Jordan's Journey to secure Microsoft Copilot

Prologue: The Voyage Begins

In the heart of Silicon Valley, a young tech enthusiast named Jordan was poised to embark on a digital odyssey with Microsoft Copilot. Jordan’s organization had already embraced Microsoft 365, confident in its robust security measures for handling sensitive data. Yet, the integration of Copilot presented a new frontier of cybersecurity risks and challenges.

Chapter 1: Charting the Course

Jordan was well-versed in the six-step operation of Copilot within Microsoft 365, from prompt entry to the final response delivery. Aware of the inherent risks, Jordan meticulously reviewed the security controls provided by Microsoft, including encryption at rest, the availability of a customer key for E5 customers, and the comprehensive coverage of Microsoft Purview data security features.

Chapter 2: Navigating the Risks

Jordan identified two distinct types of risks associated with Copilot: generative-amplified (Gen-amplified) and generative-native (Gen-native). Gen-amplified risks were pre-existing within the Microsoft 365 tenant, while Gen-native risks were unique to Copilot’s usage. The most pressing Gen-amplified risk was the exposure of over permissioned files, which could lead to unauthorized access.

Chapter 3: Fortifying the Defenses

To mitigate these risks, Jordan implemented a multi-layered security strategy:

• Risk 1 - Copilot for Microsoft 365 Exposes Over permissioned Files to Unauthorized or Unintended Users
• Mitigation: Jordan adopted an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and initiated comprehensive awareness training. A Data Access Governance (DAG) tool was deployed to proactively manage permissions, and Information Rights Management (IRM) tools were utilized to monitor abnormal file activities.
• Risk 2 - Sensitive Information Leaves the Microsoft 365 Service Boundary via Copilot for Microsoft 365 Usage
• Mitigation: Administrators were empowered to control the enablement of plug-ins, ensuring that sensitive information remained within the Microsoft 365 service boundary.
• Risk 3 - Copilot Responses Could Include Hallucination, Toxic Output or Copyright-Protected Content
• Mitigation: Grounding processes, coupled with Azure AI Content Safety and responsible AI practices, were established to prevent hallucinations or toxic outputs.
• Risk 4 - Copilot for Microsoft 365 Is Susceptible to Prompt Injection Attacks
• Mitigation: An AUP and awareness training were reinforced to safeguard against prompt injection attacks.

Chapter 4: Sailing Towards a Secure Horizon

Jordan’s proactive approach to cybersecurity, combined with the utilization of Microsoft-native controls and a vigilant stance on content safety, ensured a secure and efficient use of Copilot. The journey was not without its perils, but Jordan’s ship was well-armored against the digital tempests.

Epilogue: The Safe Harbor

As the digital seas continue to evolve, so too must the strategies to navigate them. Jordan’s tale is a beacon for all tech navigators, highlighting the importance of cybersecurity vigilance in an AI-augmented world.

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The End

Note: This story is a fictional narrative designed to illustrate the cybersecurity considerations and mitigation strategies associated with the adoption of Microsoft Copilot within an organization.