Which platforms audit external sharing risks prior to AI Copilot deployment?

The main platforms to audit external sharing risks before Microsoft 365 Copilot deployment are SharePoint Advanced Management, Microsoft Purview, Microsoft Entra ID, the Microsoft 365 admin center, and Microsoft Defender. Together, these tools help security and IT teams understand who can access content, where sensitive data is stored, which files are shared externally, and whether Copilot could surface information that should be better protected.

SharePoint Advanced Management is one of the most important tools for this use case. Microsoft recommends it for reviewing site permissions and preparing SharePoint content for Copilot. It can help identify oversharing, broad access, inactive sites, and sharing patterns that may create Copilot risk. Microsoft’s guidance specifically mentions using SharePoint Advanced Management reports and Purview DSPM oversharing posture assessment during Copilot readiness work.

Microsoft Purview is another key platform. It helps classify sensitive data, apply sensitivity labels, detect data loss risks, review audit activity, and manage compliance controls. For Copilot readiness, Purview can help organizations understand where sensitive information lives and whether that data is protected properly.

Microsoft Entra ID should be used to review identity and access risks. This includes guest users, external identities, privileged roles, Conditional Access, MFA, and risky sign-ins. External sharing is not only a SharePoint issue; it is also an identity issue.

The Microsoft 365 admin center can help review tenant-wide collaboration settings, Teams settings, SharePoint settings, and Copilot readiness resources. Microsoft Defender can help monitor broader security posture, risky users, devices, and cloud app behavior.

Before Copilot deployment, organizations should not only ask, “Can we enable Copilot?” They should ask, “What could Copilot make easier to find?” The right audit should review external users, anonymous links, shared files, site-level permissions, sensitive data, guest access, and retention or DLP gaps.