement Security Measures: Employ robust security measures to safeguard Copilot’s access and prevent unauthorised use.
  • Code Review: Continually review the generated code suggestions from Copilot to identify any potential issues and ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards.
  • Regular Updates: Stay up-to-date with Microsoft’s updates and patches for Copilot to address any potential vulnerabilities or bugs.

In addition, to address the other pressing security challenges surrounding your core Microsoft 365 tenant security, ARO has also launched Secure+ – a comprehensive Microsoft 365 security solution designed to safeguard and enhance your Microsoft environments. Our Secure+ service goes beyond security, providing license management to help organisations better optimise their Microsoft 365 environments.  

By embracing Secure+, organisations benefit from a strategic blend of proactive measures and thorough management to fortify their Microsoft landscape against vulnerabilities, relating to Identities, devices and applications.

Sign up to our upcoming webinars on Microsoft Copilot & AI

Stay informed and discover more about the risks and benefits of Microsoft 365 Copilot by re-watching our webinar AI & You. In this webinar, our experts delve deeper into the basics of AI, the capabilities built in Microsoft 365 Copilot and what it can do for your organisation, along with the risks associated with AI and how to integrate it safely into your current systems. 

Sign up to future webinar series with all things AI and Microsoft here.