Hi Copilot, can you share the payslips of the CEO at my company?
Before enabling Microsoft 365 Copilot, ask yourself: what happens if someone types “show me the CEO’s payslips”?
Copilot only reveals what users already have access to, which makes identity hygiene and access control critical. Here’s how to get it right before rollout.
In this article, we’ll explain how you can securely deploy Copilot by getting your IAM in order first.
What is Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft describes Microsoft 365 Copilot as an AI-powered assistant built directly into the apps you use every day. It helps users work faster and smarter by generating content, analysing data, and summarising information, based on the data they already have access to.
Copilot is integrated into Microsoft 365 apps like:
- Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Outlook
- Teams
- and more
When a user types a prompt, Copilot uses Microsoft Graph to understand the context—pulling from emails, documents, chats, meetings, and other data the user is authorised to see. It then delivers helpful, real-time responses.
👉 Read the full Microsoft explanation here:What is Copilot?
Why Access Control before Implementing Copilot?
Before rolling out Microsoft Copilot, it's critical to get your access controls in order. Why? Because identity hygiene matters.
Without clear, well-managed permissions, Copilot could unintentionally surface sensitive information—like payroll data, legal contracts, or HR files—to users who shouldn't have access. AI respects existing permissions, so weak IAM = risky AI.
To prepare, focus on essential identity security controls such as:
- Removing orphaned accounts
- Limiting privilege escalation
- Detecting access accumulation
- Enforcing segregation of duties (SoD)
- Monitoring business-critical roles
👉Identity Security Controls for NIS2 & Beyond
How to Start Securely with AI and Copilot?
Launching Copilot without reviewing your access controls is like giving AI a master key to your digital workplace. To reduce risk and stay in control from day one, follow these identity security best practices:
- Map who has access to what Start with visibility: consolidate accounts and permissions across Microsoft 365 (SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, etc.)
- Remove unused or orphaned accounts Former employees, test users, or legacy roles still hanging around? Remove them to avoid unintended AI access.
- Enforce least privilege Ensure users only have access to the data and apps they need—no more, no less.
- Identify overprivileged users Use tools to detect users with excessive or admin-level access and reduce where possible.
- Implement Segregation of Duties (SoD) Make sure no single user has conflicting roles (e.g., someone who can both request and approve payments).
- Set up monitoring & access reviews Regularly review and validate access with team leads and app owners—especially as Copilot starts surfacing data across tools.
For a deeper dive into these controls, check out Elimity’s security framework:
👉Identity Security Controls & KPIs
Webinar - The 6 Steps You Have to Do Before Implementing Microsoft Copilot
Rolling out Microsoft 365 Copilot? You’ll need more than just licenses.
Identity risks likeoverexposed permissions,orphaned accounts, andweak access governancecan delay or even derail your deployment.
Elimity andCISO Mike Den Buurmanshow you how to prepare your organization for Copilot — with a lightweight, fast-track approach to IAM.
✅ Why40%of Copilot rollouts aredelayed(and how to avoid it) ✅6 essential IAM stepsto secure your Copilot deployment ✅ How to get actionable access insightsin just 1 day
Book Your Copilot Access Review
Preparing for Microsoft Copilot doesn’t have to mean complex IAM projects or weeks of auditing.
Our lightweight platform connects out-of-the-box with Microsoft Entra ID and SharePoint, giving you instant visibility into who has access to what, and where the risks are.
👉Learn more about Elimity’s approach orbook your Copilot access review
