As of the writing of this article, Microsoft Security Copilot is still in its Early Access Program. Therefore, it’s important to remember that some of the information in this article may be subject to change as new developments appear. Still, there are some insights that we have on how this emerging AI-powered tool will enhance security operations.
| “What we know about Security Copilot is still emerging, but it is showing incredible promise in these early stages.” – Mario Arjona, Chief of Staff, Outsource Solutions Group |
If you’re unaware or need a refresher, Microsoft Security Copilot is a new Microsoft security product that uses artificial intelligence to adapt to the evolving tactics of threat actors and the organization’s regular operations. As a result, it generates smart, automated incident responses based on data from both verticals.
Like other generative AI tools, Security Copilot will still need a good security analyst behind it. This person can ensure that it’s performing as expected and nudge it in the right direction if needed. So, today we will explore how to use Microsoft Security Copilot.
Because information on the tool is emerging and subject to change, the content below will be within the parameters of what we know so far.
How Microsoft Security Copilot is Deployed
Before you can start using it, you must qualify for the Microsoft Security Copilot Early Access Program. This program is invite-only and requires organizations to meet certain AI usage standards. Standards include demonstrating that AI will be used as an enhancer and accelerator of human decisions rather than a replacement for them within the organization.
Once an organization qualifies, the tool is deployed either as a standalone or embedded into another Microsoft product. Organizations must also confirm their location during the onboarding process, as customer data collected by the service and stored based on geo-location.
Standalone vs. Embedded Experiences
From a user perspective, how to use Microsoft Security Copilot varies based on whether it’s standalone or embedded. This flexibility allows users to utilize Security Copilot in the context of their existing workflow.
The difference between the standalone and embedded Microsoft Security Copilot experience is simply where the user uses the tool. The standalone experience involves direct interaction with the tool on its own interface. By contrast, the embedded experience integrates it into existing products like Microsoft 365 Defender, Microsoft Sentinel, or Microsoft Intune.
This affects more than simply the interface. It may also impact how the user can use Security Copilot. Here is an overview of key differences.
| Standalone | Embedded | |
| Integration | Operates independently | Integrated within other applications |
| Interface | Dedicated Copilot interface | Within the interface of the host application |
| Interaction | Direct with Copilot | Through the host application |
| Features | Full range of Copilot features | Only features relevant to the specific host application |
| Use Case | Broad, not tied to any specific application | Specific to the context of the host application |
What Can You Do With Microsoft Security Copilot?
There are many ways that security teams can use Microsoft Security Copilot. This is because the tool includes a broad range of features. To answer this question specifically, here is a list of possible uses for the tool.
1. Incident Response
Security Copilot can quickly summarize details about cybersecurity incidents. It collects incident details with context from various data sources, assesses their impact, and guides analysts on remediation steps. This functionality helps organizations quickly understand and respond to security threats
2. Threat Hunting
The tool aids in proactive threat hunting and intelligence gathering. It enables security professionals to identify and understand emerging threats by summarizing vast data signals based on global threat intelligence.
3. Security Posture Management
Security Copilot assists in managing an organization’s security posture by providing information on events that might expose it to known threats. It also offers prescriptive guidance on how to patch any detected vulnerabilities.
| Before Security Copilot is Made Public, There Are Other Ways to Defend Your System |
4. Device, Identity, and Data Management
Security Copilot offers functionalities in device management, identity management, and data security. It can generate policies, simulate outcomes, discover over-privileged access, create access reviews, and identify data impacted by incidents.
5. Cloud Security Analysis
The tool also provides insights into cyber attack paths affecting cloud workloads and summarizes common cloud vulnerabilities. This is crucial for organizations that increasingly rely on cloud services for their operations.
6. Generating Security Reports
Copilot is capable of generating executive summaries or detailed reports on security investigations, vulnerabilities, or threat actors. This feature is particularly useful for creating comprehensive and understandable reports for stakeholders who may not have deep technical knowledge
Potential Benefits of Microsoft Security Copilot
1. Amplified Team Efficiency
Security Copilot can guide security teams with actionable insights based on 65 trillion daily signals. This massive data analysis capacity significantly enhances the team’s ability to make more efficient and informed decisions about your cybersecurity practices.
2. Enhanced Junior Staff Capability
The tool empowers junior staff members with step-by-step guidance. Since the average new employee takes 1 to 2 years to reach full productivity in their role, a tool that enhances their abilities early can help you utilize their talents sooner.
Additionally, it helps them handle complex tasks that might otherwise have required senior staff involvement. This gives senior staff more time to focus on other tasks.
3. Compliance Assistance
By analyzing documents and surfacing risks such as collusion, fraud, and sabotage, Security Copilot provides comprehensive insights into potential compliance issues. This ability helps organizations to take proactive steps to address these risks and adhere to regulatory requirements before incidents occur.
4. Identity Management Optimization
Security Copilot can discover over-privileged access, create access reviews for incidents, generate and describe access policies, and evaluate licensing across solutions. Having all of this information rapidly generated in real-time can make access control decisions much easier.
5. Streamlined Operations
The tool manages vulnerabilities and emerging cyber threats effectively while also initiating guided investigations and speeding up the analysis of scripts and queries. These capabilities collectively simplify and enhance the entire security operation process.
Conclusion
Microsoft Security Copilot is an exciting new innovation both for Microsoft and the cybersecurity world. It won’t be able to replace the work of a high-quality cybersecurity team, but it is showing signs that it will even make the work of a seasoned professional more effective.
Keep your eye on the official Microsoft website for more updates as they arise.
