Microsoft 365 Copilot Business – AI with Governance Grip

Introduction: AI for SMEs – But with policy

As of December 1, Microsoft 365 Copilot Business is officially available for SMB¹. For just $21 per user per month, businesses of up to 300 users get access to the same powerful AI functionality as Enterprise customers.

But where many organizations focus on the opportunities of AI, they forget the most important thing: governance. Because without policies, Copilot becomes a risk rather than a help.

In this blog, you’ll read about what Copilot offers, what risks you need to manage and how ALTA-ICT helps organizations with a secure, AVG-compliant implementation.

Security Awareness – Behavior as Fundamentals

What is Copilot Business and why is it relevant?

Microsoft 365 Copilot Business integrates AI directly into the tools you already use every day:

AI in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Teams
Automatic reports, email replies and summaries
Fully integrated into Business Basic, Standard and Premium
No additional setup – follows existing permissions and policies

For SMBs, this means immediate productivity gains. But AI also introduces new risks: from incorrect mail responses to data breaches.

Introducing Microsoft 365 Copilot Business

How do you implement Copilot securely in your SME?

Step 1: Analysis and preparation

Which teams will have access to Copilot?
What data types should be excluded (HR, Finance)?
Are existing M365 policies in place?

Step 2: Setting up governance

Prompt control at the team/function level
AI logging in Microsoft Purview
Zero trust: access only on “need-to-know”

Step 3: Awareness and training

User training on AI accountability
Communication guidelines for Copilot responses
Explain risks of improperly generated data

Step 4: Monitoring and optimization

Periodic review on AI logs
Track updates to Microsoft governance models
Continuous alignment with AVG and NEN7510

Common risks without governance

Copilot generates sensitive info in Teams chats
Excel analyses on confidential data sets without validation
Access to documents in personal OneDrive
Inappropriate or incorrect email responses

For sectors such as healthcare, finance or government, this is extra risky – think NEN7510 and BIO compliance.

The ROI of AI with governance

With good governance, Copilot delivers demonstrable benefits:

20-30% time savings on documentation and communication
Fewer errors thanks to AI validation
Safer data use according to AVG and industry requirements
More control over who sees or generates what

Without governance, the risk of data breaches, compliance violations or reputational damage is simply too great.

ALTA-ICT approach: safely deploying AI

At ALTA-ICT, we help organizations implement Microsoft Copilot securely and effectively:

✅ ISO27001/NEN7510 governance model
✅ M365 rights analysis and data classification
✅ Microsoft Purview logging + AI control integration
✅ Custom Awareness training for Dutch teams

We make sure your AI strategy does not become a risk, but a competitive advantage.

FAQ

1. Do I need Microsoft 365 Business Premium for Copilot?
No, Copilot also works with Business Standard and Basic.

2. Is Copilot available in Dutch?
Yes, language support is available for Dutch input and output.

3. How do I limit access to sensitive data?
Through DLP policies, role-based access and Copilot governance controls.

4. Can I log AI actions?
Yes, through Microsoft Purview you can audit AI interactions.

5. Is this AVG-proof?
With proper governance, logging and data selection: yes.

Conclusion

Microsoft 365 Copilot Business offers huge opportunities – provided you implement it properly. Without policies, AI is a liability. With governance, it becomes an accelerant.

💡 Want to know how your organization deploys Copilot safely?
📞 Book a free consultation with an ALTA ICT expert