One of the recent studies shows that small businesses account for over 43% of cyberattacks. This study also revealed that small businesses spend an average of $25,000 to deal with the consequences of these attacks. To avoid being the next victim, it is crucial to put in place the right security solutions for your small business.

With the power of AI tools like Microsoft Security Copilot, small businesses don’t have to invest heavily in hiring many cybersecurity experts to help them build their security defenses. Microsoft Security Copilot can perform the work that would initially require several cybersecurity professionals, helping to save costs without compromising the security of your digital infrastructure.

To help you get started, this article will walk you through the core features of Copilot Security and how you can leverage them to enhance your security. But first, let’s explore the basics of Microsoft Security Copilot for those who might not be familiar with this security tool.

What is Microsoft Security Copilot and How Does it Work

Microsoft Security Copilot is a generative AI security tool that uses the power of machine learning to assist businesses in understanding and quickly addressing security threats. It seamlessly integrates with various Microsoft security solutions like Defender XDR, Microsoft Sentinel, and Intune and uses natural language processing to understand and respond to security queries effectively. 

The underlying technologies that power Microsoft Security Copilot are OpenAI’s GPT4 and Microsoft’s Security Model which has been built based on Microsoft’s decades of experience in building security solutions. Copilot can analyze vast amounts of security data from connected plugins, providing users with relevant insights into security incidents, user activities, and device compliance. 

Since Copilot is prompt-based just like ChatGPT, it allows users to engage with it using simple natural language prompts. These interactions facilitate quick and intuitive communication for security inquiries and actions. With augmented security skills and fine-tuning based on Microsoft’s extensive cybersecurity expertise, Security Copilot offers accurate and insightful responses grounded in real-time threat intelligence. 

Core Features of Microsoft Security Copilot

• Generative AI Insights: Security Copilot uses generative AI to provide tailored insights. It processes 65 trillion daily signals to summarize huge amounts of security data into key insights. These insights help cut through the noise, detect cyber threats faster, and strengthen your security posture.
• Natural Language Interaction: You can ask questions in natural language to Security Copilot and it responds with actionable guidance. This can come in handy when handling complex and time-consuming operations such as vulnerability assessments, investigating incidents, or handling identity and data protection.
• Integration with Microsoft Products: Security Copilot integrates with various Microsoft security products, including Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender XDR, Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Defender Threat Intelligence, and Microsoft Entra. 
• Responsible AI Principles: While delivering powerful capabilities, Microsoft ensures that Security Copilot remains compliant with responsible AI principles.

How Small Businesses Can Leverage the Power of Microsoft Security Copilot 

These are some of the ways small businesses use Microsoft Security Copilot to enhance their security posture:

1.     Security Operations

Small businesses can use Security Copilot to effectively manage vulnerabilities and emerging cyber threats. It offers guided investigations, enabling users to systematically explore security incidents and take appropriate actions. For instance, businesses can initiate guided investigations to analyze suspicious activities or potential breaches by leveraging the platform’s script analysis and query assistance. 

2.     Device Management

Security Copilot can also be used to enhance device management, allowing businesses to enforce security policies, gather device information for forensics, and configure devices with best practices. Users can use this tool to generate and enforce security policies for endpoint devices, simulate potential policy outcomes to evaluate effectiveness and gather device information for forensic analysis in the event of a security incident. 

3.     Identity Management

Security Copilot can assist businesses in managing user identities and access privileges effectively. Businesses can use the platform to identify and mitigate overprivileged access rights and conduct access reviews to ensure compliance with security policies. Copilot can also be used to generate access policies to enforce least privilege principles. 

4.     Data Protection and Compliance

Copilot aids in assessing the impact of security incidents on data by identifying the specific data affected and providing crucial insights into the extent of potential breaches. It can also be used to conduct detailed analysis of documents within the context of security incidents and compliance. Copilot can also be used to explore risk surfaces in detail, detecting and highlighting areas susceptible to collusion, fraud, and sabotage. 

5.     Learning how to use Microsoft security tools

Both junior and senior security professionals can use Copilot to learn more about how best to leverage security tools in the Microsoft ecosystem to execute various security tasks. For instance, when you have questions about specific security tools, you can ask Security Copilot in natural language. It will provide you with actionable responses, guiding you through various scenarios. Whether you’re managing vulnerabilities, investigating incidents, or configuring devices, Security Copilot offers step-by-step guidance and the tools you can use to dig deeper.

Final Thoughts

Integrating Microsoft Security Copilot into your business’s security ecosystem can be a game-changer, especially if you don’t have a large security or IT team. This AI-powered solution leverages machine learning and natural language processing to analyze data, answer complex security queries, and offer actionable insights much quicker than any other traditional tools. 

Its ability to analyze situations and answer complex security questions can significantly reduce the time and resources required when handling various security operations. However, getting the best from this tool requires teams to know how to use it effectively. 

For instance, the prompts used should include as much information as possible to improve its accuracy. Copilot will also be more reliable if used alongside other Microsoft security tools and third plug-ins because it utilizes data from these tools to offer more effective and personalized solutions.