Let’s just say it out loud: AI makes a lot of us uncomfortable.
We’re in the trust business. Our relationships matter. Our reputation matters. So when something this powerful shows up and starts moving as fast as it is, it’s natural to want to slow down and question it.
While we’ve been testing AI for 2 years at Bedel Security, there are still days it causes me some anxiety. And if those of us who work in technology and cybersecurity every day have some hesitation, I can only imagine how this feels for many community bank leaders.
But we can’t let the fear of something new paralyze us. If we don’t evolve with AI, we’ll be left behind.
Because the pace of change isn’t slowing down, it’s accelerating. The first quarter of 2026 has already brought another massive wave of capability, and it’s becoming clear that this isn’t something banks can afford to wait on.
So the question isn’t “Should we use AI?”
It’s: “How do we empower our team with AI so they can better serve our customers—without compromising the trust we’ve built?”
And there lies the real opportunity.
AI isn’t a replacement for your people. It’s a tool. And like any tool, it all depends on how you use it. AI has the ability to help your people move faster, communicate more clearly, and spend more time where it matters most: with your customers.
I feel like most community bankers can get behind anything that helps serve their customers better. But without a clear path forward, it can be hard to take that first step.
If you’re looking for a practical place to begin, start with Microsoft Copilot. Most community banks already operate in Microsoft 365, with documents and collaboration living in SharePoint. Copilot works inside that environment.
That means:
In other words, you’re not introducing something foreign, you’re building on a platform you already trust.
Start Small with Licensing and Use Cases
Don’t roll this out across the bank, instead, start with licensing for a small, trusted group. Focus on simple use cases (emails, meeting summaries, internal documentation). Treat it as a pilot and understand that most of what you create at first won’t be life changing, but you’ll be building a foundation of learning that you can build on – and that’s what is important.
Clean Up Your Data
Understand that Copilot uses your current internal documentation, so it will surface what already exists. If your environment is cluttered, disorganized, or outdated, AI will make that obvious. And it will affect the quality of your results. Make sure you:
Archive old content
Eliminate duplicates
Organize key libraries
Fix Your Permissions
Copilot respects existing user permissions, but it doesn’t fix them. If your users have broad access, Copilot will make it easier for them to locate sensitive information (payroll, board minutes, etc). This is NOT a Copilot problem, it is due to an already existing misconfiguration in privileges in your SharePoint environment. Some tips to clean this up:
Review any directory or file with “everyone” access.
Tighten access to your most sensitive areas.
Test this with your pilot group; have your most trusted users prompt Copilot for sensitive information, then use the results to close the gaps.
Train Your Team to Use AI the Right Way
This is a personal annoyance for me: when someone gives me a copy & paste answer from their favorite AI platform, without any human intervention. I mean… I could have done that!
AI should support thinking, not replace it. Make sure your users have been trained to apply their own judgment and to validate outputs from any AI model, not just Copilot. The goal isn’t AI doing the job, it’s your people doing a better job with AI.
Ensure you have strong authentication, auditing, and other security controls. Copilot is secure by default — but only as secure as the Microsoft 365 controls you’ve already put in place. And while this isn’t really an AI problem, it is good practice to make sure your M365 controls are in line with your organization’s policies such as:
Conditional access
Block legacy protocols
Separate admin controls
DLP
Logging and Audit
Disclaimer: While this is important to take a look at, it’s vaguely written due to the dynamic nature of M365 licensing and the corresponding controls offered. Please consult your managed service provider for more information.
Change is uncomfortable. Change with the potential for total socioeconomic disruption is REALLY uncomfortable. But avoiding AI doesn’t protect your bank—it puts you behind.
If you start small and use tools you already trust, you can empower your team to better serve your customers. That’s how you move forward, without compromising what matters most.
Still not sure how to start, or just want to learn more? Contact our team of security experts at support@bedelsecurity.com to see how our team can help.