In this episode I ask the question about whether privacy is becoming and optional and take a deep dive into creating better data structures in places like SharePoint and Teams that help users and AI generate better results. There is also the usual look at recent cloud news from Microsoft and thoughts on how even all this is become about AI. Love your feedback.
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Updates
Take control of your EWSAllowedAppIDs list before EWS access changes
Microsoft is changing how Exchange Web Services (EWS) access is managed. Organizations should review and manage their EWSAllowedAppIDs list now to ensure approved applications retain access and to avoid disruptions when the new controls take effect.
Link: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/take-control-of-your-ewsallowedappids-list-before-ews-access-changes/4553534
Understanding the new 100 GB mailbox entitlement for Microsoft 365 Business suites
Microsoft explains the introduction of 100 GB mailbox storage for eligible Microsoft 365 Business plans, outlining entitlement requirements and how organizations can benefit from increased mailbox capacity.
Link: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/understanding-the-new-100-gb-mailbox-entitlement-for-microsoft-365-business-suit/4548243
AI
Available today: OpenAI GPT-6 Astra in Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft has added OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra model to Copilot, giving users access to an advanced foundation model designed to improve reasoning, content generation, and productivity experiences across Microsoft 365.
Link: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-copilot-blog/available-today-openai-gpt-6-astra-in-microsoft-copilot/4552808
Available today: Anthropic Claude Fable 5.1 in Microsoft Copilot
Anthropic's Claude Fable 5.1 model is now available in Microsoft Copilot, expanding the range of AI models users can leverage for research, analysis, content creation, and complex business tasks.
Link: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-copilot-blog/available-today-anthropic-claude-fable-5-1-in-microsoft-copilot/4551974
Expanding model choice in Copilot with Grok
Access to Grok models is rolling out through the Microsoft Frontier Program in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. We are starting with a focused release to gather customer feedback and learn how customers use the model across common productivity scenarios.
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-copilot-blog/expanding-model-choice-in-copilot-with-grok/4555749
What’s New in Microsoft Copilot | August 2026
A monthly roundup of new Copilot capabilities, including model updates, workflow enhancements, productivity improvements, and new AI-powered features designed to help users work more effectively.
Link: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-copilot-blog/what%25E2%2580%2599s-new-in-microsoft-copilot--august-2026/4551960
Security
What’s new in Microsoft Security: August 2026
Microsoft's monthly security update covering new capabilities across Defender, Sentinel, Entra, Security Copilot, and other security products, along with recent security announcements and enhancements.
Link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2026/08/27/whats-new-in-microsoft-security-august-2026/
Passkey-themed social engineering leads to identity and cloud compromise
Microsoft details a campaign where attackers used passkey-related social engineering techniques to trick users into compromising credentials and cloud identities, while also providing mitigation guidance.
Link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2026/09/09/passkey-themed-social-engineering-leads-identity-cloud-compromise/
Protecting organizations from AI-assisted executive impersonation and invoice fraud
This security guidance examines how attackers are using AI to impersonate executives and conduct invoice fraud, alongside recommendations to help organizations detect and prevent these attacks.
Link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2026/09/10/protecting-organizations-ai-assisted-executive-impersonation-invoice-fraud/
Impersonating IT support: how threat actors turn a remote session into enterprise-wide access
Microsoft analyzes how attackers impersonate IT support staff to gain remote access and expand their foothold within organizations, highlighting attack techniques and defensive measures.
Link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2026/09/02/impersonating-it-support-threat-actors-turn-remote-session-into-enterprise-wide-access/
From CIAOPS
Image Model Comparison
A practical comparison of image generation models, reviewing differences in output quality, style, and effectiveness to help users evaluate which AI image generation model best suits their needs.
Link: https://directorcia.github.io/Office365/image-comparison.html
September webinar - local AI
https://blog.ciaops.com/2026/09/10/ciaops-need-to-know-microsoft-365-webinar-september-5/
