INTRODUCTION TO MICROSOFT Copilot for Security

Recognizing the increasing complexity of the human-run aspect of cybersecurity and the escalating frequency of threats, Microsoft steps up to the plate with the announcement of Microsoft Copilot for Security in February of 2024 (launch date is April 1st, 2024).

It is important to note that Microsoft Copilot for Security should not be confused with Copilot for Microsoft 365. While the latter is an integration of the Copilot AI assistant into Microsoft's 365 productivity software family, Microsoft Copilot for Security is an integration that uses threat intelligence to assist with security purposes. It emphasizes a shared responsibility in navigating the challenges of your organization’s security. 

The launch of Microsoft Copilot for Security marks an exciting development in cybersecurity preparedness and speed of remediation. 

So what does Microsoft Copilot for Security mean for organizations? What are the benefits it brings to the table? And why is this a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against cyber threats?

 

Use Cases of Copilot: Elevate Security Teams

Human + Machine: How Copilot reduces our time spent but does NOT replace us

The notion of a "marriage between man and machine" is not just a catchy phrase; it is a guiding principle, especially evident in the development of Microsoft Copilot for Security. 

Imagine having a trusty sidekick, or copilot, that brings decades of Microsoft's wisdom about your organizational context and threats right to your fingertips, providing contextual information and significantly reducing the time required to contain malicious activities.

Microsoft Copilot for Security helps analysts by doing regular and time-consuming tasks for them. This lets the analysts spend more time on more important decision-making. These are things that AI cannot do yet.

 

Training: Copilot takes natural language and learns how to perform complex operations 

Copilot uses a large language model, or LLM, to harness natural language to acquire the capability to execute intricate operations. Each user possesses the ability to train their own Copilot. Its current usage primarily revolves around automating and streamlining manual tasks, reducing the burden on your team.

The goal for the development of Microsoft Copilot for Security is to elevate junior analysts. An integration such as Copilot can provide data clarity and efficiency, particularly in data aggregation for alerting. However, the real value is empowering human analysts to evaluate and take remediation actions based on a holistic understanding of the business and its intricacies.

 

Microsoft Copilot for Security Example: Using Copilot in Incident Response (IR)

Microsoft Copilot for Security shines in real-world scenarios, particularly in today's incident response landscape. 

Let's take a closer look at how Copilot seamlessly integrates incident response activities, pulling data from other Microsoft products like Sentinel, Defender Threat Intelligence, and more to eliminate the need for laborious data hunting.

Taking a Closer look at Copilot for Security

In the midst of an incident, you, the analyst, can rely on Copilot to do the heavy lifting. No more sifting through data to find what you need or an inconsistency. By asking Copilot, “Can you summarize sentinel incident case ##### contained in workspace ________?” analysts can leverage all of the relevant insights gathered from Sentinel pulled by Copilot, providing a comprehensive understanding of the incident, all while saving you precious time.

As you navigate the incident, the utilization of Defender Threat Intelligence becomes a game-changer. When faced with an unfamiliar IP address, Copilot swiftly taps into Defender Threat Intelligence, offering not only the reputation of the IP but also detailed reasons for its malicious classification. This powerful combination of data from multiple sources ensures that your analysis is thorough and contextually rich.

As the investigation progresses, Copilot excels in helping you understand the blast radius of an incident, ensuring that no potential threats are left unexplored. By asking, "Can you hunt across Defender 365 and see if this user and all their emails are associated with any other alerts?" Copilot provides a broader perspective, identifying connections that might have been overlooked.

Source: Microsoft Security Copilot Demo – Defend at Machine Speed

As seen in the example above, the collaborative nature of Copilot and its integration into the incident response workflow underscore its role as a supportive partner, working hand-in-hand with analysts to strengthen and streamline cybersecurity efforts.

 

Copilot Does Not Replace Humans: Limitations of AI in Cybersecurity

While AI can identify patterns and process vast amounts of data, it lacks the nuanced discernment inherent in human decision-making. The human touch adds a layer of understanding that is challenging for AI to replicate. That is why it is crucial to limit the authority granted to AI for making any important decisions or taking action.

For example, if the AI is trained to shut down a server upon detecting a vulnerability, it may act without taking into account other factors that only a human would know. Maybe the specific server in question started running a new program just two hours prior. And if the server were to be shut down right then and there, it could be very detrimental to the company. 

AI lacks operational context. That is why we still need humans to make the final decisions (and likely, always will). To avoid a 'Terminator'-like scenario, it is crucial to limit the authority granted to AI for making any important actions.

As Microsoft Copilot for Security prepares to launch, this perspective becomes paramount, setting the tone for a harmonious collaboration between human expertise and AI-driven efficiency.

Featured Blog: Explore Positive Applications and Potential Risks of AI in Cybersecurity

 

 

Use Cases of Copilot: Elevate Security Tools

How Microsoft Copilot for Security Can Be Integrated with Numerous Microsoft Products 

Microsoft Copilot for Security is not an isolated technology; it seamlessly integrates with a variety of Microsoft products to fortify your overall cybersecurity infrastructure. Here's a glimpse of how Copilot can be integrated into various Microsoft tools:

  • Microsoft Sentinel: Collect security data and correlate alerts from virtually any source with intelligent security analytics.
  • Microsoft Defender XDR: Prevent and detect cross-domain cyberattacks at the speed of AI. Copilot for Security is now embedded in Microsoft Defender XDR for early-access customers.
  • Microsoft Intune: Mitigate cyber threats to devices, protect data, and improve compliance across clouds—now embedded with Copilot for Security for early access customers.
  • Microsoft Defender Threat Intelligence: Understand cyber threats and expose suspicious infrastructure with dynamic threat intelligence, now included in Copilot for Security at no additional cost.
  • Microsoft Entra: Protect any identity and secure access to any resource with one family of solutions—now embedded with Copilot for Security for early access customers.
  • Microsoft Purview: Explore governance, protection, and compliance solutions for your data. Now embedded with Copilot for Security for early access customers.
  • Microsoft Defender External Attack Surface Management: See your rapidly changing, global external cyberattack surface in real-time.
  • Microsoft Defender for Cloud: Fortify your security posture, protect workloads, and develop more secure applications—now embedded with Copilot for Security for early-access customers.

Source: Microsoft

Featured Blog: Why Partnering with an MSSP is Crucial for Microsoft Intune Success

News: How Gartner's 2024 Cybersecurity Trends Can Guide Your Cyber Efforts

 

 

How to Prepare for The Microsoft Copilot for Security Launch

When we think about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the context of cybersecurity, the question naturally arises: Where and how should we deploy this powerful tool? The answer isn’t exactly straightforward. It is a delicate dance, finding the right balance between harnessing the capabilities of AI and preserving the unique strengths of human intuition. The key is to crawl before you walk, and walk before you run.

Now that we are gearing up for the Microsoft Copilot for Security launch, it is time to lay the groundwork for a smooth transition and effective utilization. Using Avertium’s Assess-Design-Protect approach, here are key steps to ensure you are ready:

  • ASSESS – Get a clear picture of your current state. Evaluate and perform assessments to understand how Copilot aligns with your organization’s existing processes and systems. And before fully embracing Copilot, engage in thorough penetration testing. This step is essential to identify potential vulnerabilities and assess how well Copilot aligns with your security needs. By simulating real-world scenarios, you can ensure that Copilot enhances your defense mechanisms without compromising security.
  • DESIGN – Prioritize and optimize your security architecture. Copilot brings forth an opportunity to enhance efficiency while laying the foundation for a robust, long-term security infrastructure that can seamlessly scale with your evolving cybersecurity needs. Tailor the integration of Copilot to the specific needs of your organization, ensuring a strategic alignment with your security goals. 
  • PROTECT – Fuse together your cybersecurity operations for continuous improvement and proactive protection. Rely on a trusted partner such as Avertium who has the full knowledge of your organization and expertise with Microsoft products to maximize your Copilot integration into your organization’s cybersecurity workflow. This collaborative approach ensures a successful integration and a unified defense against evolving threats.

The key here is collaboration – tailor Copilot implementation to your specific needs, validate its effectiveness through rigorous testing, and leverage the expertise of reliable partners. This proactive approach will ensure a successful integration of Microsoft Copilot for Security into your cybersecurity arsenal.

Bottom line? Copilot will likely become an integral part of your cybersecurity ecosystem, enhancing the capabilities of each tool while providing a unified and comprehensive defense against evolving threats. As we explore these integrations, it becomes clear that Microsoft Copilot for Security isn't just a standalone solution but a force multiplier within the broader Microsoft security suite. 

 

 

microsoft solutions partner security specialist         Modern Work

 

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