Microsoft Copilot is still relatively new technology. Therefore, users are likely experiencing some uncertainty in using or adopting it. With this uncertainty comes the risk of oversharing – the unintentional or inappropriate sharing of sensitive or confidential information within an organization. Internal oversharing concerns are normal, and Microsoft has a deployment blueprint to address these concerns.  

When Does Internal Oversharing Happen? 

Oversharing happens when users share documents, emails, or other data with individuals who should not have access to it, either within or outside the organization. 

This can lead to various risks, like data breaches, loss of intellectual property, and compliance issues. The Microsoft Copilot blueprint provides strategies and tools to help organizations identify, manage, and prevent oversharing and maintain their data security and governance. 

The Blueprint for Preventing Internal Oversharing 

Microsoft’s blueprint for preventing oversharing uses a structured approach to address internal oversharing concerns during your Copilot deployment. The blueprint consists of three phases: Pilot (optional), Deploy, and Operate. 

1. Pilot: This optional phase tests the deployment on a smaller scale before a full rollout. It helps identify potential issues and gather feedback to refine the deployment strategy. You can use this phase to ensure the tools and policies in place can actually stop oversharing. 

2. Deploy: As the name suggests, this phase involves the full-scale implementation of the Copilot deployment. This phase will get the necessary tools and configurations set up in the SharePoint Admin Center, SharePoint Advanced Management (SAM), and Microsoft Purview. Here, the focus is on applying sensitivity labels, access controls, and data loss prevention (DLP) policies to manage and mitigate oversharing risks. 

3. Operate: In the final phase, the deployment is monitored and managed on an ongoing basis. Regular audits, monitoring, and user training ensures compliance and effectiveness over time. This phase will help with data security and governance through continuous updates and improvements.  

What Does the Internal Oversharing Blueprint Provide? 

The blueprint provides the following: 

• An overview of the most common causes of internal oversharing in Microsoft SharePoint.  

• A recommended, staged approach to avoid oversharing in a Microsoft 365 Copilot deployment 

• Recommended actions specific to E3 or E5 licenses at each stage 

• Detailed guidance for using the tools in the SharePoint Admin Center, SharePoint Advanced Management (SAM), and Microsoft Purview to identify and mitigate oversharing and ongoing governance concerns. 

Conclusion  

When deploying Copilot for your organization, internal oversharing should be a concern. Protecting your data is essential. Microsoft is actively taking steps to ensure your data is protected when you are deploying Copilot. You can download the blueprint on this page Microsoft 365 Copilot blueprint for oversharing | Microsoft Learn.  

If you are looking for assistance when it comes to internal oversharing, get in touch by filling out the form at the bottom of this page. If you have another project in mind, we are happy to help.  

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