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Applications and Data Security / 20-25% of exam

L15.Microsoft 365 & Copilot Security Architecture

Course outlineLesson 15 of 18

Evaluate Microsoft 365 security across identity, devices, collaboration, apps, data, audit, and Copilot so existing oversharing is not amplified by AI experiences.

Evaluate the tenant as a system

Microsoft 365 security spans identity, endpoints, email, collaboration, SaaS applications, data, audit, and administration. Use Microsoft Secure Score as one posture signal, then validate recommendations against business requirements and actual attack paths.

Combine protection capabilities

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 protects email and collaboration workloads. Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps adds SaaS discovery, governance, and session controls in supported scenarios. Microsoft Intune manages device compliance and configuration. Conditional Access connects identity and device signals to access decisions.

Govern data with Purview

Use discovery, classification, sensitivity labels, data loss prevention, retention, insider-risk processes, and audit according to the organization's requirements. Governance needs clear ownership and a process for false positives and exceptions.

Secure Copilot for Microsoft 365

Copilot works within the user's existing permissions, so excessive access and oversharing become more discoverable. Review site and file permissions, external sharing, labels, DLP, app consent, plugin or agent access, and audit. Protect prompts and generated content according to their data sensitivity. Architecture priority: Fix identity and data-access hygiene before treating an AI interface as a separate security island.

Exam Focus Points
  • Secure Score is a posture signal, not a complete risk decision
  • Defender for Office 365, Defender for Cloud Apps, and Intune cover different control areas
  • Purview supports classification, protection, retention, risk, and audit capabilities
  • Copilot can surface data users already have permission to access, including overshared data
Knowledge Check

1. What should be the first architectural priority before broad Copilot for Microsoft 365 rollout?