Kurt Shintaku's Blog

Copilot in Power Automate reimagines the traditional experience of generative AI, allowing people and machines to work together by using a language that is naturally understood by both—eliminating the need for specialized knowledge.

Get the eBook here:

• DOWNLOAD: Copilot in Power Automate – AI-powered experiences that boost productivity and save time (.PDF, 19pgs)
  https://clouddamcdnprodep.azureedge.net/gdc/gdcrxPyiC/original

Microsoft Build 2024 is coming to Seattle and Online: May 21-23, 2024 PT

Learn from experts, get hands-on with AI, and make connections with peers, Microsoft engineers, and industry leaders.

Mark your calendar.

• Join the email list: https://register.buildinfo.microsoft.com/
• Visit the web site:
  https://build.microsoft.com/en-US/home
• Last year’s Session Catalog & Recordings for Build 2023:
  https://build.microsoft.com/en-US/sessions

Interested in a free course on Azure Optimization?

Build the skills you need to create new opportunities and accelerate your understanding of Microsoft Cloud technologies at a free Microsoft Azure Virtual Training Day from Microsoft Learn. Join us at Azure Optimization training day to see how to operate your cloud architecture and workloads more efficiently. You’ll learn how to modernize your infrastructure to optimize costs and enhance efficiency, reliability, and security.

You’ll also learn to implement security controls, prepare cloud environments and Azure landing zones, and remediate deployed workloads. Get guidance, resources, tools, and best practices to develop an optimization mindset to drive efficiencies across your organization.

Who should attend:

• Technology directors
• Product directors and managers
• IT decision makers
• IT professionals
• Developers

Technical level:

• This is an intermediate-level course. Attendees should be able to credibly discuss, offer perspective, and integrate technology from minimal practical experience.

During this training, you will be able to:

• Understand how to apply cloud optimization best practices, frameworks, and core resources to your organization.
• Learn how to use the FinOps Framework, the Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure, and the Azure Well-Architected Framework.
• Discover how to maximize business value and innovation by improving cloud security, workload migration, and modernization efforts.

Here’s what you can expect:

Part 1:

1. Introduction
2. Azure optimization and FinOps as a mindset overview with demos of Microsoft Cost Management and a FinOps review
3. Break: 10 minutes
4. Design for optimization: Balancing cost and growth within your cloud platform
5. Break: 10 minutes
6. Demo: Prepare your cloud environments for ongoing optimization
7. Closing question and answer

Part 2:

1. Introduction
2. Continuous improvement: Optimize the architecture of your workloads
3. Break: 10 minutes
4. Continuous improvement: Optimize your existing workloads
5. Break: 10 minutes
6. Demo: Review and remediate a workload deployed in production
7. Closing question and answer

Space is limited, so reserve your spot now!

Date/Time:

• February 22, 2024 | 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM | (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
• February 23, 2024 | 12:00 PM – 2:45 PM | (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Registration:

• Microsoft Azure Virtual Training Day:
  Optimization
  https://mktoevents.com/Microsoft+Event/426975/157-GQE-382?wt.mc_id=eventscatalog

Join us for our 4th annual Azure Cosmos DB Conf, a free virtual developer event co-hosted by Microsoft and the Azure Cosmos DB community.

Tune in to the live show on April 16 to learn why Azure Cosmos DB is the leading database for AI and modern app development—then explore more sessions on demand.

• Date/Time:
  April 16, 2024
  9:00AM-12:00PM PST
• Registration:
  https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/reactor/events/21627/

Azure Cosmos DB is a fully managed and serverless distributed database for modern app development, with SLA-backed speed and availability, automatic and instant scalability, and support for open-source PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and Apache Cassandra. Try Azure Cosmos DB for free here. To stay in the loop on Azure Cosmos DB updates, follow us on our Blog, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

PREVIOUS CONFERENCES
For previous year’s Azure Cosmos DB Conf events, check out session recordings here:

• Azure Cosmos DB Conf 2023: Watch the playlist
• Azure Cosmos DB Conf 2022: Watch the playlist

Join us for an insightful webinar dedicated to unveiling the transformative capabilities of Microsoft 365 Copilot, an AI-driven assistant designed to revolutionize productivity within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Copilot represents a leap forward in leveraging artificial intelligence to empower users with intelligent suggestions, automation, and personalized assistance, enhancing the way we work and collaborate.

In this engaging session, our expert panel will provide an in-depth exploration of Microsoft 365 Copilot, demonstrating its functionalities, benefits, and practical applications that drive efficiency and productivity across various business operations.

• Date/Time:
  Wed, Feb 21, 2024, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM PST
• Registration:
  https://msevents.microsoft.com/event?id=3149785980

Interested in what is being patched by each monthly update?  Here are the links that break this down, down to the CVE & whether the vulnerability has been exploited in the wild.

• Deployments – Security Update Guide
  (This is the list of update packages released for each product & version – including if the package is an Extended Security Update, and where to download the update from the Microsoft Update Catalog)
• Vulnerabilities – Security Update Guide
  (This is a view of all vulnerabilities patched across a given time period & what severity they were)
• Release Notes – Security Update Guide
  (This is where you look up all the vulnerability fixes patched for each monthly security update release)

For example, for Windows Server 2012, here are the most recent Extended Security Update rollups that ESU subscribers have received for their end-of-life Windows Server 2012 instances:

• November 14, 2023—KB5032249 (Monthly Rollup)
  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb5008380-authentication-updates-cve-2021-42287-9dafac11-e0d0-4cb8-959a-143bd0201041#Take%20action
  Vulnerabilities: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/releaseNote/2023-Nov
  63 vulnerabilities, 1 known vulnerability exploit, 15 vulnerability more likely to be exploited
  (8.8 Windows Scripting, 7.1 Windows Storage, 7.8 Windows Common Log File System Driver)
• December 12, 2023—KB5033420 (Monthly Rollup)
  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/december-12-2023-kb5033420-monthly-rollup-fcb2ed87-527d-4313-ae01-0c43af80c545
  Vulnerabilities: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/releaseNote/2023-Dec
  37 vulnerabilities, 16 more likely to be exploited
  (7.8 Windows Win32K, 7.8 Windows Kernel, 7.8 Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers, 7.5 Windows Defender, 7.8 Windows Win32K, 7.8 Windows Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS), 7.8 Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver)
• January 9, 2024—KB5034171 (Monthly Rollup)
  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/january-9-2024-kb5034171-monthly-rollup-377e3b9c-c5e0-420b-bc00-179b90c82ea4
  Vulnerabilities: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/releaseNote/2024-Jan
  56 vulnerabilities, 14 more likely to be exploited
  (7.5 Windows Scripting, 7.8 Windows Common Log File System Driver, 8.8 Windows Authentication Methods, 7.8 Windows Win32K, 7.8 Windows Win32K Kernel Subsystem, 7.8 Windows Win32K, 7.8 Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver)
• February 13, 2024—KB5034819 (Monthly Rollup)
  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/february-13-2024-kb5034819-monthly-rollup-67ea3009-44fe-4781-8235-ef8ca210f5b5
  Vulnerabilities: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/releaseNote/2024-Feb
  73 vulnerabilities, 2 known exploits, 13 more likely to be exploited
  (7.8 Windows Kernel, 7.8 Windows Kernel, 7.8 Windows Win32K – ICOMP, 7.0 Windows Kernel)

Is your legal organization sniffing around your org for details around the use of Microsoft artificial intelligence? 

If you have an Enterprise Agreement, here’s the Terms of Use for various Microsoft Artificial Intelligence solutions I found as of February 18, 2024:

• Online Services (All)
• Microsoft Generative AI Service
  https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/product/ForOnlineServices/EAEAS
• Windows & Edge
• Copilot in Windows (PREVIEW) SUPPLEMENTAL TERMS
  https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/privacy/copilot-supplemental-terms
• Copilot in Windows: Your data and privacy
  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/copilot-in-windows-your-data-and-privacy-3e265e82-fc76-4d0a-afc0-4a0de528b73a
• Microsoft 365
• Microsoft Product Terms for Microsoft 365
  https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/productoffering/Microsoft365/EAEAS
• Data, Privacy, and Security for Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365
  https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-copilot/microsoft-365-copilot-privacy
• Azure
• Microsoft Product Terms for Azure
  Azure AI Content Safety
  Azure Machine Learning service
  Azure AI Services
    Azure OpenAI Service
  https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/productoffering/MicrosoftAzure/EAEAS
• Azure Previews (Supplemental Terms of Use)
  Azure Machine Learning (Preview Features)
  Azure AI Content Safety
  Microsoft Generative AI Services Previews
  Azure AI Video Indexer Edge (previews)
  Azure AI Video Indexer Video Redaction (Preview)
  Microsoft Copilot for Azure
  Azure AI Studio
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/support/legal/preview-supplemental-terms/
• Azure OpenAI Service
• Customer Copyright Commitment Required Mitigations for Azure OpenAI Service
  https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/cognitive-services/openai/customer-copyright-commitment
• Code of conduct for Azure OpenAI Service
  https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/cognitive-services/openai/code-of-conduct
• Data, privacy, and security for Azure OpenAI Service
  https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/cognitive-services/openai/data-privacy
• GitHub Copilot (EA)
  Data & Defense of Third-Party Claims
  https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/productoffering/GitHubOfferings/EAEAS
• Dynamics (EA)
• Data Use and Access for Abuse Monitoring
  https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/productoffering/MicrosoftDynamics365Services/EAEAS
• Microsoft Copilot for Sales
  https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/productoffering/Microsoft365/EAEAS

So we recently rolled out a new customer facing readiness initiative called the Azure Enablement Series that features some of the hottest topics and technologies coming out of Microsoft and Azure, presented by our top-notch Technical Specialist team members.

• 2/17/24: Latest in Azure AI Services (55min)
• 1/17/24: Increase your developer productivity with Azure (46min)
• 12/13/23: Everything you need to know about Azure Cosmos DB in 45 minutes (50min)
• 12/06/23 Microsoft Ignite 2023 Announcements Recap (50min)
• 11/29/23: Observability in Azure (53min)
• 01/10/24 Unlock the potential of AI with ease using Semantic Kernel (56min)

You can view our most recent recordings at our new Azure Enablement Series YouTube channel, so please subscribe!

• Azure Enablement Series – A YouTube Channel
  https://www.youtube.com/@WMWAzureEnablementSeries

Learn about Microsoft Copilot for Security, an AI-powered, cloud-based security analysis tool that enables security analyst and IT admins to process security signals and protect at the speed and scale of AI.

Join us for this live learning experience where you will be guided by subject matter experts through the Learn modules below in real time along with developers around the globe. Earn badges, prepare for certifications and Learn Live with a great community! See you there 🙂

DATES/SESSIONS

• February 27, 2024 12:00PM – 1:30PM (Pacific)
  ”Fundamentals of Generative AI”
  
• March 5, 2024 12:00PM – 1:30PM (Pacific)
  ”Fundamentals of Responsible Generative AI”
  
• March 19, 2024 12:00PM – 1:30PM (Pacific)
  “Describe Microsoft Copilot for Security”
  
• March 27, 2024 12:00PM – 1:30PM (Pacific)
  ”Describe the core and embedded features of Microsoft Copilot for Security”

REGISTRATION

• Learn Live: Get started with Microsoft Copilot for Security (All 4 episodes)
  https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/shows/learn-live/microsoft-copilot-for-security/

Join Microsoft President, Collaborative Platforms, Jeff Teper and other product leaders from Microsoft as they highlight the value and benefit of Microsoft 365 innovation.

You’ll hear and see AI innovation, advances in employee experiences, and content services that help automate the flow of work. We are on the cusp of the new leap in productivity – to help you better understand, create, analyze, and collaborate faster than ever. And we’re excited to share all.

The keynote will be a packed with news and demos across Teams, SharePoint, Syntex, OneDrive, and security and compliance across Microsoft. Kick off the Microsoft 365 Conference to understand the strategy and vision – clarity on where Microsoft is taking productivity into the future.

Oh.  And there’s 150 sessions to attend including:

• Be Your Own Copilot: How to Create Your Own Generative AI Assistant
• Battle of the Forms: Microsoft Forms vs. Power Apps vs. SharePoint Forms
• Beyond eDiscovery – Exploring Additional Use Cases for M365 Purview
• Boosting Employee Development with Viva Goals and Copilot
• Bring Together All Your Tasks and Plans with the New Microsoft Planner App for Teams
• Data Recovery Options for SharePoint/OneDrive
• Data Lifecycle and Records Management – Tales from the Trenches
• Data Security Breach in Microsoft 365, Now What?
• …

…and 18 workshops to participate in:

• AI & Copilot: Preparing, Piloting, Paths To Success/Scale, & Plugins 
• Guard and Protect: Microsoft 365 Security Unleashed
• Power Apps Fundamentals: Extending SharePoint into Low-Code Apps and Forms (2024 edition)
• Governance for Microsoft 365, the Power Platform and Your Copilots
• Build and Extend Your Own Copilot Using Microsoft Copilot Studio
• Deep Dive into Data Protection with Microsoft Purview
• Power Automate Cloud Flows Hands-on Workshop for Microsoft 365 Power Users
• SharePoint Premium Fundamentals Workshop: Realizing AI Content Management in Your Daily Work Life
• …

Register today!

• Dates
  April 30, May 1 & 2, 2024
  (Workshops: April 28, 29 & May 3)
• Location
  Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort
  1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd
  Orlando, FL 32830
• Registration:
  https://m365conf.com/

(p.s. Ping me if you’re a customer of mine for a discount code!)