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IANS Launches Practitioner-Validated Cybersecurity Intelligence in Microsoft Copilot

In a significant advancement for cybersecurity, IANS recently unveiled the general release of its Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server for Microsoft Copilot. This new integration allows organizations using Microsoft Copilot to embed critical IANS cybersecurity intelligence into the platform. By leveraging the IANS Agent, security professionals can access a wealth of data derived from peer discussions, vendor assessments, and insights from their extensive Faculty network.

The traditional barriers to acquiring actionable cybersecurity insights are increasingly being dismantled through technology integration. With IANS intelligence, Copilot users can enjoy richer, more contextual information when they query for cybersecurity solutions. This enhancement means that responses from Copilot are no longer generic; rather, they reflect real-world applications and outcomes derived from thousands of interactions with IANS faculty and clients.

According to Paul Henderson, Chief Product Officer at IANS, the integration with Microsoft Copilot is a game changer for security teams as it offers not only expert advice but also benchmarks from similar organizations. He emphasizes that while AI is transforming how security queries are made, the trust in veteran practitioners remains crucial for making high-stakes decisions within organizations. Henderson states, “With Copilot, the whole security team can see not just what an expert would advise, but what organizations like theirs actually did and with what results.”

With this synergy, Copilot Chat now allows users to select IANS as a source for their prompts, delivering insights grounded in proprietary IANS intelligence, complete with citations linking back to the comprehensive IANS database. Moreover, the Copilot Cowork feature incorporates IANS as a plugin, enabling users to manage multi-step projects that utilize the same rich intelligence provided by IANS.

The practical implications of this solution are vast. Organizations canBenchmark decisions against peers, gaining perspectives on how similar entities have addressed cybersecurity challenges. This is made possible by leveraging insights from over 4,000 summarized Ask-an-Expert calls and more than 3,500 Faculty polls, along with detailed compensation, budget, and staffing benchmarks drawn from over 600 security leaders.

In addition, organizations can track active threats with current intelligence regarding vulnerabilities, attack strategies, and threat activity, including actionable remediation steps. With more than 300 IANS vendor assessments devoid of vendor bias, companies can effectively evaluate the market. The integration also enables teams to craft executive briefings from the latest security news, outlining actionable plans and insights for leadership.

Furthermore, direct access to IANS faculty through the Ask-an-Expert sessions facilitates deeper, personalized conversations around complex queries. Recognizing that some inquiries demand a nuanced discussion, users can request a consultation with one of the 170+ active security practitioners within the IANS network.

Chantrelle Nielsen, Principal Product Manager at Microsoft, aligns with Henderson’s vision, noting, “Our mutual customers' security teams make high-stakes decisions every day, and the quality of those decisions depends on the information behind them.” The integration of IANS intelligence into Microsoft Copilot thus promises to empower businesses in understanding the decisions made by similar organizations, all while adhering to the safeguards present within the existing Microsoft 365 framework.

As of now, the IANS MCP for Microsoft Copilot is accessible to IANS clients whose subscriptions include MCP access, provided users hold valid Microsoft Copilot licenses. Additionally, the MCP is available on Claude, showcasing the broad applicability and relevance of IANS’s offerings. This groundbreaking integration is set to enhance the cybersecurity posture of organizations across various sectors, enabling them to navigate the complexities of digital threats with informed strategies and practices.

For more details about the IANS MCP Server, interested parties can visit the IANS website.

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About IANS:
IANS serves as a practitioner-sourced intelligence engine that merges data, peer experience, and expert insights tailored for security teams. Their extensive knowledge base encompasses thousands of conversations between client security teams and a network of cybersecurity professionals, ensuring that organizations harness the collective intelligence necessary to strengthen their defenses.