Microsoft Copilot empowers businesses to achieve more with less, driving growth and competitiveness in today’s fast-paced market. However, while implementing Copilot is an exciting step for any organization, it’s important to understand that readiness isn’t a destination—it’s an ongoing process.

Copilot readiness requires setting up a 3-step framework that allows your business to leverage its benefits while maintaining security and operational efficiency:

1. Continuous maintenance
2. Regular updates
3. Routine compliance checks

Ensuring Copilot functions as it should calls for careful data management:

• Data governance – Who has access to which data, and why? Establishing clear governance policies prevents unauthorized access and ensures data is used appropriately.
• Data orchestration – Where does your organization’s data currently reside? Is it easily accessible to Copilot? You might need to set up data flows to coordinate information from various sources to ensure seamless integration.
• Data estate modernization – Older, legacy datasets containing valuable information must be upgraded by cloud migration or integration with advanced systems like Dynamics 365.

Strengthening Security: Identity and Access Management

Identity and access management ensures that only authorized users can access sensitive data, something that’s critical to maintaining security. Cloud distribution platform PAX8 has collaborated with cybersecurity experts to identify a set of CIS controls to serve as a baseline for securing systems, including CIS 1-6, CIS 7-6, and CIS 17-20, which collectively help:

• Assign appropriate user access levels
• Ensure users receive regular training to stay updated on best practices
• Maintain ongoing security measures

Users handling highly sensitive data should implement advanced security measures such as risk-based conditional access policies, single sign-on (SSO), privileged identity management, and automated responses to risky logins. These tools help lock down access as much as possible, securing sensitive information and ensuring only authorized individuals can interact with critical data.

Creating a Strategic Copilot Readiness Plan

Strategic planning gets Copilot up and running and ensures it’s done securely and in a controlled manner. Mapping out a readiness plan identifies specific business outcomes your organization can achieve with Copilot.

For instance, your aim might be to reduce sales team administrative overhead by 25% within six months of Copilot implementation. Or perhaps you want to use automation and AI-powered assistance to improve customer service response times by 30% within three months.

Once you’ve defined your goals, it’s time to identify the primary users and systems involved, such as Microsoft 365 and Salesforce CRM, then implement a step-by-step approach that includes:

1. Defining business outcomes – Determine what you hope to achieve with Copilot, such as increased efficiency or reduced overhead.
2. Identifying primary users and systems – Pinpoint who will use Copilot and which systems they interact with, like CRM software or internal databases.
3. Assessing data sources and permissions – Understand what data sources are required for Copilot to function and the permissions needed to access them.
4. Evaluating data integration requirements – Identify additional data sources that need to be integrated, such as connecting Salesforce data to Copilot.
5. Planning for user interaction – Determine how users will interact with Copilot and data, ensuring all necessary permissions are in place.

Licensing and Security: Choosing the Right Protection

A critical part of any Copilot readiness plan is selecting the best licensing. Business Premium, M365 E3, or M365 E5 licenses are recommended because they provide the necessary identity, endpoint, and data protection essential for maintaining security. The M365 E5 license offers the highest level of security and is ideal for users with access to the most sensitive data. The Business Premium, or M365 E3 licenses will suffice for other users, depending on your organization’s size and specific needs. Contact us today to learn more.