Like driverless cars and hoverboards, AI agents are no longer some shiny future tech. They’re already woven into the fabric of many UK businesses on a daily basis. And Microsoft’s Copilot AI agents make it easier than ever for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to automate repetitive tasks, reduce manual admin and boost productivity.

But (and there’s always a ‘but’) while the benefits are real, so are the risks. If you’re thinking about introducing Copilot agents to your business, or want to get to grips with ones you’ve already deployed, this blog’s for you.

What are AI agents?

Not to be confused with CIA agents, AI agents (like those built into Microsoft Copilot) are autonomous tools that streamline your work and processes. But, like MI5 and CIA agents, they work undercover on covert operations.

Copilot AI agents work behind the scenes across Microsoft 365 – Teams, SharePoint, Outlook and beyond. They act on their own based on triggers, goals and contextual information. And that’s a key point. Unlike traditional apps which need you to open, activate and click around, these agents don’t need you to get them going. They do it anyway.

Key features of AI agents:

Autonomous – They don’t wait for instructions.

Persistent – They keep running, even if the user logs off.

Connected – They can talk to multiple systems (and even other agents).

Quick to build – Low-code tools and templates make it easy.

What benefits do AI agents bring to your business?

It’s no big surprise that, according to a recent PwC survey, 79% of respondents already use AI agents. And 66% of those using agents say they’re seeing measurable productivity benefits.

Let’s dig deeper into these productivity benefits. When properly embedded into your Microsoft 365 environment, they can genuinely transform how your team works daily. But how exactly can Copilot agents be game-changing for SMBs?

Less admin, more innovation

When Copilot agents handle the repetitive stuff like summarising meetings, finding documents and responding to common queries, your team can focus on high-value work. Those tasks on the backburner can finally get attention. Innovative, creative projects become viable.

More consistent, reliable processes

Once set up, AI agents follow the same process every single time – without getting bored. So rather than someone spending 30 minutes each day summarising Teams threads and emails or pulling data from SharePoint, an AI agent can do it automatically and consistently.

Time and cost savings

Agents can pick up tasks normally handled by junior staff or admin that has to be outsourced. That means you can reduce your overheads.

Faster access to insights

Because agents can analyse data across apps in real time, they help uncover trends or risks sooner than a team member would. Your team can spend more time responding to the analytics, rather than pulling the data.

Customised support

AI agents aren’t bog standard. You can easily create custom AI assistants for specific functions within your business such as IT help desks or customer support. They can find answers from your internal documentation and automate simple workflows.

Efficiency gains for new teams

Whether it’s onboarding new staff, answering FAQs or managing IT support queries, AI agents can help smaller teams do more, faster.

What risks do AI agents bring to your business?

There’s no disputing the many benefits that AI agents can bring to your business. But for every yin, there’s a yang. And there are pitfalls to AI agents that you must take into consideration.

AI agents aren’t “set and forget” tools. Without proper management, they can expose your business to real risks. They include:

Data exposure: An agent might accidentally surface sensitive SharePoint content or Teams chats. Or they could send a report to the wrong person for example.

Shadow AI: Without governance, employees can create and run agents on their own. Without oversight, these rogue agents can introduce risk.

Compliance blind spots: Agents need to comply with GDPR, HIPAA and ISO standards just like human users. But without monitoring, they can miss the mark.

Orphaned agents: When an employee leaves, their agent could keep running with access to the same data. That’s a hidden vulnerability.

Prompt injection attacks: Criminals can manipulate agents into leaking data or triggering actions via embedded prompts.

Security steps to take

AI agents can be safe, if the right security protocols are put in place. Here’s how to make sure you stay in control.

1. Establish strong identity and access controls

Treat agents like users. Use tools like Microsoft Entra ID to give each agent a unique, trackable identity. Enforce conditional access and only grant necessary permissions and no more.

2. Protect your data

Apply Microsoft Purview sensitivity labels to restrict what agents can surface. Enforce Data Loss Prevention (DLP) rules to avoid oversharing.

3. Monitor and audit agent activity

Use Microsoft 365 Audit Logs to keep tabs on agent activity across Microsoft 365, Teams and SharePoint. Look out for anomalies.

4. Create clear governance policies

Define who can create agents and under what conditions. Clarify what their lifecycle looks like, from creation and monitoring to decommissioning.

Ready to make AI work for you, not against you?

Here’s the thing. The genie isn’t going back in the bottle. AI agents are here to stay. When used well, they give SMBs like yours a real edge. But without the right approach, they can become a real security headache.

That’s where Mirus comes in. We can help you get all the upside of AI with none of the chaos. We can help you implement pilot agents safely, in the right parts of your business. Need help with strategy? Let us create clear rules and governance frameworks. Security, compliance, ongoing monitoring? It’s a yes to all of those crucial aspects too.

Let’s talk about how to make Copilot agents a safe, secure and smart part of your business.