Microsoft has once again made significant progress in the rapidly changing fields of artificial intelligence and data security with the most recent updates to Purview, its AI-powered data management platform. The ground-breaking innovations and improvements included in the most recent version demonstrate the tech giant's dedication to increasing data security in an AI-centric environment.
Microsoft's official announcement highlights the company's relentless efforts to expand the capabilities of AI for security while concurrently fortifying security measures for AI applications. The move aims to address the growing challenges associated with safeguarding sensitive information in an environment increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence.
The Purview upgrades introduced by Microsoft have set a new benchmark in AI data security, and industry experts are noting. According to a report on VentureBeat, the enhancements showcase Microsoft's dedication to staying at the forefront of technological innovation, particularly in securing data in the age of AI.
One of the key features emphasized in the upgrades is the integration of advanced machine learning algorithms, providing Purview users with enhanced threat detection and proactive security measures. This signifies a shift towards a more predictive approach to data security, where potential risks can be identified and mitigated before they escalate into significant issues.
The Tech Community post by Microsoft delves into the specifics of how Purview is securing data in an 'AI-first world.' It discusses the platform's ability to intelligently classify and protect data, ensuring that sensitive information is handled with the utmost care. The post emphasizes the role of AI in enabling organizations to navigate the complexities of modern data management securely.
Microsoft's commitment to a comprehensive approach to data security is reflected in the expanded capabilities unveiled at Microsoft Ignite. The company's focus on both utilizing AI for bolstering security and ensuring the security of AI applications demonstrates a holistic understanding of the challenges organizations face in an increasingly interconnected and data-driven world.
As businesses continue to embrace AI technologies, the need for robust data security measures becomes paramount. Microsoft's Purview upgrades signal a significant stride in meeting these demands, offering organizations a powerful tool to navigate the intricate landscape of AI data security effectively. As the industry evolves, Microsoft's proactive stance reaffirms its position as a leader in shaping the future of secure AI-powered data management.
Microsoft introduced Copilot – its workplace assistant – earlier this year, labelling the product as a “copilot for work.”
Copilot which will be made available for the users from November 1, will be integrated to the subscribers of Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, Excel, Teams and PowerPoint – with a subscription worth $30 per user/month.
Additionally, as part of the new service, employees at companies who use Microsoft's Copilot could theoretically send their AI helpers to meetings in their place, allowing them to miss or double-book appointments and focus on other tasks.
With businesses including General Motors, KPMG, and Goodyear, Microsoft has been testing Copilot, which assists users with tasks like email writing and coding. Early feedback from those companies has revealed that it is used to swiftly respond to emails and inquire about meetings.
According to Jared Spataro, corporate vice president of modern work and business applications at Microsoft, “[Copilot] combines the power of large language models (LLMs) with your data…to turn your words into the most powerful productivity tool on the planet,” he said in a March blog post.
Spataro promised that the technology would “lighten the load” for online users, stating that for many white-collar workers, “80% of our time is consumed with busywork that bogs us down.”
For many office workers, this so-called "busywork" includes attending meetings. According to a recent British study, office workers waste 213 hours annually, or 27 full working days, in meetings where the agenda could have been communicated by email.
Companies like Shopify are deliberately putting a stop to pointless meetings. When the e-commerce giant introduced an internal "cost calculator" for staff meetings, it made headlines during the summer. According to corporate leadership, each 30-minute meeting costs the company between $700 and $1,600.
Copilot will now help in reducing this expense. The AI assistant's services include the ability to "follow" meetings and produce a transcript, summary, and notes once they are over.
Microsoft, in July, noted that “the next wave of generative AI for Teams,” which included incorporating Copilot further into Teams calls and meetings.
“You can also ask Copilot to draft notes for you during the call and highlight key points, such as names, dates, numbers, and tasks using natural language commands[…]You can quickly synthesize key information from your chat threads—allowing you to ask specific questions (or use one of the suggested prompts) to help get caught up on the conversation so far, organize key discussion points, and summarize information relevant to you,” the company noted.
In regard to the same, Spataro states that “Every meeting is a productive meeting with Copilot in Teams[…]It can summarize key discussion points—including who said what and where people are aligned and where they disagree—and suggest action items, all in real-time during a meeting.
However, Microsoft is not the only tech giant working on making meeting tolerant, as Zoom and Google have also introduced AI-powered chatbots for the online workforce that can attend meetings on behalf of the user, and present its conclusions during the get-together.
Microsoft has taken a big step to strengthen the security of its products in response to the growing cybersecurity threats and a number of recent high-profile attacks. The business has declared that it will offer all users essential security features at no cost. Microsoft is making this change in an effort to allay concerns about the security of its platforms and shield its users from potential cyberattacks.
The Messenger, The Register, and Bloomberg all reported that Microsoft made the decision to offer these security capabilities free of charge in response to mounting demand to improve security across its whole portfolio of products. Recent cyberattacks have brought up important issues with data privacy and information security, necessitating the development of stronger protection methods.
A number of allegedly state-sponsored hacks, with China as a particular target, are one of the main drivers behind this tactical approach. Governments, corporations, and individual users all over the world are extremely concerned about these breaches since they target not only crucial infrastructure but also important data.
Improved encryption tools, multi-factor authentication, and cutting-edge threat detection capabilities are among the free security improvements. Users of Microsoft's operating systems, including Windows 10 and Windows 11, as well as cloud-based services like Microsoft 365 and Azure, will have access to these functionalities. Microsoft wants to make these crucial security features available to a broader variety of customers, independent of subscription plans, by removing the financial barrier.
Microsoft responded to the judgment by saying, "We take the security of our customers' data and their privacy extremely seriously. We think it is our duty to provide our users with the best defenses possible as threats continue to evolve. We believe that by making these security features available for free, more people will take advantage of them and improve their overall cybersecurity posture.
Industry professionals applaud Microsoft for choosing to offer these security measures without charge. This is a huge step in the right direction, said Mark Thompson, a cybersecurity analyst with TechDefend. Because these services are free, Microsoft is enabling its users to properly defend themselves against possible attacks as cyber threats become more complex.
The action is also in line with the work of other cybersecurity organizations, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which has been promoting improved cooperation amongst IT businesses to battle cyber threats.
Although the choice definitely benefits customers, it also poses a challenge for other digital firms in the sector. Customers are expected to demand comparable initiatives from other big players in response to the growing emphasis on data security and privacy, driving the entire sector toward a more secure future.