Microsoft 365 Copilot Readiness: Data & Access Security Audit by ISCG

During Microsoft 365 Copilot readiness assessments, we frequently uncover the same critical pattern: users gaining access to sensitive information not because Copilot is incorrect, but because Microsoft 365 permissions were never properly reviewed.

In one large services organization, Copilot began returning fragments of budgets and cost analyses to marketing employees — content they were never meant to see. This was not a Copilot malfunction. The root cause was years-old inherited SharePoint permissions that silently granted marketing indirect access to dozens of sensitive locations through outdated folder-level inheritance. This scenario is becoming increasingly common. Microsoft 365 Copilot uses all data a user already has access to — including access that is accidental, inherited or misconfigured. As a result, many organizations unknowingly expose HR files, financial documents, executive materials or legal content. ISCG’s assessment eliminates these risks and prepares the environment for a secure and compliant Copilot rollout.

Scope of the Service:

We analyze real, effective access across SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams and Entra ID, identifying: • oversharing and misconfigured permissions • broken inheritance and outdated folder structures • public Teams and unmanaged private channels • excessive Entra ID group access and nested permissions • high-risk areas (HR, Finance, Executive, Legal)

We also validate core security and data protection controls: • Microsoft Purview (Sensitivity Labels, DLP, Content/Access Explorer) • Entra ID governance (PIM, Access Reviews, role assignments) • Conditional Access and MFA resilience • overall data visibility from Copilot’s perspective

A key deliverable is the Copilot Data Visibility Map — a clear view of your data exactly as Copilot sees it, showing which files, sites and locations may appear in Copilot responses under your current permissions. Following the audit, we provide actionable recommendations, quick wins, least-privilege governance guidance and a complete Copilot Readiness Roadmap, followed by a joint workshop for IT and business stakeholders.

Deliverables:

• Audit Report Package – access & security audit + Copilot-related risks • Security & Governance Recommendations – actionable access governance policies • Copilot Data Visibility Map – data and locations accessible to Copilot • Copilot Readiness Roadmap – prioritized short-, mid- and long-term improvements • Workshop Deck – final presentation for IT and business leaders

Outcomes:

• Secure, Zero-Trust-aligned Copilot deployment • Oversharing and misconfigurations eliminated • Transparency of data access across Microsoft 365 • Governance aligned with Microsoft best practices • Prepared IT & Security teams for responsible AI adoption

Why ISCG?

Proven Microsoft Expertise • Advanced Specializations in Security, Compliance & Information Protection

Deep Microsoft 365 Security & Governance Skills • Experts in SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, Entra ID, Purview and Copilot • Strong track record in eliminating oversharing and restoring least privilege

Trusted by Regulated & Large Organizations • 20+ years of Microsoft 365 experience • Delivery for enterprise, public sector and regulated industries • Security clearances: Classified: “NATO Secret”, “EU/ESA Secret”, PKI • IT & Security teams prepared for safe AI adoption