Navigating AI security: Identifying risks and implementing mitigations
As artificial intelligence becomes central to software innovation, it also introduces unique security challenges—especially in applications powered by large language models (LLMs). In this edition of the Software Development Company Security Series, we explore the evolving risks facing AI-powered products and share actionable strategies to secure AI solutions throughout the development lifecycle. *Data based on 2024–2025 global reports from Cyberhaven, Swimlane, FS-ISAC, Capgemini, Palo Alto Networks, and Pillar Security analyzing AI security incidents across sectors. Understanding the Evolving AI Threat Landscape AI systems, particularly LLMs, differ from traditional software in one fundamental way: they’re generative, probabilistic, and nondeterministic. This unpredictability opens the door to novel security risks, including: Sensitive Data Exposure: Leaked personal or proprietary data via model outputs. Prompt Injection: Manipulated inputs crafted to subvert AI behavior. Supply Chain Attacks: Risks from compromised training data, open-source models, or third-party libraries. Model Poisoning: Insertion of malicious content during training to bias outcomes. Jailbreaks & Misuse: Circumventing safeguards to produce unsafe or unethical content. Compliance & Trust Risks: Legal, regulatory, and reputational consequences from unvalidated AI outputs. These risks underscore the need for a security-first approach to designing, deploying, and operating AI systems. Key Risks: The OWASP Top 10 for LLMs The OWASP Top 10 LLM Risks offer a framework for understanding threats specific to generative AI. Key entries include: Prompt Injection Sensitive Data Disclosure Model and Data Poisoning Excessive Model Permissions Hallucination & Misinformation System Prompt Leakage Vector Embedding Exploits Uncontrolled Resource Consumption Each of these risks presents opportunities for attackers across the AI lifecycle—from model training and prompt design to output handling and API access. Inherent Risks of LLM-Based Applications Three core attributes contribute to LLM vulnerabilities: Probabilistic Outputs: Same prompt, different results. Non-Determinism: Inconsistent behavior, compounded over time. Linguistic Flexibility: Prone to manipulation and hallucination. Common attack scenarios include: Hallucination: Fabricated content presented as fact—dangerous in domains like healthcare or legal. Indirect Prompt Injection: Malicious prompts hidden in user content (emails, docs). Jailbreaks: Bypassing guardrails using clever or multi-step prompting. Mitigations include retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), output validation, prompt filtering, and user activity monitoring. Microsoft’s Approach to Securing AI Applications Securing AI requires embedding Zero Trust principles and responsible AI at every stage. Microsoft supports this through: Zero Trust Architecture Verify explicitly based on identity and context Use least privilege access controls Assume breach with proactive monitoring and segmentation Shared Responsibility Model Customer-managed models: You manage model security and data. Microsoft-managed platforms: Microsoft handles infrastructure; you configure securely. End-to-End Security Controls Protect infrastructure, APIs, orchestration flows, and user prompts. Enforce responsible AI principles: fairness, privacy, accountability, and transparency. Tools & Ecosystem Microsoft Defender for Cloud: Monitors AI posture and detects threats like credential misuse or jailbreak attempts. Azure AI Foundry: Scans models for embedded risks and unsafe code. Prompt Shield: Filters harmful inputs in real-time. Red Team Tools (e.g., Pirate): Simulate attacks to harden defenses pre-deployment. Action Steps for Software Companies Securing AI Products Here’s a focused checklist for AI builders and software development companies: Embed Security Early Apply Zero Trust by default Use identity and access management Encrypt data in transit and at rest Leverage Microsoft Security Ecosystem Enable Defender for Cloud for AI workload protection Scan models via Azure AI Foundry Deploy Prompt Shield to defend against jailbreaks and injection attacks Secure the Supply Chain Maintain a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) Regularly audit and patch dependencies Sanitize external data inputs Mitigate LLM-Specific Risks Validate outputs and restrict unsafe actions Use RAG to reduce hallucination Monitor prompt usage and filter malicious patterns Build for Multi-Tenancy and Compliance Use Well-Architected Framework for OpenAI Isolate tenant data Ensure alignment with data residency and privacy laws Continuously Improve Conduct regular red teaming Monitor AI systems in production Establish incident response playbooks Foster a Security-First Culture Share responsibility across engineering, product, and security teams Train users on AI risks and responsible usage Update policies to adapt to evolving threats Conclusion: Secure AI Is Responsible AI AI’s potential can only be realized when it is both innovative and secure. By embedding security and responsibility across the AI lifecycle, software companies can deliver solutions that are not only powerful—but trusted, compliant, and resilient. Explore More OWASP Top 10 for Large Language Model Applications | OWASP Foundation Overview - AI threat protection - Microsoft Defender for Cloud | Microsoft Learn Prompt Shields in Azure AI Content Safety - Azure AI services | Microsoft Learn AI Red Teaming Agent - Azure AI Foundry | Microsoft Learn AI Trust and AI Risk: Tackling Trust, Risk and Security in AI Models What is Azure AI Content Safety? - Azure AI services | Microsoft Learn Overview of Responsible AI practices for Azure OpenAI models - Azure AI services | Microsoft Learn Architecture Best Practices for Azure OpenAI Service - Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework | Microsoft Learn Azure OpenAI Landing Zone reference architecture AI Workload Documentation - Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework | Microsoft Learn Announcing new tools in Azure AI to help you build more secure and trustworthy generative AI applications | Microsoft Azure Blog HiddenLayer Model Scanner helps developers assess the security of open models in the model catalog | Microsoft Community Hub Inside AI Security with Mark Russinovich | BRK227 The Price of Intelligence - ACM QueueWhy being secure and transactable is a key to marketplace success
The Partner Spotlight series highlights the achievements of forward-thinking partners who are driving innovation in the commercial marketplace. These industry pioneers share how they leverage AI to develop advanced applications, create impactful solutions on the Microsoft Cloud, launch transactable offerings, and accelerate their success through marketplace sales. In this installment, I had the opportunity to chat with Ásgrímur Skarphéðinsson, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Klynke, about the companies focus on building securely on the Microsoft cloud, their motivation for publishing transactable offers, and the success they have seen on the Azure marketplace. About Ásgrímur: As CTO of Klynke, Ásgrímur Skarphéðinsson drives product innovation and technology strategy. With a strong background in engineering and full-stack development, Ásgrímur leads the design and architecture of Klynke’s time tracking platform, ensuring it delivers secure, scalable performance within the Microsoft cloud. He is passionate about building intuitive solutions that integrate seamlessly with Microsoft 365 and Teams—helping modern teams work smarter, stay compliant, and focus on what matters most. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ [JR]: Tell us about your organization. What inspired the founding? What products/services do you offer? [AS]: At Klynke, we believe technology should feel like a natural extension of the way people work, and that belief inspired our founding. We started with a simple idea: to help organizations work smarter by building secure, cloud-based tools on the Microsoft platform, and our work proved something important: Microsoft’s cloud had the power and flexibility to bring innovative ideas to life. From there, we noticed a gap, that Microsoft 365 didn’t offer native time tracking. So, we built what we wished existed: a secure, intuitive time management solution that works directly inside the Microsoft 365 tools people already use. That’s how Klynke Time Management was born. Today, our solution connects seamlessly with Teams, Planner, Outlook, SharePoint, and Excel. It helps teams track time right where the work happens—without switching tools or breaking focus. And with the Klynke Teams app included, it’s all just a click away. [JR]: Can you tell us a bit about the application(s) you have available on the marketplace? How does it work? [AS]: Klynke Time Management, available on Microsoft Marketplace, is built to simplify time tracking within Microsoft 365. Whether you're working in Teams or Outlook, Klynke lets you log time on tasks and projects without leaving your flow. Thanks to our deep integration with Microsoft Graph, Klynke syncs across tools like Teams, Outlook, Planner, SharePoint, and Excel—so everything stays connected and up to date. The app is designed to be as intuitive as it is powerful. You can log time, track progress, and view reports through filtered dashboards—all within your familiar Microsoft environment. And since it’s all hosted on Microsoft’s cloud, customers enjoy world-class security and compliance by default. [JR]: What Microsoft cloud products did you use in your app development? What value is this enabling with your customers? [AS]: We built Klynke Time Management using a mix of Microsoft cloud services that together create a seamless, secure experience for our users. At the core is Microsoft Azure, which gives us scalability and rock-solid reliability. We use Azure Active Directory for secure authentication, Azure SQL to manage metadata, and Microsoft Graph to integrate deeply with Microsoft 365 apps like Teams, Planner, Outlook, SharePoint, and Excel. In terms of new releases, testing and deployment we use Azure DevOps. Klynke also runs directly within Microsoft Teams and Outlook, which means users can track time without ever leaving their daily workflow. This cross-cloud application integration helps teams stay productive, focused, and secure—all while working in tools they already know. [JR]: How has Microsoft supported you along your journey? [AS]: Microsoft has been our platform provider and a true partner in our growth. From development to deployment, we’ve been able to tap into Microsoft’s ecosystem for guidance, technical resources, and support. Publishing on the Microsoft Marketplace has been a game changer. It gave us the reach of a global platform, and the best part, Microsoft handles transactions. That lets us focus on what matters most: building great software and supporting our customers. Being part of the Microsoft ecosystem means we’re always building on a foundation of trust, innovation, and security. [JR]: How does your org align its business to enabling positive impact for your customers and communities? [AS]: At Klynke, our mission is to help people work smarter—and that includes organizations making a real difference in their communities. We designed our time tracking solution to be flexible and intuitive for professionals, managers, and teams, with a special focus on small and medium-sized organizations. A key feature is support for teams working across time zones and regions, where coordination is critical, and simplicity is essential. One example is a UK-based healthcare nonprofit focused on improving the diagnosis and management of chronic diseases in primary care. With a globally distributed team, they needed a simple way to stay coordinated without adding operational overhead. Klynke helps them track time consistently and collaborate more effectively allowing them to stay focused on improving patient outcomes. Another example is a U.S.-based healthcare provider with a national network of therapists and contractors. Time tracking across multiple time zones was a challenge, especially with compliance requirements. By integrating Klynke into their Microsoft 365 tools, they’ve streamlined operations and reduced administrative complexity. App Security: Building securely on the Microsoft cloud [JR]: Tell us about your approach to app security. What inspired your focus on building securely on the Microsoft cloud? [AS]: Security has always been front and center for us—it’s not a checkbox, it’s a mindset. From the beginning, we knew our app had to operate securely within our customers’ Microsoft 365 environments. That’s why we chose to build on Microsoft’s cloud. It offers powerful tools like Azure Active Directory and Microsoft Graph that make secure development not just possible, but practical. Our goal is simple: to give customers a solution they can trust—one that’s built on a foundation of compliance, data protection, and transparency. We’re proud that security is baked into every layer of our product. It’s not something we add on—it’s something we architected for from the start. [JR]: Can you describe the security features of your application(s) available on the marketplace? How do they work? [AS]: Klynke Time Management is built using Microsoft’s platform-as-a-service (PaaS) model, which means we benefit from constant security updates and enhancements from Microsoft. Key security features include: Azure Active Directory integration for secure authentication and access control Microsoft Graph API for secure data interactions within Microsoft 365 Zero data duplication—Klynke operates inside your Microsoft 365 environment, so your data stays where it belongs The result? A time management solution that’s secure by design and always evolving. [JR]: What Microsoft cloud security products did you use in your app development? What value is this enabling with your customers? [AS]: We rely on Azure Active Directory to handle secure identity and access management. It ensures that only authorized users can access sensitive time-tracking data. Because we’ve built on Microsoft’s cloud, we’re also aligned with enterprise-grade security standards out of the box, something our customers deeply value, especially in regulated industries. [JR]: What were some of the challenges you encountered while building securely on the Microsoft Cloud, and how did you overcome them? [AS]: Our primary challenge was ensuring seamless integration with Microsoft 365 without compromising security or performance. We encountered technical obstacles such as API throttling and latency. We addressed these by utilizing Microsoft's comprehensive documentation, tools like the Graph Explorer, and Azure DevOps best practices. These resources enabled us to fine-tune our implementation and ensure stability and performance. [JR]: What business outcomes/impact have you experienced as a result of building securely? [AS]: Building securely on the Microsoft cloud has allowed us to deeply integrate Klynke into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Our users benefit from working within familiar tools, and our secure-by-design approach has reinforced customer trust. Knowing their data remains within their own Microsoft 365 environment and complies with industry standards has been a key differentiator for our solution. [JR]: What security measures do you implement to protect sensitive customer data in your applications? [AS]: We do not transfer or store any customer data outside their Microsoft 365 environment. All data remains under the customer’s control and is managed according to their own security and compliance policies. This architecture ensures that the customer retains full ownership and oversight of their information. [JR]: How do you ensure the security of third-party integrations and APIs used in your applications? [AS]: We rely exclusively on Microsoft Graph API, protected by Azure Active Directory, and managed entirely by the customer’s global IT administrator. To access the directory securely, we use the Microsoft Authentication Library (MSAL), which is developed by Microsoft to meet the highest standards of security. [JR]: Can you share any best practices for securing applications during the development lifecycle on the Microsoft Cloud, or advice for partners who are just starting their app security journey? [AS]: Our experience would suggest Adopt Azure Active Directory as the foundation for authentication. Use MSAL for secure and scalable access to AD resources. Design for multi-tenant environments from the start. Architect your solution to avoid moving data from the customer's environment—leaving data ownership and security within their domain. Publishing transactable offers [JR]: What business outcomes have you experienced as a result of having a transactable offer on the marketplace? [AS]: Having a transactable offer on the Microsoft commercial marketplace has meaningfully streamlined our sales process. Customers can now try, buy, and deploy Klynke Time Management with just a few clicks, all within the familiar Microsoft environment. This level of accessibility has helped accelerate adoption, broaden our reach, and improve conversion rates. Since making Klynke transactable, we’ve expanded from serving customers in a single country to supporting users across eight countries, spanning four continents. One customer, based in the U.K., manages a globally distributed team that extends into Asia—highlighting how Klynke’s deep integration with Microsoft 365 makes it easy to coordinate across time zones and regions. The marketplace has played a key role in enabling this kind of international scale with minimal friction. [JR]: How has the ability to transact directly on the marketplace influenced your sales strategy and customer interactions? [AS]: Being able to transact directly in the marketplace has streamlined our sales approach, enabling customers to explore, purchase, and implement Klynke Time Management more efficiently. This ease of access has allowed us to reduce friction in the buying process, leading to quicker decisions and smoother customer interactions. It’s also helped us focus more on delivering value, as customers are empowered to manage their own journey with less reliance on traditional sales cycles. [JR]: Were there any challenges you encountered throughout the publication process? How did you overcome them? [AS]: Our biggest challenge was implementing the SaaS fulfilment APIs required for publishing on the Microsoft commercial marketplace. This task demanded more effort from our development team than we initially anticipated. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the level of quality testing Microsoft applied to our application. The feedback and support from Microsoft helped us refine and strengthen our solution, ultimately resulting in a better product for the marketplace.
M365 Developers Update | April 2025
Spotlight Debug your agents directly in Microsoft 365 Copilot to streamline your workflow with the agent debugging experience Get Started Learn how to build a declarative agent for Microsoft 365 Copilot that calls a secured API in our three-part series Watch now Introducing agent flows: Transforming automation with AI-first workflows Try it out Learn Discover how you can build AI-enabled voice agents with Azure Communication Services and Azure OpenAI Watch Demo Enhance Microsoft 365 with new Microsoft Graph connectors for AI-powered search, insights, and productivity Read more Try the latest version of Dev Proxy, now with improved validation, plugin reliability, a brand-new Docker image, and more Get it now Keep up to date Microsoft Build- Join us in-person and online to diver into advanced AI and agent capabilities Register now AI Agents Hack 2025- Participat in our hackathon (April 8-30) to learn from experts and build agents for a chance to win prizes Hack together YouTube- Watch tutorials, demos, and more on our channel Subscribe Community calls- Learn from our experts on a variety of Microsoft 365 platform topics Join a callJoin us at Microsoft's campus for the Ultimate Partner LIVE event!
The countdown is on - Ultimate Partner LIVE in Redmond, WA on May 1st – 2nd is fast approaching, and you won’t want to miss it! This is the event for connecting with Microsoft executives, partners, and industry experts driving ecosystem growth and shaping the future. Join us as we take over the iconic Microsoft Conference Center for two action-packed days. It’s your opportunity to engage directly with Microsoft leaders, learn from expert panel discussions, immerse yourself in hands-on workshops, and experience a targeted partnering experience. Microsoft’s ongoing support of Ultimate Partner, along with its sponsorship of the Ultimate Partner LIVE event, highlights the importance of ecosystem-led growth. A special thank you to all the Microsoft leaders below who plan to take the stage and those who coordinate behind the scenes to make this event a success. Over 30 industry-leading speakers and award-winning partners will grace the stage and share insights that will shape the future of cloud go-to-market strategies. The two-day agenda will cover topics such as: Prepare Your Microsoft Business for FY26 The Marketplace Ecosystem Opportunity The State of the Marketplace Ecosystem Microsoft’s AI & Software Vision Forging the New World of Data & AI Defining the Marketplace of the Future for SMBs The Power of Partnerships: Building AI Together Perspective of a Microsoft Marketplace POTY Award Winner Embracing Change and Pivoting for Success Acre of Diamonds: How to Leverage the Opportunity with Microsoft Unlocking the Opportunity Through Ecosystem Thinking The Partner Perspective for Ecosystem Thinking Future of Distribution Co-Selling Journey Celebrating Microsoft: 50 Years of Tectonic Shifts And more! Why This Event is Critical: We are standing at a pivotal moment: AI is advancing faster than most organizations can keep up with. Accelerate Microsoft FY25 Q4 priorities and understand FY26 opportunities. Microsoft Marketplace is poised for explosive growth. Go-to-market success now demands tighter alignment and precision from partners than ever before. Why You Can’t Afford to Miss This Event: Exclusive Access to Microsoft Decision-Makers The executives setting the agenda for FY26 will be in the room. You’ll gain clarity on FY26. Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer & CVP Global Partner Solutions will kick us off, and you will hear from leaders across the Software, Services, Reseller, Marketplace, and Sales Organizations. Know exactly how to align your business, resources, and messaging to what Microsoft actually cares about this fiscal year. Interactive Workshops to Sharpen Your Skills How to co-sell smarter with Microsoft How to design GTM plays that convert How to win with commercial marketplace motions With Industry Experts like Reis Barrie, CEO of Carve Partners, John Jahnke, CEO of Tackle.io, Sam Gong, SVP Marketing at WorkSpan, Rebecca Jones, Chief Growth Officer of Bridge Partners, Erin Figer, Founder of Core Consulting, and leaders from The Partner Masters, Suger and more hosting immersive workshops, be prepared to learn and implement. Proven Frameworks for Delivering Results Vince Menzione will share his 7 Principles of Successful Partnerships—developed from working with top-performing partners across the ecosystem. Other experts will share frameworks for marketplace, co-selling, GTM, and more Networking Opportunities to Accelerate Your Business This will be a curated executive room where you'll connect with partner leaders, advisors, and Microsoft stakeholders in high-trust conversations that spark real opportunities. You’ll leave with a tighter, more strategic network—and future deals in motion. An Intentionally Designed Experience with Real-World Impact Every detail of this event—from the location in Redmond to the experience design—is built to support meaningful conversations, clarity, and action. What People Say: “What an incredible experience at the Ultimate Partner Live Executive Summit. Two days packed with relationship building, business growth, and learning – it felt like months of progress compressed into 2 days.” Steven Karachinsky, CEO at Ziro “Really loved the vibe and amazing conversations with the partners at the Ultimate event! I think you absolutely have the right formula to create impact for the entire ecosystem with such a gathering.” Sandy Gupta, VP, Ecosystems of Global Software Companies at Microsoft “The event was informative, insightful, and inspiring. Your ability to put into words the tectonic shift we are all experiencing is refreshing! Thanks for being the trailblazer by providing thoughtful content and curated partner experiences. We have all been craving this for so long.” Regina Manfredi, EVP, General Manager at Crayon Group US “Attending this event was like striking gold 🙂 As a startup founder focused on co-sell and partnership, the validation and insights I gained at this event were invaluable; the future of partnerships and alliances is clearly bright. Vince Menzione, you are truly a powerhouse, and I wish you continued success! Most importantly, thank you for streaming the entire event, was truly incredible.” Archana Vadya, Founder & CEO at PartneRite “A big shout out to Vince Menzione for bringing this scale event (Ultimate Partner LIVE in Dallas) to life! It was a mega effort, and the results were amazing. Just look at the abundance of LinkedIn posts! It was an absolute pleasure sharing the stage with so many incredible speakers and colleagues from Microsoft and several of our partners like WorkSpan, Carve Partners, BDO, EY, Archive360, Sage, PartnerTap.” Kevin Peesker, (former) President, SMC - Small, Medium, Corporate Business at Microsoft This will prove to be the most valuable two days for your business in the first half of 2025. Ultimate Partner LIVE is a premium, focused, two-day immersive experience that will equip you with the tools and insights to lead through change and drive measurable results in FY26. Register now and use code ULTIMATEVIP50 at checkout for an exclusive discount.Exciting updates to the ISV Success Visual Studio benefit!
We have some fantastic news to share with you. 🎉 The ISV Success Visual Studio benefit is getting an upgrade! Starting in March, you will still have access to Visual Studio Enterprise and Azure DevOps and we're rolling out a host of new training and community benefits that will supercharge your development experience. These exciting new benefits will be available in Partner Center, making it easier than ever to access everything you need to excel in your development journey. Here's a sneak peek at what's coming your way: New Training Benefits - Sharpen your skills with a variety of training courses tailored to help you stay ahead in the ever-evolving tech landscape with exclusive discounts on DevForge and DomeTrain. DevForge's expert led courses, featuring renowned educator Tim Corey. Unlock a library of developer upskilling resources, from comprehensive master courses to specialized trainings. Explore DevPass Dometrain Pro led by industry veteran Nick Chapsas, Dometrain courses are designed to teach you actionable skills and real-world practices, as if you were paired with a skilled senior engineer in a real modern company. Browse Dometrain courses New Community Benefits - Engage with like-minded professionals and get your technical questions answered in our vibrant community forums. Microsoft Q&A: Have a technical product question? Find it on Microsoft Q&A – the home for technical questions and answers at Microsoft. Microsoft Tech Community: Connect and engage with fellow users and Microsoft technical experts on best practices, design architecture and the latest updates. Developer Community: Post questions, find answers and share your knowledge in the Developer Community forums. Azure Community: Get help directly from the Azure team within these select forums. Concierge Chat: Available 27/7. Chat with us for assistance finding technical documentation product information or using your subscription benefits. Chat assistance is provided in English **Important ** Please be aware that, going forward, these benefits will not be available for previous versions of Visual Studio and Visual Studio for Mac. We're thrilled to bring you these enhancements and can't wait to see the amazing things you'll achieve with them. Stay tuned for more updates and happy coding!Exciting update: New Advanced Package benefit for ISV Success participants!
We are delighted to share yet another exciting benefit for our ISV Success program participants. In our ongoing commitment to support ISVs, we are introducing a new Advanced Package Benefit that could significantly enhance your development projects. NEW – Advanced Package Benefit - $25,000 USD ISV Success participants with an Azure, Security, or Industry AI certified software designation may now be eligible for additional Azure Sponsorship, providing another $25,000 USD, totaling an impressive $50,000 USD when combined with the Expanded and Core benefits packages. This substantial sponsorship aims to help you maximize the potential of Azure and drive innovation in your projects. Determine your eligibility To find out if you qualify for this advanced benefit, please reach out to your Build and Publish Engagement Manager. They will assist you in understanding the eligibility criteria and guide you through the process of applying for this additional Azure Sponsorship. At ISV Success, we are dedicated to offering valuable resources and support to help you achieve your development goals. Don't miss out on this exceptional opportunity to enhance your productivity and bring your projects to life with the power of Azure. To learn more about the ISV Success offering, go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/isv/isv-success
Exploring Azure AI Agent Service: A developer's guide
The world of AI is evolving rapidly, and at a recent TechConnect at the Azure AI Foundry Partner Council, we explored the game-changing potential of Azure AI Agent Service. This session was packed with insights for AI developers, cloud solution architects, and technical decision-makers eager to push the boundaries of agentic AI. If you're looking to simplify development, deployment, and scaling of enterprise-grade AI agents, this service is a must-know. In this blog post, we’ll summarize key topics covered during the session and provide insights into how Azure AI Agent Service can streamline your AI development process. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting, this is an exciting opportunity to learn how AI agents can autonomously execute business processes with minimal human intervention. Introduction to AI Agents The session kicked off by defining AI agents and their capabilities. Unlike traditional chatbots, AI agents are goal-driven and can autonomously execute business processes. They can reason over provided business logic, integrate with external data sources, and orchestrate actions to achieve specific goals. This marks a significant shift from simple conversational AI to intelligent, task-driven agents capable of decision-making and execution. Simplifying Development with Azure AI Agent Service Building AI agents traditionally involve working with frameworks like LangChain and Semantic Kernel and AutoGen which require developers to manage state, context, orchestration, and scaling. Azure AI Agent Service eliminates these complexities by offering a fully managed service with: Out-of-the-box tools for faster development Flexible model selection to fit diverse use cases Enterprise readiness with built-in security and scalability This means developers can focus on business logic rather than infrastructure concerns, accelerating the development cycle significantly. Function Calling and Code Interpreter Tools One of the standouts features of Azure AI Agent Service is function calling, which allows agents to interact with external systems by executing predefined functions. The session showcased how developers can: Define and use function calling to connect AI agents to other systems Utilize the code interpreter tool to enable AI agents to generate data visualizations and perform analysis These tools empower developers to create more dynamic and responsive AI agents that can process and present insights effectively. Extending Agent Knowledge with File Search AI agents are only as good as the information they can access. Azure AI Agent Service includes a file search tool that allows agents to tap into external data sources such as product catalogs, knowledge bases, or proprietary documents. This significantly enhances an agent’s ability to answer complex queries and perform in-depth analysis. Real-Time Information with Bing Search For scenarios that require real-time, up-to-date data, the Bing Search tool is a game-changer. The session demonstrated how this tool enables agents to fetch and analyze current web data for use cases like competitive analysis, market research, and trend monitoring. With seamless Bing Search integration, AI agents can stay relevant and informed in an ever-changing world. The training session wasn’t just about concepts, it was packed with practical demonstrations, live coding examples, and troubleshooting tips. You can watch the full session to help you: Understand the core capabilities of Azure AI Agent Service See live implementation of function calling, file search, and Bing Search tools Learn best practices for deploying scalable and secure AI agents Ready to Explore Further? Don’t miss out on the chance to deep-dive into agentic AI to enhance your AI development skills and streamline agent deployment. Check out the recording of the session to take your AI projects to the next level and unlock the full potential of Azure AI Agent Service! About the Azure AI Foundry Partner Council: The Azure AI Foundry Partner Council is a dynamic and collaborative initiative designed to foster innovation and drive advancements in artificial intelligence. This council brings together a diverse group of industry leaders, technology experts, and strategic partners who are committed to leveraging the power of Azure AI to solve complex business challenges. Through the Azure AI Foundry Partner Council, members are empowered to push the boundaries of what is possible with AI, ultimately driving progress and delivering value to their organizations and customers. Call to Action Learn more about how Azure AI Agent Service: Revolutionizing AI Agent Development and Deployment Start trying Azure AI Agent services in Azure AI Foundry or Start building with the SDK documentation Dive deep into enterprise knowledge extensibility in Azure AI Agent Service Learn how to design, customize and manage AI applications with Azure AI Foundry Learn how to empower data-driven decision making with Microsoft Fabric Watch this recorded breakout session from Ignite 2024 to learn more about how companies are automating key business processes with Azure AI Agent Service Watch this live demo at Ignite 2024 to learn how customers are going beyond chat-based interactions Nominate to join the Azure AI Foundry Council via aipartnerteam@microsoft.comBuilding your first AI Agent with Azure AI Agent Service
AI agents are transforming the way developers create intelligent AI applications, and Azure AI Agent Service is leading the charge. At a recent hands-on workshop at the Azure AI Foundry Partner Council, we explored how to build an agent application using Azure AI Agent Service, leveraging its powerful tools and SDKs to simplify AI development. Whether you're an experienced developer or just starting, this blog provides key insights into streamlining AI agent creation and integrating with enterprise systems. In this blog post, we’ll summarize the key topics covered during the workshop and highlight how Azure AI Agent Service empowers developers to create scalable, intelligent agents with minimal complexity. Introduction to Azure AI Agent Service The workshop kicked off with an overview of Azure AI Agent Service, explaining how it enables developers to create goal-driven AI agents with advanced reasoning and execution capabilities. Unlike simple chatbots, these agents can integrate with external data sources, automate workflows, and execute complex business processes autonomously. Creating Your First AI Agent Developers were guided through the step-by-step process of building an AI agent using Python and the Azure AI Agent Service SDK. Key concepts covered included: Setting up the development environment Defining tools for the agent Managing conversations with threads Using system prompts to guide AI behavior Function Calling and SQL Queries One of the most exciting demonstrations involved function calling, where AI agents interact with external systems. The session showcased how agents can: Generate and execute SQL queries Retrieve, analyze, and manipulate real-time data Seamlessly integrate with databases for enterprise applications Code Interpreter for Data Visualization To enhance user interactions, the workshop highlighted the code interpreter tool, allowing AI agents to: Write and execute Python code Generate visual representations like pie charts Process CSV files for advanced data analysis Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) Developers were introduced to Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), a technique that improves AI responses by leveraging external documents. The session covered: Setting up a simple vector store Using file search to provide context-aware responses This technique is valuable for applications where AI agents need to reference structured data to provide accurate, informed answers. Bing Grounding for Competitive Insights A standout feature discussed was Bing Search grounding, which enables AI agents to: Retrieve up-to-date web data Perform competitive product analysis Deliver real-time business insights By integrating Bing Search, AI agents can stay informed with the latest industry trends, making them highly relevant in business environments. About the Azure AI Foundry Partner Council: The Azure AI Foundry Partner Council is a dynamic and collaborative initiative designed to foster innovation and drive advancements in artificial intelligence. This council brings together a diverse group of industry leaders, technology experts, and strategic partners who are committed to leveraging the power of Azure AI to solve complex business challenges. Through the Azure AI Foundry Partner Council, members are empowered to push the boundaries of what is possible with AI, ultimately driving progress and delivering value to their organizations and customers. Call to Action and Resources Leverage this GitHub Repo with Presenter and Proctor Resources Azure AI Agent Service Documentation Fundamentals of AI Agents on Azure Introducing Azure AI Agent Service Blog Post Python Library Workshop Repository Export and Import Agents using Solutions How to use Grounding with Bing Search in Azure AI Agent Service Sample Code for Custom Functions If you’re looking to take your AI development skills to the next level, don’t miss this opportunity. Watch the recording today and start building intelligent AI agents with Azure AI Agent Service!Building secure multi-tenant applications with Microsoft Entra ID: A guide for ISVs
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) face the significant challenge of developing secure, multi-tenant applications that seamlessly integrate with their customers' existing infrastructure. Microsoft Entra ID offers a robust solution for managing user identities, providing ISVs with tools to enhance security and streamline the user authentication process. In this blog post, we'll explore key security strategies for ISVs and provide additional resources to help you get started. Context As the demand for SaaS applications grows, ISVs must ensure their applications are not only functional but also secure. Multi-tenant applications, which serve multiple customers from a single instance, present unique security challenges. One of the primary concerns is managing user identities securely across different tenants. Microsoft Entra ID addresses these challenges by offering a comprehensive identity management platform that simplifies authentication and authorization while enhancing security. Figure 1 – Single Sign On for seamless user experience Key Security Strategies for ISVs Utilize Microsoft Entra ID for Identity Management Microsoft Entra ID provides a secure, scalable identity management solution that handles user authentication, authorization, and access management. By leveraging Entra ID, ISVs can avoid the complexities and risks associated with building their own identity systems. Adopt Standard Protocols A well-maintained library like MSAL should be the first choice instead of implementing a protocol. Microsoft Entra ID supports industry-standard protocols like OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, and SAML, which facilitate secure authentication and authorization. As the last and most expensive choice, ISVs can implement a protocol but must ensure they stay up to date with the protocol. Design for Data Separation In a multi-tenant environment, it is crucial to maintain data separation between tenants to prevent unauthorized access. ISVs should implement robust authorization models and leverage Entra ID's capabilities to ensure data integrity and confidentiality. Become a Verified App Publisher To build trust with customers, ISVs can become verified app publishers. This process involves joining the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program and undergoing a vetting process, assuring customers of the application's authenticity and security. Take action: Set up your multitenant identity today For ISVs looking to deepen their understanding of Microsoft Entra ID and its capabilities, here are some valuable resources: Microsoft Entra ID Documentation – Explore comprehensive guides and tutorials on implementing Entra ID in your applications. Microsoft Identity Platform Developer Guide – Learn how to integrate authentication and authorization into applications. aka.ms/UpcomingIDLOBDev - Curated content for Microsoft Identity platform training workshops By adopting these strategies and utilizing the resources provided, ISVs can build secure, scalable, and efficient multi-tenant applications that meet the growing demands of their customers. Embracing Microsoft Entra ID not only enhances security but also simplifies the development process, allowing ISVs to focus on delivering innovative solutions. Want to learn more: 📅 Join our ISV Security sessions to stay updated on the latest best practices 🔗 Subscribe to Azure Security Updates for continuous learning 📞 Connect with your Microsoft account representative for tailored security guidance Let’s work together to build a more secure digital future. 🚀
