SharePoint storage optimization was the focus of my session at CollabDays Bletchley Park 2025, a fantastic community event that brought together Microsoft 365 professionals to share knowledge and best practices.
My session, “Do We Really Need to Buy More SharePoint Storage?”, addressed a common challenge: organizations hitting storage limits and wondering if buying more space is the only solution.
…Many organizations reach their SharePoint storage limits and assume the only solution is to purchase additional storage. In most cases, you can avoid extra costs by optimizing what you already have. This article explains how to reduce storage consumption by managing file version history, governing site lifecycle, and leveraging Microsoft 365 Archive for inactive content. Keeping your environment lean not only saves money but also improves Microsoft 365 Copilot quality by decreasing ROT (redundant, obsolete, trivial) data that clutters search and AI responses. By applying these measures, you can control costs, enhance compliance, and improve user experience without unnecessary spending.
…Microsoft 365 Copilot Data Readiness is essential for secure and effective AI adoption. Copilot is transforming the way we work by boosting productivity, creativity, and efficiency across Microsoft 365. But here is the challenge: Copilot surfaces what users already have access to. If your data governance is not in order, sensitive information could be exposed.
So, the big question is:
Is your data ready for Microsoft 365 Copilot?
I recently joined Mark Thompson from The Inform Team for a webinar on this topic. We explored how Copilot interacts with your Microsoft 365 environment, the risks of oversharing, and how to build a secure, governed foundation for responsible AI adoption.
🎥 Watch the full webinar: YouTube Recording
…Microsoft Purview Records Management has become a critical priority for organizations adopting AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot. Because Copilot surfaces everything a user can access, including redundant, obsolete, and trivial (ROT) data, weak governance now directly translates into productivity loss, compliance risks, and potential legal exposure.
In a recent episode of All Things M365 Compliance, I joined Ryan John Murphy and Susan Lamb, Principal Data Governance SME at Infotechtion and former global records management lead at Shell, to explore how Microsoft Purview has evolved and what practical steps organizations must take to clean up their data estate.
…Teams private channel messages are moving to group mailboxes, and compliance managers must act before September 20, 2025, to avoid data loss and compliance gaps.
Microsoft is reengineering private channels to improve scalability and simplify governance. This change impacts Microsoft Purview eDiscovery, retention, and DLP policies.
This update was announced in the Microsoft Teams Blog and flagged in the Microsoft 365 Message Center (MC1134737).
📺 Prefer video? Watch the full episode on YouTube and subscribe for more updates!
…Update (September 2025): This post has been updated to include the latest changes to private channel message storage and compliance.
If you’re managing Microsoft 365, you already know it stores data across Exchange, SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, and more. But do you know exactly where each type of data lives—and which Microsoft Purview tools can help protect it?
In today’s fast-paced digital world, data is the lifeblood of any organization. It is the foundation upon which decisions are made, strategies are formulated, and success is measured. As a user or admin of Microsoft 365, you have access to a powerful suite of tools that enable you to create, store, and manage your data with ease. But with so many applications and features, it can be challenging to know where your data is stored and how to access it. Understanding these Microsoft 365 data storage locations is crucial for effective data management and regulatory compliance.
This comprehensive guide will help you answer the question: Where does Microsoft 365 store your data?
…Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is often misunderstood. Many organizations treat it as a quick fix, something that can be switched on in the portal. In reality, DLP is a strategic capability that requires planning, thoughtful policy design, and continuous improvement to be effective.
In a recent episode of the All Things M365 Compliance Podcast, Ryan John Murphy and I were joined by guest Ewelina Paczkowska, Solution Architect at Threatscape and author of the excellent Welkas World blog, to explore how organizations can maximize the value of Purview DLP.
This blog shares some of the best practices and lessons learned from our discussion.
…AI tools like ChatGPT, Bard, and Claude are transforming the workplace. From customer service to content creation, employees are increasingly turning to them as productivity boosters. But with this innovation comes a challenge:
⚠️ How do you protect sensitive company data from being unintentionally exposed, while still enabling the benefits of AI?
The answer: the Microsoft Purview Browser Extension — a lightweight, privacy-first tool that gives organizations visibility and control over browser activity without becoming intrusive. When combined with Endpoint DLP, Insider Risk Management (IRM), and Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) for AI, it provides a powerful way to govern risky behavior, including shadow AI.
Microsoft 365 AI compliance is fast becoming a critical priority as artificial intelligence transforms how businesses operate. Tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot are reshaping productivity—but they also introduce new challenges for data governance, security, and regulatory alignment.
In a recent episode of the All Things M365 Compliance podcast, I joined Ryan John Murphy and Rafah Knight, founder of Secure AI, to explore how organisations can adopt AI responsibly within Microsoft 365. From mitigating shadow AI risks to aligning with the EU AI Act, we unpacked what legal, IT, and compliance teams need to know.
Here are the key takeaways for managing AI governance and compliance in the Microsoft 365 environment.
…I’m deeply honoured to have delivered the closing keynote with Ryan John Murphy from Microsoft at the IRMS Conference 2025 – The Peaky Path to Progress | 18th – 20th May 2025 | Birmingham, UK an event that continues to be the beating heart of the information management community. With over 400 professionals from across sectors, this year’s theme, “The Peaky Path to Progress,” couldn’t have been more fitting.
As we navigate an era where data is both an asset and a liability, my session—“Protecting Your Sensitive Data with Microsoft Purview: Practical Information Protection and DLP Strategies”—focused on equipping organizations with the tools and mindset to climb their own digital mountains.
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