126.6K
Downloads
361
Episodes
Regular Microsoft Cloud information featuring Azure and Office365 with Microsoft MVP Robert Crane - A mix of current Microsoft cloud news, analysis and industry expert chat.
Episodes
Monday Jul 21, 2025
Monday Jul 21, 2025
In Episode 350 of the CIAOPS “Need to Know” podcast, along with the latest news from the Microsoft Cloud, we explore how Microsoft Power Pages is revolutionising web development for SMBs. Learn how this low-code platform enables businesses to build secure, scalable portals—without needing full-stack developers. From customer support portals to partner onboarding, discover real-world use cases, a step-by-step guide to building your first portal, and how Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can offer Power Pages as a service. This episode is a must-listen for IT professionals, MSPs, and business leaders driving digital transformation.
Resources
Show Notes
Security & Compliance
- Microsoft Purview powers data protection in Security Copilot: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-security-blog/microsoft-purview-powering-data-security-and-compliance-for-security-copilot/4433522
- AI Governance with Purview: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-security-blog/secure-and-govern-ai-apps-and-agents-with-microsoft-purview/4429925
- Defender for Office 365 email security performance: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/07/17/transparency-on-microsoft-defender-for-office-365-email-security-effectiveness/
- Cloud Storage Protection in the age of AI: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/MicrosoftDefenderCloudBlog/protecting-cloud-storage-in-the-age-of-ai/4433854
- New Regulatory Frameworks in Defender for Cloud: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoftdefendercloudblog/microsoft-defender-for-cloud-adds-four-new-regulatory-frameworks/4433440
AI & Copilot
- Copilot Memory for personalised AI: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/introducing-copilot-memory-a-more-productive-and-personalized-ai-for-the-way-you/4432059
- Security Copilot Admin Tools: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/securitycopilotblog/new-tools-for-security-copilot-management-and-capacity-planning/4432723
- Intune Integration with Copilot: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/intunecustomersuccess/microsoft-security-copilot-in-intune-deep-dive---part-3-explore-and-act-on-your-/4433019
- Surface Management Portal now supports Copilot: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/surfaceitpro/now-generally-available-microsoft-security-copilot-in-surface-management-portal/4429558
Learning & Productivity
- Microsoft Forms Tips: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365insiderblog/get-the-most-out-of-microsoft-forms-with-these-little-known-features/4432179
Threat Intelligence
- Octo Tempest Attacks: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/07/16/protecting-customers-from-octo-tempest-attacks-across-multiple-industries/
- Defender Experts on proactive threat hunting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqlxXf6JeQg
Platform & Tools
- Apple Device Enrollment in Intune: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/intunecustomersuccess/understanding-apple-enrollment-methods-in-microsoft-intune/4434586
Recognition & Industry Updates
- Microsoft Named Leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/07/16/microsoft-is-named-a-leader-in-the-2025-gartner-magic-quadrant-for-endpoint-protection-platforms/
AI Governance & Design
- Agent Governance in Microsoft 365: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/healthcareandlifesciencesblog/mastering-agent-governance-in-microsoft-365/4416620
Media & Branding
- Microsoft Stream & Clipchamp brand unification: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft_365blog/microsoft-stream-and-microsoft-clipchamp-brand-unification-update-for-microsoft-/4433155
Monday Jul 07, 2025
Monday Jul 07, 2025
What’s new in Microsoft Entra – June 2025: Highlights include upcoming support for backing up account names in the Authenticator app using iCloud Keychain
Enhancing Defense Security with Entra ID Governance: Discusses how Entra ID Governance strengthens defense sector security
What’s New in Microsoft Teams | June 2025: Covers new Teams features and enhancements 3.
What’s new in Microsoft Intune: June 2025: Summarizes Intune updates including device management improvements
Microsoft Intune data-driven management | Device Query & Copilot: Introduces new Copilot-powered device query features
Data Breach Reporting with Microsoft Data Security Investigations: Guidance on regulatory breach reporting
Modern, unified data security in the AI era: New Microsoft Purview capabilities for AI-driven data protection
Safeguarding data with Microsoft 365 Copilot: Focuses on compliance and security in Copilot deployments
Protection Against Email Bombs: Microsoft Defender for Office 365 introduces new protections
Introducing the Microsoft 365 Copilot App Learning Series: Learning resources for Copilot adoption
Making the Most of Attack Simulation Training: Best practices for security training
Processing status pane for SharePoint Autofill: New UI enhancements for SharePoint
Introducing the New SharePoint Template Gallery: Streamlined template discovery and usage
Planning your move to Microsoft Defender portal: Transition guidance for Sentinel customers
Jasper Sleet: North Korean IT infiltration tactics: Threat intelligence update
Managing warehouse devices with Microsoft Intune: Real-world Intune use case
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Welcome to Episode 348 of the CIAOPS Need to Know podcast — your regular dose of insights, updates, and practical guidance on Microsoft technologies, cybersecurity, and the evolving digital workplace with a special focus on what's best for SMB.
Resources
Microsoft Defender & Security
- Case management now supports multiple tenants – Enhances multi-tenant visibility in Microsoft Defender.
- Best Practices for Investigating Phishing Incidents – Guidance for handling phishing in Defender for Office 365.
Microsoft 365 & Copilot
- Copilot Notebooks in OneNote – Now available for enterprise users on Windows.
- Microsoft 365 Insider Round-Up: June 2025 – Monthly feature and update digest.
- Copilot Release Notes – June 4 – Latest improvements and fixes.
- New FAQ web part in SharePoint – Copilot-powered FAQ integration.
- Copilot vulnerability report – Security concerns around AI agent hacking.
AI & Innovation
- New methods boost LLM reasoning – Research on improving model reasoning.
- Empowering AI skills in teams – Microsoft’s initiative to boost AI adoption.
Identity & Access
- Getting started with Microsoft Entra Suite – Overview of Entra capabilities.
- Understanding and Mitigating Golden SAML Attacks – Security guidance for identity compromise.
Governance & Policy
- Microsoft to block third-party app access – Policy change on app consent.
- Microsoft 365 Local – Sovereign cloud solutions for Europe.
Thought Leadership
- Breaking down the infinite workday – Microsoft WorkLab’s insights on work-life balance.
Saturday Jun 07, 2025
Saturday Jun 07, 2025
In this episode I take a look at some of the latest announcements from Microsoft Build as well as recent changes to the Microsoft 365 home page. As expected Build gave us lots of new and enhanced capabilities coming to services like Copilot Studio and provide a raft of enhanced ways to better use AI across tenant information. There are still plenty of security updates to be across so listen along for all the details.
Brought to you by www.ciaopspatron.com
Resources
Introducing Microsoft 365 Copilot Tuning
The Microsoft 365 Copilot app: Built for the new way of working
What’s new in Microsoft 365 Copilot | May 2025
Automating Phishing Email Triage with Microsoft Security Copilot
Defending against evolving identity attack techniques
What’s new in Microsoft Intune: May 2025
Monitoring & Assessing Risk with Microsoft Entra ID Protection
Discover how automatic attack disruption protects critical assets while ensuring business continuity
Access chats while sharing your screen in Teams meetings
New Russia-affiliated actor Void Blizzard targets critical sectors for espionage
Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 19, 2025
In this episode I have a chat about the E5 security add on for Microsoft 365 Business premium and what additions it provides for security. Microsoft Build is also this week so we expect plenty of news and update there. Stay tuned for that but for now listen along get up to date with the Microsoft Cloud.
Brought to you by www.ciaopspatron.com
Resources
Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Office 365 E1 grant discontinuation
Simple, Smart, and Secure: The next step in sharing files in Microsoft 365
Introducing all-new Surface Copilot+ PCs: The Surface Pro, 12-inch and Surface Laptop, 13-inch
Copilot on Windows: “Hey, Copilot!” begins rolling out to Windows Insiders
Start, Fresh — Redesigning the Windows Start menu for you
SharePoint in the Era of AI: Spring 2025 Updates
Empowering multi-agent apps with the open Agent2Agent (A2A) protocol
Managing and migrating Macs with Microsoft Intune
Getting Started with the New Purview eDiscovery (E3)
Transitioning to Microsoft Planner and retiring Microsoft Project for the web
OneDrive: Personalized Intelligence. Seamless Collaboration. Always On
Monday May 05, 2025
Monday May 05, 2025
Join me for the latest news an updates from the Microsoft Cloud just on eve of Microsoft Build. Microsoft 365 Copilot Wave 2 is upon u and I provide some thoughts and information on what to expect as well as some thoughts around why data is the important thing to consider with AI rather than which model might currently be better. Listen along and let me know your thoughts.
Brought to you by www.ciaopspatron.com
Resources
Microsoft 365 Copilot Wave 2 Spring updates
Microsoft 365 Copilot: Built for the era of human–agent collaboration
2025 release wave 1 brings hundreds of updates to Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform
What’s new in Copilot Studio: April 2025
Researcher agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot
Analyst agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot
What's new in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app - April 2025
Announcing Public Preview of DLP for M365 Copilot in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Explore practical best practices to secure your data with Microsoft Purview
Project Manager in Planner Demo
What's new in Microsoft Intune: April 2025
Introducing ActorInfoString: A New Era of Audit Log Accuracy in Exchange Online
Advanced deployment guide for Conditional Access Policy templates
Monday Apr 21, 2025
Monday Apr 21, 2025
Join me to hear about the latest news and update from the Microsoft cloud as well as a deep dive into SharePoint agents. Plenty of AI news is again coming your way in this episode as Copilot spreads its wings and continues to grow across the stack. List in for more details.
Brought to you by www.ciaopspatron.com
Resources
Widespread Microsoft Entra lockouts tied to new security feature rollout
FYAI: How agents will transform business and daily work
Announcing new computer use in Microsoft Copilot Studio for UI automation
Introducing agent flows: Transforming automation with AI-first workflows
Five things for IT administrators to know about SharePoint agent management
How to deploy Microsoft Purview DSPM for AI to secure your AI apps
Transforming security with Microsoft Security Exposure Management initiatives
Microsoft Purview: New data security controls for the browser & network
Step-by-Step Guide : How to enable QR code authentication for Microsoft Entra ID (Preview)
ActiveX disabled by default in Microsoft 365
Achieve greater security with Intune and Microsoft 365
Troubleshooting Windows Feature updates in Microsoft Intune
Azure Files: More performance, more control, more value for your file data
Feature deep dive: Using PDFs in OneDrive and our journey thus far
Monday Apr 07, 2025
Monday Apr 07, 2025
Celebrate the 50 year anniversary of Microsoft. Like them or not you have to admire what they have been able to achieve and opportunities they have provided my business with their products and services. Unsurprisingly, AI was also part of that celebration with a raft of updates worth noting. Purview is big! If you haven't yet dived in then maybe it's time you did. Lots of things to learn in this episode.
Brought to you by www.ciaopspatron.com
Resources
MS turn 50
50 Years of Microsoft | Our future is you
Satya Nadella recreates Microsoft's first product
Microsoft 50th anniversary + Copilot event
AI
Introducing Copilot Search in Bing
Create pages with Copilot in SharePoint
Security
Strengthen data security posture in the era of AI with Microsoft Purview
Microsoft Purview – Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) for AI
Multi-workspace for Multi-tenant is now in Public Preview in Microsoft's Unified SecOps Platform
Threat actors leverage tax season to deploy tax-themed phishing campaigns
Why Windows Autopatch is the smart update solution
New innovations in Microsoft Purview for protected, AI-ready data
New innovations in Microsoft Entra to strengthen AI security and identity protection
Building layered protection: New Microsoft Purview data security controls for the browser & network
Windows 365
Maximize productivity and ROI with Windows 365: New innovations now generally available
Vibe coding
Monday Mar 24, 2025
Monday Mar 24, 2025
Join me for this episode with all the latest news and update from Microsoft as well as my take on the importance of logging as a security basic that many overlook. Plenty of security news in this episode especially around the latest exploits of MSHTA.EXE that you should be prepared for. Listen for all the information.
Brought to you by www.ciaopspatron.com
Resources
Comparing Copilot Chat included with Microsoft 365 to a paid Copilot license
Adobe and Microsoft Empower Marketers with AI Agents in Microsoft 365 Copilot
Introducing Copilot in the Microsoft 365 admin centers
Jailbreaking is (mostly) simpler than you think
Level up your defense: protect against attacks using stale user accounts
Defender XDR - Monthly news - March 2025
AI innovation requires AI security: Hear what’s new at Microsoft Secure
Microsoft Technical Takeoff: Windows + Intune
Continuing with Microsoft Entra: Advanced Identity Management
Phishing campaign impersonates Booking .com, delivers a suite of credential-stealing malware
Take Flight with Microsoft Security Copilot Flight School
Securing Your Nonprofit Environment (Part 1) - Enabling Security Defaults
Securing Your Nonprofit Environment (Part 2): Best Practices to Secure Your Admin Accounts
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Monday Mar 10, 2025
In this episode I provide the benefits that become available once you add and Azure subscription to your Microsoft environment. From pay as you go options with Copilot and SharePoint all the way through adding more security to your environment, Azure contain a range of features that you should consider. I'll also bring you up to date with all the latest news from the Microsoft Cloud, so listen along and enjoy.
Brought to you by www.ciaopspatron.com
Resources
Microsoft 365 E5 Security is now available as an add-on to Microsoft 365 Business Premium
Microsoft Technical Takeoff: Windows + Intune
Azure Lighthouse support for MSSP use of Security Copilot Sentinel scenarios in Public Preview
Get the most out of OneNote with these little-known features
Edit your name in Teams meetings