💡Security Copilot Cost Optimization: Save Big, Defend Better

Security Copilot is transforming how security teams operate—streamlining incident response, enhancing threat hunting, and accelerating triage. Effective Security Copilot Optimization is essential, as costs can escalate quickly if not managed wisely.

The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice capability to stay within budget. Here are practical, proven strategies to help you get the most out of Security Copilot—without the surprise bills using these Security Copilot cost optimizations

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1. 🎯 Right-Size Your Agent Usage

Each custom agent consumes compute—and if connected to Defender or Sentinel, it can quietly rack up usage.

Tips to cost optimize:

• Audit unused agents: Disable or delete those that are rarely used.
• Use scheduled execution instead of real-time when immediacy isn’t critical.
• Consolidate logic across playbooks to avoid duplication.

🛠 Use the “Agent Usage Report” in the Security Copilot portal to identify top consumers.

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2. 📉 Reduce Query Overhead in Sentinel Integrations

Security Copilot queries Sentinel to generate insights—but those queries can drive up Log Analytics costs.

Tips to optimize:

• Use narrower KQL timeframes (e.g., “last 24 hours” vs. 30 days).
• Specify only necessary tables or fields in prompts.
• Avoid looping queries—build reusable prompt templates instead.

🚫 Don’t ask Copilot to “review all Sentinel incidents.” Scope it down!

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3. 🧠 Rethink Licensing Needs

Security Copilot requires Microsoft 365 E5 and other security solutions—but not everyone needs full access.

Tips to optimize:

• Limit licenses to SOC analysts, threat hunters, and IR leads.
• Route integrations through shared service accounts.
• Regularly review and clean up inactive licenses.

📋 Use Microsoft Admin Center > Billing > Licenses to manage assignments.

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4. 🔄 Automate Only Where It Pays Off

Automation can be a time-saver—or a cost trap.

Tips to optimize:

• Focus on high-volume, high-cost repetitive tasks like:
  • Alert summarization
  • IOC enrichment
  • Incident tagging
• Avoid automating low-frequency, low-value queries.

⚖️ Run a cost-benefit analysis before deploying high-frequency agents.

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5. 📊 Monitor & Set Budgets Using Azure Cost Management

Security Copilot costs often stem from Sentinel, Defender, and Log Analytics usage.

Tips to optimize:

• Set budgets and alerts in Azure for Copilot-related services.
• Use resource tagging to track costs by team or initiative.
• Review “Cost by Service” reports to identify top contributors.

 

📈 Link Copilot with Azure Cost Management dashboards for full visibility.

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6. 🧪 Embrace Prompt Engineering (Yes, Really!)

Without understanding how to interact with AI properly, your results will be sub-par. You can review the post specifically on prompt engineering here: Security Copilot Prompt Engineering Strategies for Success

Tips to optimize:

• Stop using AI like a search engine. Instead, feed it data (via plugins or integrations) and ask it to reason, compare, or refactor.
• Leverage repeatability: Use Promptbooks, Logic Apps, or Agents to codify what works.
• Share effective prompts across teams to avoid wasted SCUs and duplicated effort.

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7. 🧩 Integrate AI Into Real Workflows

Don’t just “kick the tires.” Ensure pilots are tied to real use cases.

Example: Use AI to prioritize alerts based on your organization’s unique risk profile—not just generic severity scores.

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8. 📏 Measure What Matters

Use metrics like MTTR (Mean Time to Respond) before and during AI implementation.

Why it matters:

• Helps quantify value beyond anecdotal wins.
• Recognizes that value is persona-dependent—what’s low value for a senior analyst may be high value for a junior one.

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🔚 Final Thoughts

As we finalize this series, I want to thank Rick Kotlarz for his guidance and time during this series. I personally have learned a lot about the ways we can make Security Copilot better. I want to tell you that Security Copilot is a game-changer—but only if used strategically. By applying these cost-saving and value-maximizing strategies, you can unlock its full potential without breaking the bank.

Security Copilot Cost Optimization isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing the right things, efficiently.

If you missed others in this series, please see Blog Posts – Its Security Day with Mike

For other trainings at Microsoft, I encourage readers to review these:

Microsoft Security Copilot Flight School | Microsoft Learn