As businesses increasingly adopt AI tools like Microsoft Copilot to enhance productivity, it’s essential to understand the potential risks associated with their use. While Copilot offers numerous benefits, such as streamlining tasks and improving efficiency, there are several risks that organisations should be aware of to ensure a secure and compliant deployment.
Access Levels
Microsoft Copilot operates based on the existing access permissions within an organisation’s Microsoft 365 environment. It does not grant users any additional privileges or access beyond what they already have. Instead, it enhances productivity by leveraging AI to surface and connect information from the tools and data sources a user is already permitted to access.
To ensure a secure and effective deployment, it is important to review and validate current access controls across all M365 services, including:
- SharePoint (document libraries, shared sites, permissions)
- OneDrive (personal and shared file access)
- Teams (private/public channels, file shares)
- Outlook & Shared Mailboxes (email data exposure risks, delegation access)
- Other Connected Microsoft 365 Apps
Other Key Risks
Sensitive and Confidential Information
Employees may inadvertently feed sensitive and confidential information into Copilot, posing a risk to internal company secrets, intellectual property (IP), and client confidentiality. This risk is exacerbated by the potential for data to be exposed in the event of a platform breach or a user account breach. Organisations must educate employees on the importance of safeguarding sensitive information and implement strict data handling policies to mitigate these risks.
Over-Reliance on AI Tools
One of the primary risks is the potential for users to become overly reliant on Copilot. This dependency can lead to a decrease in critical thinking and problem-solving skills among employees. It’s crucial for organisations to encourage a balanced approach, where AI tools are used to complement human expertise rather than replace it.
Insufficient Reporting and Audit Trails
Microsoft’s reporting tools for Copilot may not provide enough detail for thorough audits and investigations. This lack of transparency can pose challenges in tracking user interactions and ensuring compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements. Organisations should implement additional monitoring and logging mechanisms to maintain a comprehensive audit trail.
Broad Access to Data
Copilot operates based on existing access permissions within an organisation’s Microsoft 365 environment. However, if a senior user’s account is compromised, an attacker could potentially use Copilot to extract confidential information. To mitigate this risk, it’s essential to regularly review and update access controls, ensuring that permissions are appropriately restricted.
Unmanaged and Duplicative Data
The ease with which users can generate new content using Copilot can lead to an increase in unmanaged and duplicative data. This proliferation of data can result in higher storage costs and complicate compliance efforts. Organisations should establish clear data management policies and regularly audit their data repositories to prevent unnecessary data accumulation.
Compliance Risks
With the ability to auto-generate emails, documents, and messages, there is a risk that AI-created content could violate compliance regulations such as HIPAA, GDPR, or FINRA. It’s vital for organisations to implement robust compliance checks and ensure that AI-generated content adheres to all relevant regulations.
By understanding and addressing these risks, organisations can leverage the benefits of Microsoft Copilot while maintaining a secure and compliant environment.