I am joined once again by Phil Meyer to review the most important and relevant announcements from Microsoft Ignite. Plenty around AI but also a few other gems you may have overlooked, so sit back and listen in as we focus on what you should be paying attention to.

Brought to you by www.ciaopspatron.com

you can listen directly to this episode at:

https://ciaops.podbean.com/e/episode-356-philme-is-back/

Subscribe via iTunes at:

https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/ciaops-need-to-know-podcasts/id406891445?mt=2

or Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/7ejj00cOuw8977GnnE2lPb

Don’t forget to give the show a rating as well as send me any feedback or suggestions you may have for the show.

Resources

Explore the tools, communities, and content mentioned in this episode:

• CIAOPS Need to Know Podcast: https://ciaops.podbean.com/
• CIAOPS Blog: https://blog.ciaops.com/
• CIAOPS Labs: https://blog.ciaopslabs.com/
• CIAOPS Brief: https://blog.ciaops.com/tag/cia-brief/
• Join the Teams Shared Channel: https://blog.ciaops.com/2022/07/29/join-my-teams-shared-channel/
• CIAOPS Merch Store: https://my-store-c5d877-2.creator-spring.com/
• Become a Patron: https://www.ciaopspatron.com/
• Direct Support: https://ko-fi.com/ciaops
• Get Your M365 Questions Answered: https://blog.ciaops.com/2025/06/11/get-your-m365-questions-answered-via-email-2/
• Test Your Microsoft 365 Speed: https://blog.ciaops.com/2025/07/21/test-your-microsoft-365-speed-in-seconds-for-free/
• CIAOPS Email list – https://bit.ly/cia-email

Announcements

Flight School: Mastering Copilot for IT Pros – https://blog.ciaops.com/2025/11/14/flight-school-mastering-copilot-for-it-pros/
CIAOPS Academy deprecation notification – https://blog.ciaops.com/2025/11/10/ciaops-academy-deprecation-notification/

Show Notes

Microsoft 365 powered by Work IQ: Built to Support How You Work –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve66gLVYaRw

Synced Passkeys in Microsoft Entra for Phishing-resistant MFA –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36nIaSBJ7_U

Ignite’25 Spotlight: Announcing Microsoft Baseline security mode –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft_365blog/ignite%E2%80%9925-spotlight-announcing-m…

Introducing Microsoft 365 Copilot Business: Empowering Small and Medium Businesses with AI –

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

Future-Proofing Your Channel Business: Strategies for Asia Partners – Future-Proofing Your Channel Business: Strategies for Asia Partners | PBRK440 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvwZYUbVW08

Question – https://youtu.be/xvwZYUbVW08?t=2604

In Episode 354 of the CIAOPS “Need to Know” podcast, host Robert Crane sits down with Philip Meyer, a seasoned Microsoft veteran, to explore the seismic shifts in the IT landscape driven by artificial intelligence. From reflections on decades of industry evolution to practical advice for SMBs and partners, this episode delivers a rich blend of insights, personal stories, and actionable strategies. Topics include AI’s impact on employment, cybersecurity challenges, digital labor, and the future of partner enablement.

Brought to you by www.ciaopspatron.com

you can listen directly to this episode at:

https://ciaops.podbean.com/e/episode-354-phil-meyer/

Subscribe via iTunes at:

https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/ciaops-need-to-know-podcasts/id406891445?mt=2

or Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/7ejj00cOuw8977GnnE2lPb

Don’t forget to give the show a rating as well as send me any feedback or suggestions you may have for the show.

Resources

Explore the tools, communities, and content mentioned in this episode:

• CIAOPS Need to Know Podcast: https://ciaops.podbean.com/
• CIAOPS Blog: https://blog.ciaops.com/
• CIAOPS Labs: https://blog.ciaopslabs.com/
• CIAOPS Brief: https://blog.ciaops.com/tag/cia-brief/
• Join the Teams Shared Channel: https://blog.ciaops.com/2022/07/29/join-my-teams-shared-channel/
• CIAOPS Merch Store: https://my-store-c5d877-2.creator-spring.com/
• Become a Patron: https://www.ciaopspatron.com/
• Direct Support: https://ko-fi.com/ciaops
• Get Your M365 Questions Answered: https://blog.ciaops.com/2025/06/11/get-your-m365-questions-answered-via-email-2/
• Test Your Microsoft 365 Speed: https://blog.ciaops.com/2025/07/21/test-your-microsoft-365-speed-in-seconds-for-free/

Show Notes

Email philme@catalyst345.com to receive the invitation to Phil’s online meetings

http://aka.ms/wti for that Work Trends Index

Philip Meyer | LinkedIn for LinkedIn profile

Microsoft named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape for XDR –

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/10/02/microsoft-named-a-leader-in-the-idc-market…

Retail at risk: How one alert uncovered a persistent cyberthreat –

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/09/24/retail-at-risk-how-one-alert-uncovered-a-p…

Fluid forms, vibrant colors –

https://microsoft.design/articles/fluid-forms-vibrant-colors/

What’s new in Microsoft 365 Copilot | September 2025 –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/Microsoft365CopilotBlog/what%E2%80%99s-new-in-microsoft-36…

An IT pro’s guide to Windows 11, version 25H2 –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/an-it-pro%E2%80%99s-guide-to-windows-11…

Announcing Microsoft Sentinel Model Context Protocol (MCP) server – Public Preview –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-security-blog/announcing-microsoft-sentinel-mode…

Microsoft Sentinel data lake is now generally available –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-security-blog/microsoft-sentinel-data-lake-is-no…

Empowering defenders in the era of agentic AI with Microsoft Sentinel –

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/09/30/empowering-defenders-in-the-era-of-agentic…

Microsoft 365 Backup: Protect your business with data recovery –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft_365_backup_blog/microsoft-365-backup-protect-you…

Office Agent – “Taste driven” multi-agent system for Microsoft 365 Copilot –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/office-agent-%E2%80%93-%E2%80%9Cta…

Vibe working: Introducing Agent Mode and Office Agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot –

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/09/29/vibe-working-introducing-agent-mode-a…

Building Agent Mode in Excel –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/excelblog/building-agent-mode-in-excel/4457320

Microsoft Sentinel and Defender: ITSM Integrations Explained –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoftsentinelblog/microsoft-sentinel-and-defender-itsm…

AI vs. AI: Detecting an AI-obfuscated phishing campaign –

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/09/24/ai-vs-ai-detecting-an-ai-obfuscated-phishi…

Expanding model choice in Microsoft 365 Copilot –

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/09/24/expanding-model-choice-in-microsoft-3…

Introducing Channel Agent in Teams –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/Microsoft365InsiderBlog/introducing-channel-agent-in-teams…

SharePoint Showcase highlights: Get the most out of SharePoint agents –

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

New collaborative agents in Microsoft 365 Copilot –

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

Introducing Knowledge Agent in SharePoint –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/spblog/introducing-knowledge-agent-in-sharepoint/4454154

AI and Microsoft Teams: A New Era of Collaboration –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoftteamsblog/ai-and-microsoft-teams-a-new-era-of-col…

Microsoft 365 Insider Round-Up: September 2025 –

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/microsoft-365-insider-round-up-september-2025-microsoft-365-insider-…

Addressing multi-tenant management challenges for MSPs with Microsoft Intune and partner innovations –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoftintuneblog/addressing-multi-tenant-management-cha…

Defending against evolving identity attack techniques –

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/05/29/defending-against-evolving-identity-attack…

Copilot Chat comes to the Microsoft 365 apps –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/copilot-chat-comes-to-the-microsof…

Get ready now: One month until Office 2016/2019 end of support –

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/officeeos/get-ready-now-one-month-until-office-20162019-en…

In Episode 351 of the CIAOPS “Need to Know” podcast, we explore how small MSPs can scale through shared knowledge. From peer collaboration and co-partnering strategies to AI-driven security frameworks and Microsoft 365 innovations, this episode delivers actionable insights for SMB IT professionals looking to grow smarter, not harder.

Brought to you by www.ciaopspatron.com

you can listen directly to this episode at:

https://ciaops.podbean.com/e/episode-351-learning-is-a-superpower/

Subscribe via iTunes at:

https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/ciaops-need-to-know-podcasts/id406891445?mt=2

or Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/7ejj00cOuw8977GnnE2lPb

Don’t forget to give the show a rating as well as send me any feedback or suggestions you may have for the show.

Resources

CIAOPS Need to Know podcast – CIAOPS – Need to Know podcasts | CIAOPS

X – https://www.twitter.com/directorcia

Join my Teams shared channel – Join my Teams Shared Channel – CIAOPS

CIAOPS Merch store – CIAOPS

Become a CIAOPS Patron – CIAOPS Patron

CIAOPS Blog – CIAOPS – Information about SharePoint, Microsoft 365, Azure, Mobility and Productivity from the Computer Information Agency

CIAOPS Brief – CIA Brief – CIAOPS

CIAOPS Labs – CIAOPS Labs – The Special Activities Division of the CIAOPS

Support CIAOPS – https://ko-fi.com/ciaops

Get your M365 questions answered via email

Show Notes

Security & Threat Intelligence

Secret Blizzard AiTM Campaign: Microsoft uncovers a phishing campaign targeting diplomats. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/07/31/frozen-in-transit-secret-blizzards-aitm-campaign-against-diplomats

Multi-modal Threat Protection: Defender’s advanced capabilities against complex threats. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoftdefenderforoffice365blog/protection-against-multi-modal-attacks-with-microsoft-defender/4438786

AI Security Essentials: Microsoft’s approach to AI-related security concerns. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-security-blog/ai-security-essentials-what-companies-worry-about-and-how-microsoft-helps/4436639

macOS TCC Vulnerability: Spotlight-based flaw analysis. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/07/28/sploitlight-analyzing-a-spotlight-based-macos-tcc-vulnerability/

Copilot Security Assessment: Microsoft’s framework for secure AI deployments. https://security-for-ai-assessment.microsoft.com/

Identity & Access Management

Modern Identity Defense: New threat detection tools from Microsoft. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/07/31/modernize-your-identity-defense-with-microsoft-identity-threat-detection-and-response/

AI Agents & Identity: How AI is reshaping identity management. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-entra-blog/ai-agents-and-the-future-of-identity-what%E2%80%99s-on-the-minds-of-your-peers/4436815

Token Protection in Entra: Preview of enhanced conditional access. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/conditional-access/concept-token-protection

Microsoft Earnings & Business Updates

FY25 Q4 Earnings: Strong growth in cloud and AI revenue. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Investor/earnings/FY-2025-Q4/press-release-webcast

Copilot & AI Enhancements

Copilot Without Recording: Use Copilot in Teams without meeting recordings. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/use-copilot-without-recording-a-teams-meeting-a59cb88c-0f6b-4a20-a47a-3a1c9a818bd9

Copilot Search Features: Acronyms and bookmarks walkthrough. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nftEC73Cjxo

Copilot Search Launch: General availability announcement. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/announcing-microsoft-365-copilot-search-general-availability-a-new-era-of-search/4435537

Productivity & Power Platform

PowerPoint Tips: 7 hidden features to elevate your presentations. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365insiderblog/take-your-presentation-skills-to-the-next-level-with-these-7-lesser-known-powerp/4433700

New Power Apps: Generative AI meets enterprise-grade trust. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/blog/power-apps/introducing-the-new-power-apps-generative-power-meets-enterprise-grade-trust/