As AI tools rapidly transform the workplace, Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 has emerged as a powerful solution to improve how teams collaborate, communicate, and get work done. But with a price tag of $30 per user per month, many business leaders are asking: Is Copilot really worth it?
According to a recent Forrester Total Economic Impact (TEI) study, the answer is a strong yes—provided your organization is ready to deploy it effectively and securely. Let’s explore what the data says, what value Copilot can bring, and how companies like Varonis help reduce the security risks that come with adopting AI.
1. A Data-Backed Case for Copilot
Forrester’s TEI study surveyed over 350 business and IT decision-makers and interviewed early adopters of Microsoft Copilot. The findings point to significant financial and operational gains:
- ROI between 112% and 457%
- Net present value (NPV) between $19.1M and $77.4M
- Onboarding time reduced by up to 30%
- Productivity improvements from AI-assisted document creation
- Up to 4% revenue growth through better customer engagement
- Operational savings of 0.7% in total expenditures
These numbers reflect not just small process improvements but transformative impacts across sales, operations, HR, and more.
2. Copilot’s Benefits Go Beyond Speed
At its core, Microsoft Copilot integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 applications like Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams. It helps users draft emails, summarize meetings, analyze data, and automate repetitive tasks.
Some standout benefits include:
- Faster onboarding: AI helps new hires ramp up quickly with guidance and context.
- Time savings: AI-generated suggestions mean fewer manual edits.
- Enhanced creativity: Templates and content cues help break writer’s block.
- Smarter collaboration: Copilot surfaces relevant files and data during teamwork.
3. But What About Security?
One of the biggest concerns with generative AI in the workplace is data security. Microsoft Copilot uses a user’s existing Microsoft 365 permissions to determine access—but managing permissions across sprawling file systems and collaborative platforms can be messy.
That’s where Varonis steps in.
Varonis complements Microsoft’s native controls by offering:
- Real-time monitoring of data accessed by Copilot
- Detection of unusual Copilot usage
- Automatic enforcement of least privilege access
- Proactive data protection against both human and AI misuse
This means that organizations can adopt Copilot confidently, knowing that sensitive information is guarded from accidental exposure.
4. Choosing the Right Copilot for Your Needs
Microsoft now offers several Copilot options beyond just M365:
| Copilot Version | Use Case | Pricing |
| Copilot for Microsoft 365 | Office productivity in Word, Excel, Teams, etc. | $30/user/month (annual commitment) |
| GitHub Copilot | AI-assisted coding for developers | Up to $39/user/month |
| Microsoft Security Copilot | SOC and IT security response automation | $4/hour (pay-as-you-go) |
| Copilot for Azure | AI-driven cloud infrastructure management | Free during preview |
| Copilot Studio | Custom Copilot creation and workflow personalization | $200/tenant/month |
Selecting the right Copilot depends on your organization’s goals—whether it’s boosting frontline productivity, securing your environment, or enabling developer agility.
5. Is Copilot Worth It?
Yes—but not blindly.
While the potential returns are substantial, success depends on a thoughtful deployment strategy. Early adopters emphasized the need to:
- Prepare internal data, workflows, and processes
- Train employees on AI best practices
- Secure sensitive information before rollout
- Start with controlled pilot programs to assess impact
As the Forrester study concluded, “These transformations increased revenues, lowered internal and external operating costs, and improved employee experience and company culture.”
6. Varonis: Your Copilot Deployment Safety Net
Security shouldn’t be an afterthought. By integrating with Microsoft 365, Varonis helps organizations prepare for and monitor Copilot usage, providing:
- Copilot Readiness Assessments (free for qualified orgs)
- Real-time risk dashboards
- Automated access controls and remediation
With Varonis, you can unlock the productivity promise of Copilot while protecting your data from day one.
Final Takeaway
Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 isn’t just a shiny new tool—it’s a potential game-changer. But unlocking its full ROI requires preparation, the right partners, and a strong security foundation. The organizations that move smartly and early will be the ones best positioned to lead in the AI-driven workplace.
Start small, secure your environment, and scale with confidence.