Copilot readiness
Rolling out Microsoft 365 Copilot can unlock productivity gains across your organisation — but only if your data environment is ready. Without strong governance, you risk surfacing outdated documents, sensitive information, or content that was never intended to be shared.
Copilot relies entirely on the data it can access. If your Microsoft 365 environment contains ROT (redundant, outdated, trivial content), inconsistent permissions, or unclassified data, Copilot may amplify the problem — not solve it.
What it Includes
A Copilot readiness solution brings together several Microsoft Purview modules, each playing a role in preparing your environment. Some modules are essential to any readiness approach, while others are highly recommended or situational based on your risk profile and maturity. Together, these tools create a governed and high-quality data environment – enabling Copilot to generate accurate, secure and contextually relevant results.
Data Map and Data Catalog
Automatically discover, register and classify content across your Microsoft 365 environment to improve visibility and traceability.
ESSENTIAL
Data Lifecycle Management
Enforce retention, deletion and archiving policies to remove outdated or redundant content (ROT) and ensure compliance.
ESSENTIAL
Information Protection
Apply sensitivity labels and encryption policies to ensure sensitive information is properly handled and protected.
ESSENTIAL
eDiscovery and Audit
Identify, investigate and report on data access, movement and compliance risks.
SITUATIONAL
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Prevent inappropriate sharing of sensitive content by applying real-time data protection policies across endpoints, email, and cloud locations.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Access Reviews and Entitlement Management
(via Microsoft Entra ID Governance) – Review user permissions and limit unnecessary access to critical content.
SITUATIONAL
Looking for More?
Microsoft Purview includes additional modules that go beyond insider risk. Visit our Products section to explore the full range of capabilities.
Why it matters
Poor data governance can lead Copilot to surface sensitive or outdated content, undermining trust and increasing risk. Readiness ensures Copilot works from accurate, well-managed data — reducing exposure and improving outcomes.
By taking a proactive approach to readiness, you improve trust in AI outputs, prevent inappropriate data exposure, reduce noise and redundancy across Microsoft 365, and accelerate Copilot’s value while maintaining compliance.
How Affinity Data helps
We help organisations assess and prepare their Microsoft 365 environment for Copilot using Microsoft Purview. Our service covers governance assessment, ROT cleanup, sensitive data discovery and support for curated Copilot-ready datasets.
Affinity Data ensures you roll out Copilot with confidence — drawing value from AI without sacrificing control.
Make sure your data is ready before you switch on Copilot.
Contact us to start your readiness assessment.
Ready to take the next step?
If you’re unsure where to begin or want to validate your current approach, our Readiness and Assessment program can help. It’s the ideal starting point for planning a Copilot strategy that works.