Audit Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio Agents & Graph Connectors Across Your Tenant

Auditing Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio agents and Graph Connectors is essential to ensure security, compliance, and efficient workflows across your organization. These tools streamline tasks, integrate external data, and enhance collaboration, but without oversight, they can expose sensitive data, create inefficiencies, or lead to compliance violations.

Key Takeaways:

• Why Audit Matters: Unchecked agents and connectors can cause security risks (excessive permissions, insecure sources), compliance failures (violations of GDPR, HIPAA), and workflow inefficiencies (duplicate processes, slow performance).
• What You’ll Learn: How to identify agents and connectors, analyze their performance, check security configurations, and implement compliance monitoring.
• Prerequisites: Ensure proper roles (e.g., Audit Reader, Audit Manager) and licenses (e.g., Microsoft 365 E5, Purview tools) are in place for access and data retention.

Audit Steps:

1. Access Audit Logs: Use Microsoft Purview to track agent activities (creation, updates) and connector events (data flows, permissions).
2. Review Performance Metrics: Analyze session data, user feedback, and error rates to improve agent efficiency.
3. Monitor Data Flows: Check connector permissions, data residency, and synchronization schedules to ensure compliance and productivity.
4. Implement Best Practices: Use tools like DLP policies, sensitivity labels, and conditional access to secure data and streamline governance.

Auditing for Copilot in Microsoft Copilot Studio using Microsoft Purview

Prerequisites and Access Requirements for Auditing

Before diving into an auditing process, it’s crucial to secure the necessary permissions and licenses. For tasks involving Copilot Studio agents and Graph Connectors, you’ll need platform-specific access. Addressing these prerequisites early helps avoid delays and ensures a smoother workflow.

Auditing relies on tools like Microsoft Purview audit solutions, Copilot Studio analytics, and the Exchange admin center for certain tasks. Together, these elements create a foundation for a secure and efficient audit process.

Required Roles and Permissions

It’s always best to assign only the permissions your team needs for the job. This minimizes security risks while still granting access to essential data.

For Microsoft Purview audit logs:

• Use the Audit Reader role to search and export logs.
• Use the Audit Manager role to manage audit settings.

For accessing DSPM for AI features, the Microsoft Entra Compliance Administrator role is required. If your audit involves examining chat transcripts in detail (including prompts and responses), you’ll also need the Microsoft Purview Content Explorer Content Viewer role.

For Exchange auditing tasks, you can assign:

• The Audit Logs role for full audit management.
• The View-Only Audit Logs role for read-only access.

Here’s a quick breakdown of roles and their capabilities:

Component/Activity	Required Role	Capabilities	Location
Basic Audit Log Access	Audit Reader	Search and export audit logs	Microsoft Purview portal
Full Audit Management	Audit Manager	Search, export, and manage audit settings	Microsoft Purview portal
AI Security Insights	Microsoft Entra Compliance Administrator	Access DSPM for AI features	Microsoft Purview portal
Detailed Chat Analysis	Microsoft Purview Content Explorer Content Viewer	View prompts and responses in transcripts	Microsoft Purview portal
Exchange Audit Functions	Audit Logs or View-Only Audit Logs	PowerShell cmdlet access	Exchange admin center

Although the Global Administrator role grants access to all these functions, Microsoft strongly advises against using it for routine auditing. As Microsoft states:

Global Administrator is a highly privileged role and its use should be limited to emergency scenarios

Instead, reserve this role for emergencies to reduce the risk of unintentional changes or security vulnerabilities. For routine tasks, establish a dedicated audit team with roles like Audit Reader or Audit Manager in the Microsoft Purview portal. This ensures secure and consistent access.

Licensing and Platform Requirements

Navigating the licensing requirements for Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio agents and Graph Connectors can be tricky, as different features often require specific subscription levels. Understanding these requirements from the start helps avoid surprises when accessing audit data or implementing governance measures.

• Microsoft 365 Licensing: Most business and enterprise plans include basic audit log retention and search features. However, advanced audit capabilities – like extended retention periods and detailed logging – require a Microsoft 365 E5 or equivalent license.
• Microsoft Purview: While Purview provides the core auditing tools, premium features like Data Security Posture Management for AI may require additional licensing. If you plan to audit AI interactions in detail, verify that your subscription covers these advanced features.
• Copilot Studio: This operates under a separate licensing model, often requiring Power Platform licenses or specific Copilot Studio subscriptions. Higher-tier licenses offer more detailed analytics and longer data retention.
• Graph Connectors: Licensing varies based on the connector type and data source. Microsoft-built connectors are often included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions, while third-party connectors may require separate agreements. Some enterprise connectors also need Microsoft Search or SharePoint Syntex licenses for full functionality.

When planning your audit, don’t overlook data retention requirements. Basic audit logs typically retain data for 90 days, while advanced features can extend retention to a year or more. If your organization has compliance needs for longer data retention, ensure your licenses support this.

To optimize your audit process:

• Use tools like nBold’s governance templates to maximize your audit data’s utility.
• Conduct a licensing audit to identify any gaps, such as teams using features without proper licensing. This helps prevent compliance issues and unexpected costs. Document team access and confirm that your licensing matches your actual usage.

How to Audit Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio Agents

Using Microsoft Purview’s audit tools and built-in analytics, you can monitor and evaluate the performance of Copilot Studio agents. This process not only helps you track agent usage but also ensures compliance with organizational security policies while identifying potential risks.

The audit process revolves around three main areas: accessing audit logs, reviewing performance metrics, and implementing effective data retention strategies. Below, you’ll find the steps to access audit logs and analyze agent performance in detail.

How to Access and Read Audit Logs

To begin, navigate to the Microsoft Purview compliance portal and select Audit from the left menu. Use the search interface to set specific filters that focus on Copilot Studio activities. For instance, configure the Activities filter to capture events such as agent creation, updates, and interactions.

The Date range filter determines how far back your search goes. Standard audit logs retain data for up to 90 days, but with advanced audit features, this period can extend to one year, depending on your licensing. For ongoing oversight, you might want to automate these searches to run weekly or monthly.

When reviewing audit entries, key fields to monitor include:

• User: Identifies who initiated the action.
• Activity: Describes the specific event or operation.
• Item: Specifies the agent involved.
• Details: Provides context about the interaction or changes made.

Additionally, the IP address information can reveal the origin of activities. Pay particular attention to unusual IP addresses or access patterns, especially if they occur outside normal working hours, as these could indicate unauthorized access or compromised accounts.

For deeper analysis, export the logs as a CSV file and use tools like Excel or Power BI to uncover trends and anomalies.

How to Analyze Agent Performance and Usage Data

Beyond audit logs, analytics offer insights into agent performance and user engagement. Access these metrics through the Copilot Studio portal by selecting an agent and navigating to the Analytics tab.

Some of the key performance indicators to review include:

• Session metrics: Total sessions, average session duration, and completion rates.
• User satisfaction scores: Feedback ratings from user interactions.
• Topic performance data: Insights into conversation paths and abandonment rates.
• Error rates and resolution statistics: Information on technical issues affecting the agent’s performance.
• Peak usage times: Patterns of demand throughout the day or week.

You can also gain valuable qualitative insights by reviewing conversation transcripts. These transcripts reveal the types of questions users ask, highlight knowledge gaps, and pinpoint areas for improvement – especially in cases where the agent frequently escalates issues to human support.

For a comprehensive view, cross-reference analytics with audit logs. For example, if analytics show a sudden increase in agent activity, audit logs can help you identify whether this is linked to new user onboarding, a policy update, or external factors driving the demand.

Data Retention and Compliance Best Practices

Managing data retention for Copilot Studio agents requires a careful balance between operational needs and compliance with privacy regulations. Different types of data, such as conversation transcripts, may require distinct retention strategies based on their sensitivity.

Conversation transcripts often contain sensitive information, so it’s critical to manage them in line with your organization’s data classification policies. Configure Copilot Studio to delete transcripts after the standard retention period to support privacy while still allowing for necessary analysis.

If extended retention is required, ensure your licensing supports this capability. Advanced audit features can be used to extend retention periods, which can be helpful for compliance purposes.

For agents handling confidential data, implement sensitivity labels. Microsoft Purview Information Protection integrates seamlessly with Copilot Studio to classify and secure sensitive data. This integration can also enforce retention policies and access controls.

Geographic data residency is another important consideration. Verify that your tenant’s data storage settings comply with regional or industry-specific regulations.

To standardize retention policies across your agents, use nBold‘s governance templates. These templates simplify the application of retention rules and make it easier to demonstrate compliance during audits.

Additionally, privacy regulations like GDPR may require you to locate and delete specific user interactions. To prepare for such requests, maintain clear documentation of your data storage practices and establish processes to respond within the required timeframes.

Consider setting up automated compliance monitoring using Microsoft Purview’s policy features. These tools can alert you to violations, such as agents accessing sensitive data inappropriately or retention policies not being followed.

Lastly, ensure that your backup and recovery procedures for agent configurations and training data align with retention policies. While backups are essential for protecting against accidental deletion, they should not unintentionally extend the retention of data that should be deleted according to your policies.

How to Audit Graph Connectors Across Your Tenant

Just like Copilot Studio agents, Graph Connectors need regular audits to ensure they’re secure and running efficiently across your tenant. These connectors link Microsoft 365 to external data sources – like CRM systems, HR platforms, and knowledge bases – bringing external and enterprise data into Microsoft Graph.

Auditing Graph Connectors involves three main steps: identifying all active integrations, monitoring their data flows for compliance, and evaluating their effect on collaboration workflows. Each connector requires a detailed review to ensure proper functionality and security.

How to Find and Review Connector Integrations

To locate all active Graph Connectors, head to the Microsoft 365 Admin portal. From the left-hand navigation menu, go to Settings, then Search & Intelligence, and finally select Data sources. This will display a full list of all configured Graph Connector integrations.

Each connector will have a unique ID, name, and description. Clicking on a specific connector reveals detailed information, such as its configuration settings, the data sources it connects to, and its operational status.

Pay close attention to connectors with vague names or those that are rarely used. These should be flagged for further evaluation. When reviewing each connector, assess its data sources and permissions. Some connectors might have more access than necessary, potentially exposing sensitive data. Compare these permissions against your organization’s data classification policies to identify any discrepancies.

Keep a record of each connector’s ownership, purpose, last update, and importance in an inventory spreadsheet. This documentation is crucial for compliance audits and helps avoid duplicate or conflicting integrations.

How to Monitor Data Flows and Security

To monitor the security of Graph Connectors, make sure auditing is enabled across your organization and use Microsoft Purview’s logging tools. With auditing turned on, Microsoft Purview generates admin logs that track all data connector activities.

You can access these logs through the Microsoft Purview compliance portal’s Audit log search tool, the Audit Search Graph API, or the Search-UnifiedAuditLog PowerShell cmdlet. Focus your review on authorization and data extraction events.

• For authorization events, look for activities with friendly names like "Approved or denied the app" and operation names such as "ConsentModificationRequest." These events are categorized under the record type "MicrosoftGraphDataConnectConsent" and the workload "Microsoft Graph Data Connect".
• For data extraction and pipeline runs, search for activities labeled "Extraction Run" or operation names like "DataAccessRequestOperation." These events fall under the record type "MicrosoftGraphDataConnectOperation".

To dive deeper, download the connector admin logs from the Microsoft Purview portal under Settings > Data connectors. Key metrics to review include:

• "Import completion time"
• "Items available from source"
• "Items available for import"
• "Items imported successfully"
• "Items failed" and their "Failure Reason" details

Check your organization’s retention policies to ensure logs are kept for the required duration. If needed, create custom audit log retention policies to extend retention periods for specific services or activities.

Once security is assessed, shift your focus to how these data flows impact collaboration within your teams.

How Connectors Affect Collaboration Workflows

Beyond security, it’s important to understand how Graph Connectors shape team productivity and data accessibility. By making external data searchable in Microsoft Search and accessible to Copilot, these connectors change how employees find and use information in their daily tasks.

Analyze search patterns and usage statistics to see how connectors influence team workflows. Teams that previously juggled multiple tools can now access consolidated data directly within Microsoft 365, improving productivity. However, this also creates new dependencies that must be monitored.

Review how connector data integrates into platforms like Teams and SharePoint. In some cases, sensitive information might appear in places where it shouldn’t, raising compliance concerns. Check the access control lists (ACLs) configured during setup to ensure data visibility aligns with your organization’s policies.

Tools like nBold’s governance templates can help enforce consistent data handling practices as your connector ecosystem grows. Consistency is key to maintaining compliance and avoiding misconfigurations.

Gather user feedback to identify any configuration issues or training gaps that might hinder effective collaboration. Additionally, monitor the performance of connectors. Heavy data synchronization or frequent updates from external sources can impact system responsiveness. Keep an eye on performance metrics and correlate them with user experience reports.

If a connector fails, reingestion capabilities allow data recovery within 90 days. Regular monitoring can help you catch and resolve issues within this timeframe, minimizing disruptions to collaboration.

Finally, assess how connector failures affect team workflows. When external data becomes inaccessible through Microsoft 365, teams might revert to using source systems directly, potentially bypassing governance controls and audit trails. Use your audit findings to strengthen your overall governance strategy and maintain seamless collaboration.

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Security, Compliance, and Governance Best Practices

When managing Copilot Studio agents and Graph Connectors at scale, it’s crucial to establish strong security, compliance, and governance frameworks. These tools often handle sensitive data, so your protection strategies need to align with your organization’s risk tolerance and regulatory standards.

How to Set Up Security Controls

Start by implementing Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies in the Microsoft Purview compliance portal. These policies help identify and safeguard sensitive information like Social Security numbers, credit card details, or proprietary data. Configure these policies to monitor data transfers between Microsoft 365 and external systems, ensuring sensitive information isn’t shared without authorization.

For organizations with strict data sovereignty needs, set up geographic data residency controls. For example, ensure European customer data remains within EU boundaries, while U.S. data stays in approved U.S. data centers when connecting to external systems.

Use conditional access policies with multi-factor authentication (MFA) to secure access to Copilot Studio agents. Strengthen these controls by restricting access based on device compliance and geographic location, and require step-up verification for high-risk scenarios.

Establish information barriers to prevent unauthorized data sharing across departments. For instance, if an HR Graph Connector contains salary details, configure these barriers in the Microsoft 365 compliance center to ensure only authorized personnel can access this data. Define which groups can communicate and share information to maintain strict boundaries.

Apply sensitivity labels to all data sources connected via Graph Connectors. These labels can classify and protect content automatically based on its origin. For example, legal documents can be labeled as confidential and encrypted to prevent unauthorized access.

Once these controls are in place, continuously monitor for potential threats using advanced audit and alerting tools.

Compliance Monitoring and Threat Detection

Take advantage of Microsoft Purview’s advanced audit capabilities to set up detailed monitoring dashboards for Copilot Studio agents and Graph Connectors. Customize audit log searches to detect activities like large data exports or unauthorized connector changes. Automate these searches to alert your security team immediately when anomalies are detected.

For more advanced threat detection, integrate with Microsoft Sentinel. Use custom analytics rules to correlate activities across Copilot Studio agents and Graph Connectors. For example, if a user accesses multiple high-value data sources in quick succession through different connectors, Sentinel can flag this behavior and trigger an incident response.

Enable real-time monitoring to detect data exfiltration attempts. Configure alerts to notify your team when large volumes of data are accessed or when connectors sync outside normal business hours. Connect these alerts to your existing security information and event management (SIEM) system for streamlined incident handling.

Monitor your organization’s compliance with industry standards like GDPR, HIPAA, or SOX through compliance score tracking in Microsoft Purview. Use the compliance manager’s recommendations to refine your Copilot Studio and Graph Connector configurations, and review these settings regularly to maintain compliance.

Finally, set up insider risk management policies to identify potential data misuse. These policies can flag unusual behavior, such as employees trying to access information beyond their permissions or attempting to bypass security measures. This helps you spot and address risks early, protecting your organization from insider threats.

How to Use Audit Results and Optimize Your Setup

Once your audit confirms compliance and operational integrity, the next step is to turn those findings into actionable changes. Think of the audit results as a guide to improving security, refining workflows, and getting the most out of your Microsoft 365 setup.

How to Read Audit Data for Improvements

Audit logs are packed with valuable information – if you know where to look. Start by digging into usage patterns and key metrics. For example, examine user adoption rates for different Copilot Studio agents. If you notice low engagement or frequent errors with a specific agent, it might signal the need for adjustments or additional training.

Take a close look at Graph Connector access patterns. Unusual spikes in data retrieval or frequent timeout errors could point to issues like poor data source performance or misconfigured connection settings that need fixing.

Authentication failures are another critical area to review. High failure rates for certain connectors or agents might mean permissions are too restrictive – or worse, there could be unauthorized access attempts. Cross-check these events with your user directory to pinpoint the cause, whether it’s a misconfiguration or a security concern.

Also, pay attention to data flow volumes and timing. If a Graph Connector struggles to sync data during peak business hours, it may be time to consider load balancing or rescheduling syncs to avoid bottlenecks.

Lastly, use your audit retention timeline to establish performance baselines. Comparing current data to historical trends can help you spot seasonal variations or emerging issues before they disrupt productivity.

Workflow Optimization with Real Examples

Using these insights, you can make meaningful workflow improvements by addressing the specific pain points revealed in your audit data. For instance, if repeated authentication failures are a problem, implementing single sign-on (SSO) could streamline access and improve the user experience.

If your logs show that CRM access peaks between 9:00–11:00 AM EST, schedule your Graph Connector syncs to complete beforehand. This ensures users have up-to-date data without slowing down performance during critical hours.

Redundant data access is another area to tackle. Audit logs might show multiple connectors pulling similar data, which adds unnecessary complexity and security risks. Consolidating these connectors can simplify management while maintaining compliance and governance standards.

When audit findings indicate users eventually need elevated permissions, consider adopting a progressive permission model. Start with minimal access and expand it gradually based on actual usage patterns, instead of granting broad permissions upfront.

For recurring issues like connector timeouts during specific periods, automated workflows can save the day. For example, you could set up scripts to restart connections or switch to backup data sources automatically when these problems arise. This kind of automation not only resolves issues faster but also minimizes disruptions to your operations.

Conclusion: Key Points for Effective Auditing

Keeping a close eye on your Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio agents and Graph Connectors is essential for maintaining a secure, efficient, and well-managed digital workspace. Regular audits provide insights that can lead to improved performance, stronger security, and better collaboration throughout your organization.

Prioritize security and compliance. By monitoring authentication patterns, data access logs, and permission usage, you can quickly detect potential threats and ensure data integrity. This is especially critical when integrating external data sources through Graph Connectors, as these connections can introduce additional vulnerabilities. Proactive security measures also contribute to the operational performance tracked in audit logs.

Optimize performance through visibility. Understanding how your agents and connectors are being used allows you to identify opportunities for improvement. Usage patterns and error logs can highlight bottlenecks, underutilized agents, or peak-hour issues. With this information, you can make precise adjustments that enhance both user experience and system reliability.

Streamline governance at scale. Consistent processes and automated oversight are key to managing a complex system effectively. Tools like nBold can help standardize collaboration templates and automate governance workflows, reducing manual oversight. This approach not only ensures compliance but also minimizes the administrative burden of tracking every connector and agent individually.

Audit data serves as a foundation for continuous improvement. Whether you’re troubleshooting authentication failures, fine-tuning data synchronization schedules, or eliminating redundant connectors, these insights guide meaningful refinements to your Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Each adjustment contributes to better system performance and a smoother user experience.

Reliable, secure, and well-managed Copilot Studio agents and Graph Connectors are essential for your organization’s collaboration success. Following the auditing practices outlined here sets the stage for sustainable digital transformation that evolves alongside your business needs. By integrating these insights into your routine processes, you foster secure collaboration and drive ongoing improvements across your Microsoft 365 environment.

FAQs

What are the main security risks of using Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio agents and Graph Connectors, and how can they be addressed?

Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio agents and Graph Connectors come with some notable security risks, including data exposure, over-permissioning, and prompt injection attacks. If permissions aren’t carefully configured, Copilot’s integration with Microsoft Graph can unintentionally grant access to sensitive organizational data or allow unauthorized sharing of information. Additionally, prompt injection attacks – where malicious inputs manipulate how agents operate – can result in data breaches or misuse of the tools.

To mitigate these risks, organizations should focus on proactive access management. This involves regularly auditing permissions to ensure users only have access to the data they truly need. Microsoft offers several tools to assist with this, such as data loss prevention (DLP) features and administrative controls that allow organizations to define user access and monitor connected data sources. For added protection, advanced real-time monitoring tools can track agent behavior and block unsafe actions as they happen, providing an extra layer of security.

How can organizations comply with data retention policies when using Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio and Graph Connectors?

Organizations using Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio and Graph Connectors can rely on Microsoft Purview to effectively manage and monitor data in line with their data retention policies. With audit logs enabled, every user interaction – including prompts and responses – can be tracked, ensuring a detailed record of activity that’s readily available for review.

Additionally, retention policies can be tailored to automatically keep or delete Copilot prompts and responses based on your compliance needs. These features provide a structured way to safeguard sensitive information while aligning with your organization’s data governance goals.

How can I optimize the performance of Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio agents and Graph Connectors?

To get the most out of Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio agents and Graph Connectors, focus on three key areas: monitoring, efficiency, and ongoing refinement. Start by keeping a close eye on performance metrics like session counts, engagement rates, and resolution times. These numbers can reveal where the system is excelling and where it could use some tweaking. Use this data to adjust workflows, ensuring users get the best possible experience.

Set specific goals to measure success – like cutting down response times, boosting accuracy, or eliminating bottlenecks. For agents that pull information from external sources, reduce delays by fine-tuning queries and setting practical time-out limits. Simple actions, such as providing users with quick status updates, can also make interactions smoother and more satisfying.

Finally, make continuous improvement a priority. Regularly review how the system is performing and tackle inefficiencies head-on. Whether it’s through training or expanding the agent’s knowledge base, ensure the system grows and adapts to meet the changing needs of your business.