Microsoft deployment blueprint - Address oversharing concerns for your M365 Copilot deployment

Overview: 

Optimized deployment leverages advanced compliance and automation capabilities available in Microsoft 365 E5. This episode outlines how E5 customers can proactively secure data and enhance Copilot performance. 

What Does “Optimized” Mean? 

Optimized deployment integrates advanced tools like Purview DSPM for AI, Communications Compliance, and Microsoft Defender XDR to automate and scale data protection. 

Pilot Phase (2–4 Days) 

Goal: Deploy Copilot to a pilot group with access to vetted, low-risk sites. 

• Site Discovery: Use SharePoint Admin Center to export the top 100 most visited sites. Export top 100 sites and run SharePoint Advanced Management (SAM) permission state reports and Purview DSPM for AI assessments to gain visibility into all data at risk of Copilot access (pivot on labels and sensitive information types). 

• Access Control: Enable Restricted SharePoint Search for selected sites and disable EEEU at the tenant level. 

• Audit & Compliance: Turn on Purview Audit, Communications Compliance, and DLP simulation policies. 

Deploy Phase (2–4 Weeks) 

Goal: Full Copilot deployment with robust data protection. 

• Risk Discovery: Use DAG reports and DSPM assessments to flag oversharing. 

• Sensitive Data Protection: Apply RAC, RCD, and sensitivity labels to restrict Copilot access. 

• Privacy Enforcement: Use container and library sensitivity labels to enforce site privacy. 

• Policy Enforcement: Activate enforce-mode DLP policies and disable RSS for full Copilot functionality. 

Operate Phase (1+ Months) 

Goal: Continuously improve data security and Copilot accuracy. 

• Automation: Automate SAM reports and lifecycle policies to manage permissions, ownerless sites, and automate permission hygiene. 

• Advanced Protection: Use Purview auto-labeling, DLP incident queues, and Microsoft Defender XDR. 

• User Monitoring: Investigate risky user activity and update policies accordingly. 

• Data Lifecycle: Apply retention and deletion policies to reduce obsolete content. 

References:

Microsoft 365 Copilot admin guide for E5 + SAM licenses