CIAOPS - Need to Know podcasts

Welcome to another podcast episode where I aim to bring you up to date with the latest in the Microsoft Cloud as well as share my knowledge and insights. In this episode I dig into how you need to focus and avoid distractions as well as building your knowledge with products and automations you already have. 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 ProsA new training resource for IT professionals to maximize Copilot capabilities.https://blog.ciaops.com/2025/11/14/flight-school-mastering-copilot-for-it-pros/    ACSC Essential Eight Maturity Level 3Guidance on implementing security best practices with Microsoft 365 Business Premium.https://blog.ciaops.com/2025/12/08/implementing-acsc-essential-eight-maturity-level-3-with-microsoft-365-business-premium-publication/  Show Notes Advancing Microsoft 365: New capabilities and pricing update | Microsoft 365 Blog Available today: GPT-5.2 in Microsoft 365 Copilot | Microsoft 365 Blog Meet Agents in OneDrive : Your AI assistant built with your own content | Microsoft Community Hub What’s New in Copilot Studio: November 2025 Updates and Features View or restore previous versions of Microsoft 365 Copilot Pages Security and governance innovations for Microsoft 365 Copilot and agents from Ignite 2025 | Microsoft Community Hub New! Centralized Agent Dashboard and Enhanced Reporting | Microsoft Community Hub Security and governance innovations for Microsoft 365 Copilot and agents from Ignite 2025 | Microsoft Community Hub What's new in Microsoft Intune: December 2025 - Microsoft Intune Blog Microsoft 365 adds advanced Microsoft Intune solutions at scale - Microsoft Intune Blog What’s New in Microsoft Sentinel: December 2025 | Microsoft Community Hub What’s new in Microsoft Entra – November 2025 Microsoft Ignite 2025: Top Security Innovations You Need to Know | Microsoft Community Hub      

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. 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 this episode of the Need to Know Podcast, we explore the evolving landscape of learning in the Microsoft Cloud ecosystem, with a spotlight on the SMB market. From the latest in Microsoft 365 Copilot innovations to critical cybersecurity updates and the end of CIAOPS Academy, this episode delivers essential insights for IT professionals and business leaders navigating the modern digital workplace. 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/ Disabling Office Macros via ASR to Meet Essential Eight Requirements – https://blog.ciaops.com/2025/11/13/disabling-office-macros-via-asr-to-meet-essential-eight-requirements/ ASD OWA settings check script – https://blog.ciaops.com/2025/11/13/asd-owa-settings-check-script/ ASD Mailflow settings check script – https://blog.ciaops.com/2025/11/12/asd-mailflow-settings-check-sript/ CIAOPS Academy deprecation notification – https://blog.ciaops.com/2025/11/10/ciaops-academy-deprecation-notification/  Show Notes The next chapter of the Microsoft–OpenAI partnership – https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2025/10/28/the-next-chapter-of-the-microsoft-openai-partnership/ Automate with Workflows Agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot (Frontier) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvk1ScZT-lo Introducing Researcher with Computer Use in Microsoft 365 Copilot – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/introducing-researcher-with-comput… Build apps in minutes with App Builder agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot (Frontier) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v27H_R1ltB0 Microsoft 365 Copilot now enables you to build apps and workflows – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/10/28/microsoft-365-copilot-now-enables-you Introducing Teams Mode for Microsoft 365 Copilot – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/introducing-teams-mode-for-microso… Introducing MAI-Image-1, debuting in the top 10 on LMArena – https://microsoft.ai/news/introducing-mai-image-1-debuting-in-the-top-10-on-lmarena/ Building human-centric security skills for AI – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoftlearnblog/building-human-centric-security-skills-… GenAI vs Cyber Threats: Why GenAI Powered Unified SecOps Wins – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-security-blog/genai-vs-cyber-threats-why-genai-p… What’s new in Microsoft 365 Copilot | October 2025 – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/Microsoft365CopilotBlog/what%E2%80%99s-new-in-microsoft-36… The 5 generative AI security threats you need to know about detailed in new e-book – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/10/30/the-5-generative-ai-security-threats-you-n… SharePoint Showcase highlights: Smarter Copilot responses using metadata with the Knowledge Agent – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365insiderblog/sharepoint-showcase-highlights-sma… Work smarter with Copilot in the People, Files, and Calendar apps – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365insiderblog/work-smarter-with-copilot-in-the-p… The weakest link: Stolen staff passwords now the biggest cyber threat

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. 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 [email protected] 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… Sha

In this episode I talk about a recent series of blog posts I wrote about some analysis I did on various AI services available today as well as my thoughts on these. I also cover off the latest news and information in the Microsoft Cloud for you. Listen along. 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   Welcome to the Microsoft Incident Response Ninja Hub – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoftsecurityexperts/welcome-to-the-microsoft-incident… Listen to an audio recap of your meetings in Teams – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/Microsoft365InsiderBlog/listen-to-an-audio-recap-of-your-m… Introducing Surveys Agent, your personal survey expert – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365insiderblog/introducing-surveys-agent-your-per… What’s New in AI for Security from Microsoft Entra? – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-entra-blog/what%E2%80%99s-new-in-ai-for-security… Microsoft ranked number one in modern endpoint security market share third year in a row – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/08/27/microsoft-ranked-number-one-in-modern-endpoint-security-market-share-third-year-in-a-row/ Securing and governing the rise of autonomous agents – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/08/26/securing-and-governing-the-rise-of-autonomous-agents/ How systems integrators are scaling innovation with Microsoft 365 Copilot and agents – https://partner.microsoft.com/en-US/blog/article/copilot-partner-spotlight-august-2025 Microsoft deployment blueprint – Address oversharing concerns for your M365 Copilot deployment – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/healthcareandlifesciencesblog/microsoft-deployment-blueprint—address-oversharing-concerns-for-your-m365-copi/4434598 Staying Ahead of Compliance: Keep Up with Key Insights from our Quarterly Compliance Update – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/staying-ahead-of-compliance-keep-up-with-key-insights-from-our-quarterly-complia/4448011 Microsoft Security Copilot in Intune deep dive – Part 1: Features available in public preview – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/intunecustomersuccess/microsoft-security-copilot-in-intune-deep-dive-%E2%80%93-part-1-features-available-in-pu/4406244 What’s New in Microsoft Intune: August 2025 – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoftintuneblog/what%E2%80%99s-new-in-microsoft-intune-august-2025/4445612 OneNote for Windows 10 support is ending – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365insiderblog/onenote-for-windows-10-support-is-ending/4445230 Think before you Click(Fix): Analyzing the ClickFix social engineering technique – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/08/21/think-before-you-clickfix-analyzing-the-clickfix-social-engineering-technique/ Deep Dive: DLP Incidents, Alerts & Events – Part 1 – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-security-blog/deep-dive-dlp-incidents-alerts–events—part-1/4443691 Deep Dive: DLP Incidents, Alerts & Events – Part 2 – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-security-blog/deep-dive-dlp-incidents-alerts–events—part-2/4443700 New SKUs available for M365 Business premium - https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-security-blog/deep-dive-dlp-incidents-alerts–events—part-2/4443700 Testing the differences between AI services – CIAOPS - https://blog.ciaops.com/2025/09/06/testing-the-differences-betwee