Microsoft Strengthens Edge for Business with AI-Driven Data Protection and Security Enhancements

On Monday, Microsoft introduced a new feature called inline data protection for its enterprise-focused Edge for Business web browser. This built-in security measure is designed to prevent employees from inadvertently sharing sensitive company data with consumer generative AI (GenAI) apps such as OpenAI ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and DeepSeek. The feature will be expanded to cover additional AI platforms, as well as email, collaboration, and social media applications over time.

“With the new inline protection capability for Edge for Business, companies can mitigate data leakage risks across various interactions, whether employees are directly typing sensitive information into a web application or engaging with a GenAI tool,” Microsoft stated.

Bolstering Cybersecurity in Microsoft Teams

The announcement comes alongside the General Availability launch of new collaboration security measures for Microsoft Teams, aimed at countering phishing attacks. In recent months, cybercriminal groups such as Storm-1674 and Storm-1811 have exploited Teams to deceive users into downloading malware or granting remote access, often leading to ransomware deployment.

The new security enhancements give organizations greater control over communication within Teams, enabling security teams to define trusted tenants, domains, and users while strengthening real-time protection against malicious links and attachments. Additionally, suspicious messages can now be more efficiently flagged and reported to administrators.

Advanced Threat Detection with Real-Time Sandboxing

To further strengthen security, Microsoft is introducing real-time detonation, a system that automatically executes potentially harmful files and URLs in a sandboxed, isolated environment. This process ensures that malicious behavior is detected and neutralized before users can interact with any dangerous content.

Expanding Security Copilot with AI-Powered Agents

Microsoft also announced an expansion of Security Copilot, introducing 11 new AI-driven security agents, five of which are developed by external partners. These AI agents are designed to:

• Analyze data breaches

• Prioritize critical alerts

• Perform root cause analysis

• Enhance compliance management

Set to enter preview next month, the Microsoft-developed Security Copilot agents will assist in handling phishing alerts, data loss prevention, insider risk notifications, vulnerability monitoring, and threat intelligence curation tailored to an organization’s risk profile.

AI as a Necessity for Modern Cybersecurity

According to Vasu Jakkal, corporate vice president at Microsoft Security, the increasing frequency and complexity of cyber threats have surpassed human capabilities, making AI-driven security agents essential for modern defense strategies.

“The sheer volume of attacks is overwhelming security teams still relying on manual workflows and disconnected defenses,” Jakkal said. “This makes it challenging to swiftly triage threats and leverage data-driven insights for proactive risk management.”

Among the latest advancements, the phishing triage agent in Security Copilot will automate the handling of routine phishing threats, allowing human security teams to focus on more sophisticated attacks and strategic defense initiatives.