Category: Microsoft 365

CIAOPS Need to Know Microsoft 365 Webinar – February

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Now in our tenth year!

Join me for the free monthly CIAOPS Need to Know webinar. Along with all the Microsoft Cloud news we’ll be taking a look at the new Baseline Security Mode.

Shortly after registering you should receive an automated email from Microsoft Teams confirming your registration, including all the event details as well as a calendar invite.

You can register for the regular monthly webinar here:

February Registrations

(If you are having issues with the above link copy and paste – https://bit.ly/n2k2602 )

The details are:

CIAOPS Need to Know Webinar – February 2026
Friday 20th of February 2026
11.00am – 12.00am Sydney Time

All sessions are recorded and posted to the CIAOPS Youtube channel.

Also feel free at any stage to email me directly via director@ciaops.com with your webinar topic suggestions.

I’d also appreciate you sharing information about this webinar with anyone you feel may benefit from the session and I look forward to seeing you there.

CIAOPS AI Dojo 009

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What’s the session about?

This month we will be focusing on new Copilot features and updates as well as optimising AI for Small Business.

Who should attend?

This session is perfect for:

  • IT administrators and support staff
  • Business owners
  • People looking to get more done with Microsoft 365
  • Anyone looking to automate their daily grind

Save the Date

Date: Friday the 20th of February 2026

Time: 9:30 AM Sydney AU time

Location: Online (link will be provided upon registration)

Cost: $80 per attendee (free for Dojo subscribers)

Register Now

New publication–Monitoring and Reporting Microsoft Copilot Usage

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https://directorcia.gumroad.com/l/monrepcop

Unlock the Power of Microsoft Copilot: The Ultimate Monitoring & Reporting Guide for SMBs

Are you a Managed Service Provider (MSP) or IT professional seeking to maximize your Microsoft Copilot investment for small-to-medium business tenants?

Discover the definitive resource: Copilot Monitoring and Reporting for SMB Tenants.

Why This Guide Is a Must-Have

  • Step-by-Step Mastery: Learn exactly how to monitor, track, and report on Copilot usage with clear, actionable instructions—no guesswork, just results.

  • Role-Based Security: Implement best practices for administrative roles, ensuring secure and compliant access to Copilot data.

  • License Optimization: Use readiness reports and user activity analytics to assign, reclaim, and optimize Copilot licenses for maximum ROI.

  • Adoption Insights: Leverage AI Adoption Score and advanced metrics to drive digital transformation and boost user engagement.

  • Comprehensive Reporting: Export usage data, build custom dashboards in Power BI, and harness Viva Insights for executive-level analytics.

  • Security & Compliance: Enforce MFA, apply conditional access, and utilize Purview Audit Logs to safeguard sensitive information.

  • Proven MSP Workflows: Follow weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual checklists to maintain peak Copilot performance and compliance.

What You’ll Achieve

  • Accelerate Copilot Adoption: Identify high-value users, deploy licenses strategically, and monitor real-time usage trends.

  • Transform Data into Decisions: Analyze prompts, agent usage, and app-specific metrics to inform training and business outcomes.

  • Stay Ahead of Risks: Proactively manage security, compliance, and governance with expert-recommended best practices.

  • Drive Business Value: Correlate Copilot usage with ROI, streamline reporting, and empower stakeholders with actionable insights.

Who Should Buy This Guide?

  • MSPs supporting Microsoft 365 tenants

  • IT administrators and consultants

  • Business leaders driving AI adoption

  • Anyone responsible for Copilot deployment, monitoring, or reporting

Don’t miss out on the essential guide trusted by professionals to unlock the full potential of Microsoft Copilot.
Purchase your copy today and transform how you manage, monitor, and report Copilot usage for your organization!

Now included with MSP AI Playbook bundle – https://directorcia.gumroad.com/l/mspaipb

See all the titles available at – https://directorcia.gumroad.com/

PowerShell script to extract Exchange Online data for your own AI analysis

A while ago I wrote a script that reads Microsoft 365 security information and exports it to a JSON data file. The idea is that you can take this data file and use it with your AI of choice. I have now developed a similar script but for Exchange Online information.

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When you run the script it will connect to Exchange online and extract the information from a variety of locations

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It will produce 2 output JSON files in the parent directory. The standard data file can be quite large, in the case above it is around 15MB. The other file produced is more ‘compact’ around 100 – 200KB

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You can then take either of these JSON files and feed them into you AI system of choice. The above shows you the result when I fed it into Copilot Researcher.,

Screenshot 2026-02-01 214046

and I even got a nice Word document when I fed it into Claude online.

You can download the script here:

https://github.com/directorcia/Office365/blob/master/Analysis/Exchange/exo-extract.ps1

and find the documentation here:

https://github.com/directorcia/Office365/wiki/Extract-Exchange-Online-information

as well as a long prompt you can use with your Ai of choice here:

https://github.com/directorcia/Office365/blob/master/Analysis/Exchange/prompt-long.txt

Given that email systems are typically at the highest security risk, this script shoudl allow you to quickly and easily evaluate its posture as well as giving you a range of improvement suggestions.

CIA Brief 20260131

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Splitting single-tenant Microsoft Defender XDR Sentinel logs in multiple company scenarios –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/coreinfrastructureandsecurityblog/splitting-single-tenant-…

SharePoint Showcase highlights: Copilot and agents governance and security essentials for admins –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365insiderblog/sharepoint-showcase-highlights-cop…

What’s New in Microsoft 365 Copilot | January 2026 –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/what%E2%80%99s-new-in-microsoft-36…

Turning threat reports into detection insights with AI –

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2026/01/29/turning-threat-reports-detection-insights-…

Silicon to Systems: What powers Microsoft’s AI Infrastructure –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFqxwv-fiWI

Microsoft Azure Maia 200: Scott Guthrie EVP –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGecvPR2QWo

Upcoming Conditional Access change: Improved enforcement for policies with resource exclusions –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-entra-blog/upcoming-conditional-access-change-im…

Microsoft Purview | Data Security Triage Agent in DLP –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZQKnvSV3B0

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Mail Bombing and Mixed-Mode Attack Protection –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXGsQpqCWD4

The 6 pillars that will define agent readiness in 2026 –

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/blog/copilot-studio/the-6-pillars-that-will-defin…

UPDATE: New timeline for transitioning Sentinel experience to Defender portal –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoftsentinelblog/update-new-timeline-for-transitionin…

New Microsoft Data Security Index report explores secure AI adoption to protect sensitive data –

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2026/01/29/new-microsoft-data-security-index-report-e…

General availability of source specific filters in Copilot Search –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/general-availability-of-source-spe…

Trust DigiCert Global Root G2 Certificate Authority to Avoid Exchange Online Email Disruption –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/trust-digicert-global-root-g2-certificate-authori…

Voice in Microsoft 365 Copilot – Hands-Free Productivity –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeFpj-Ea3iY

Conditional Access for Agent Identities in Microsoft Entra –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/coreinfrastructureandsecurityblog/conditional-access-for-a…

More control over proofing language in OneNote on Windows –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365insiderblog/more-control-over-proofing-languag…

Agent Mode is Here: Build & Edit Spreadsheets with Copilot in Excel –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDv8B_N_V1A

Advance Your SOC Skills with the Power of Microsoft Sentinel data lake and graph –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-security-blog/advance-your-soc-skills-with-the-p…

Updated Exchange Online SMTP AUTH Basic Authentication Deprecation Timeline –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/updated-exchange-online-smtp-auth-basic-authentic…

St. Luke’s saves nearly 200 hours monthly with AI-powered Security Copilot agents –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGsZWFMsS_g

Microsoft 365 Accessibility, a year in review: Building accessible experiences with support from AI –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365insiderblog/microsoft-365-accessibility-a-year…

Accelerating Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption with Automated Readiness Assessment –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/accelerating-microsoft-365-copilot…

From runtime risk to real‑time defense: Securing AI agents –

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2026/01/23/runtime-risk-realtime-defense-securing-ai-…

After hours

Alex Honnold BEST MOMENTS Free Soloing Taipei 101 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkVZm5UuXIs

Editorial

If you found this valuable, the I’d appreciate a ‘like’ or perhaps a donation at https://ko-fi.com/ciaops. This helps me know that people enjoy what I have created and provides resources to allow me to create more content. If you have any feedback or suggestions around this, I’m all ears. You can also find me via email director@ciaops.com and on X (Twitter) at https://www.twitter.com/directorcia.

If you want to be part of a dedicated Microsoft Cloud community with information and interactions daily, then consider becoming a CIAOPS Patron – www.ciaopspatron.com.

Watch out for the next CIA Brief next week

New publication–Copilot Training & User Enablement Playbook for MSPs

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https://directorcia.gumroad.com/l/flxnlj

Copilot Training & User Enablement Playbook for MSPs

Unlock the True Value of Microsoft 365 Copilot for Your Clients

The “Copilot Training & User Enablement Playbook for MSPs” is the definitive guide for Managed Service Providers who want to deliver not just Copilot deployments, but real, measurable outcomes for their clients. This comprehensive playbook empowers MSPs to transform Copilot from a shelfware add-on into a daily productivity engine—ensuring clients see rapid ROI, higher user satisfaction, and a competitive edge.

What’s Inside?
  • End-to-End Enablement Program: Step-by-step instructions for designing and delivering a structured Copilot training and change management program, including interactive workshops, ongoing coaching, and promotional strategies.

  • Ready-to-Use Collateral: Templates for reference guides, cheat sheets, workshop agendas, and communication materials that can be quickly customized for any client.

  • Proven Adoption Tactics: Practical advice on driving mindset shifts, securing executive sponsorship, and celebrating early wins to build momentum and sustain usage.

  • Pricing Models & Service Bundles: Clear guidance on how to package, price, and position your training services for maximum value and recurring revenue.

  • AI Center of Excellence Blueprint: A roadmap for offering ongoing support, Q&A clinics, and advanced user enablement as a premium retainer service.
Why Purchase This Playbook?
  • Accelerate Client ROI: Ensure your clients realize the full value of their Copilot investment—studies show that structured training and change management dramatically increase productivity and adoption rates.

  • Differentiate Your MSP: Stand out from competitors who simply “drop off” technology. This playbook positions you as a strategic partner, not just a software reseller.

  • Drive Real Outcomes: Move beyond installation to deliver tangible business results—like reduced document prep time, improved collaboration, and a culture of innovation.

  • Reusable, Scalable Assets: Save time and boost margins with ready-made, customizable materials and a repeatable delivery model.

  • Future-Proof Your Offering: Stay ahead with up-to-date best practices, ongoing support models, and strategies for evolving client needs.
Who Should Buy?
  • MSPs seeking to add high-value, high-margin services to their portfolio.

  • IT consultants and trainers responsible for Microsoft 365 Copilot rollouts.

  • Organizations that have deployed Copilot but struggle with low user adoption.

Don’t just deploy Copilot—make it indispensable.
Purchase the “Copilot Training & User Enablement Playbook for MSPs” and become the partner your clients trust to unlock the full power of AI in their workplace.

Now included with MSP AI Playbook bundle – https://directorcia.gumroad.com/l/mspaipb

See all the titles available at – https://directorcia.gumroad.com/