Security & Data Governance
The most critical guide for government Copilot deployments. Addresses the #1 question CSAs hear: "How do we ensure our data is protected?" Covers data security, compliance frameworks, permissions management, oversharing prevention, and audit capabilities specific to GCC, GCC High, and DoD environments.
About This Guide
The Security & Data Governance guide addresses the #1 concern CSAs hear from government customers: “How do we ensure our data is protected?” This comprehensive guide covers everything security and compliance teams need to know about protecting sensitive government data while enabling Copilot adoption.
Who This Is For
This guide is designed for:
- Security professionals responsible for data protection and risk management
- Compliance officers ensuring FedRAMP and agency-specific regulatory adherence
- IT administrators implementing security controls
- Executives who need to understand and communicate security posture to oversight bodies
Guide Structure
This guide covers six critical security domains:
- Understanding Copilot Security: Why Copilot changes the security conversation
- How Copilot Protects Your Data: Technical security architecture in government clouds
- FedRAMP and Government Compliance: FedRAMP, DISA SRG, and agency-specific compliance
- Preventing Oversharing: The Copilot Control System and remediation strategies
- Data Protection Controls: Sensitivity labels, DLP, and Microsoft Purview
- Audit, Monitoring, and Compliance Reporting: Tracking usage and maintaining audit trails
How to Use This Guide
For Security Professionals:
- Work through all sections sequentially
- Use the Preventing Oversharing section as your deployment prerequisite checklist
- Coordinate with IT on control implementation
For Compliance Officers:
- Focus on FedRAMP and Government Compliance section
- Use audit capabilities section for evidence collection
- Reference compliance mapping resources
For IT Administrators:
- Coordinate with security on control implementation
- Use alongside IT Deployment Guide for technical configuration
- Focus on operational monitoring section
For Executives:
- Review Understanding Copilot Security for strategic context
- Use FedRAMP and Government Compliance for oversight reporting
- Reference when communicating with Congress, IGs, or oversight bodies
Key Takeaways
By completing this guide, you will:
- Understand how Copilot’s security model differs from consumer AI
- Know the technical controls protecting government data in GCC, GCC High, and DoD
- Be able to verify and document compliance with FedRAMP, DISA SRG, and agency requirements
- Implement the Copilot Control System to prevent oversharing
- Configure Microsoft Purview for Copilot data protection
- Establish audit and monitoring capabilities for compliance reporting
Prerequisites
- Complete the Copilot Essentials guide for foundational knowledge
- Access to Microsoft Purview compliance portal
- Understanding of your agency’s compliance requirements
Critical Warning
Copilot amplifies existing permission problems. If users have access to data they shouldn’t, Copilot will surface that data more easily. Complete the Preventing Oversharing section before broad Copilot deployment.
Related Content
- Microsoft 365 Copilot Essentials — Foundation knowledge
- IT Deployment & Configuration — Technical implementation
- Executive Decision Guide — Risk communication to leadership
Guide Updates
This guide is updated regularly as:
- New security features reach government clouds
- Microsoft releases new Copilot Control System capabilities
- Compliance requirements evolve
Last Updated: November 25, 2025
Learning Path
Understanding Copilot Security
Why security for Copilot is different and what security professionals need to know. Sets context for the rest of the guide and bridges from the foundational knowledge in Copilot Essentials.
How Copilot Protects Your Data
Technical deep dive into Copilot's security architecture. Covers encryption, tenant isolation, data residency, and the controls Microsoft has built into the platform for government cloud environments.
FedRAMP and Government Compliance
Verifying and documenting compliance with FedRAMP, DISA SRG, and agency-specific requirements. Action-oriented guidance for compliance officers and security teams working in GCC, GCC High, and DoD.
Preventing Oversharing
The most critical security topic for Copilot deployments. How to prevent unintended data exposure and remediate existing permission problems before they become Copilot problems.
Data Protection Controls
Configuring Microsoft Purview controls to protect sensitive data in Copilot interactions. Covers sensitivity labels, classification, and data loss prevention policies available in government environments.
Audit, Monitoring, and Compliance Reporting
Tracking Copilot usage, maintaining audit trails, assessing security posture, and meeting government record-keeping and FOIA requirements.