The security updates worth knowing about
From January 2026, Microsoft Teams began rolling out new default security protections across file sharing and link scanning. Files capable of running malicious code are now blocked from being shared inside Teams chats and channels. Every shared link is scanned before a user clicks it, with a warning displayed if it is flagged as suspicious.
These protections apply automatically. Carden IT Services pushes Teams updates to all managed client environments as part of the standard service, so there is nothing for your IT team to configure or enable. They directly address a growing pattern: attackers using Teams messages to distribute malware or phishing links, knowing that internal-feeling communications receive less scrutiny than emails.
The productivity updates worth knowing about
Copilot meeting summaries are now available via the Calls app immediately after a call ends. If your team runs back-to-back meetings, or if someone returns from annual leave to hundreds of unread messages, Teams AI summaries can get people back up to speed in minutes rather than hours.
Copilot meeting summaries – licence check required
Copilot meeting summaries and Intelligent Recap in Teams are only available on specific Microsoft 365 licences. Check which plan your team is on before expecting these features to be available.
Included: Microsoft 365 Copilot add-on (all plans), Teams Premium licence, Microsoft 365 E5 with Copilot.
Not included: Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Business Standard, Business Premium, Office 365 E1, E3 without the Copilot add-on. Users on these plans will not see meeting summary features unless the add-on is purchased separately.
Not sure which plan you are on? Get in touch and we will check your licence for you.
Audio recaps, a podcast-style AI summary of recorded meetings, are also rolling out on eligible licences. Cross-tenant notifications have improved, making it easier to manage communications across multiple organisations in one view. Teams itself has also received performance improvements, with a dedicated calling process that reduces lag during video calls.
What is coming in March
Express Voice Enrolment is rolling out in March 2026. This feature lets users quickly register a voice profile, which improves the accuracy of meeting transcriptions and AI-generated notes. If your team uses Teams for recorded calls or relies on meeting notes, it is worth prompting everyone to set this up when it arrives. The prompt will appear automatically inside Teams.
What Carden IT Services handles for you automatically
- Teams security updates are pushed to your environment automatically ✓ – Carden IT Services manages all Teams and Microsoft 365 updates across your fleet. The new file-sharing protections and link scanning are already active. You do not need to configure or enable anything.
- Auto-updates are enabled and managed on your behalf ✓ – Your devices are kept current. Security improvements reach your team as soon as Microsoft releases them.
What to communicate to your team
The technical work is done. Your job is to make sure your team knows what has changed so they are not confused or caught off guard. Here is a step-by-step guide to cover the key points:
1. Tell your team about the new file-sharing restrictions
Some file types that could previously be shared inside Teams chats and channels are now blocked. This is a security improvement, not a fault. If a team member tries to share a file and receives a blocked message, they should send it via email or SharePoint instead. Brief your team so the first time they encounter this is not mid-client call.
2. Remind your team that links inside Teams are now scanned
If someone shares a link in Teams and it shows a warning before opening, that warning is there for a reason. Instruct your team not to dismiss it or click through without checking the source. If a link from a trusted colleague shows a warning, it may mean their account has been compromised.
3. Prompt your team to complete Voice Enrolment in March
When Teams prompts users to set up a voice profile in March, encourage them to complete it. It takes under two minutes and directly improves the quality of meeting transcriptions and AI-generated notes. The prompt appears inside Teams automatically – they just need to follow it.
4. Check whether your team is on a Copilot-eligible licence
If your team has been hearing about Copilot meeting summaries and wondering why they cannot see them, it is most likely a licensing question rather than a technical issue. Contact Carden IT Services to confirm your plan and discuss whether the Copilot add-on makes sense for your team.
Ready-to-send internal email template
Customise the bracketed fields and send to your team.
Subject: A few Microsoft Teams updates you should know about
Hi team,
A quick note on some changes that have recently been made to Microsoft Teams.
These have been applied automatically to your account — no action is needed from you to enable them. We just want to make sure you know what has changed so nothing comes as a surprise.
FILE SHARING: Some file types are now blocked from being shared directly inside Teams chats and channels. If you try to share a file and see a blocked message, please send it via email or SharePoint instead. This is a security improvement, not a technical fault.
LINK WARNINGS: If you click a link shared inside Teams and see a warning message before it opens, do not dismiss it without checking. These warnings are there because the link has been flagged as potentially unsafe. If you receive a suspicious link from a colleague, contact them through a separate channel to check they actually sent it.
VOICE ENROLMENT (COMING IN MARCH): Teams will prompt you to set up a voice profile. Please take two minutes to complete this when it appears — it improves the accuracy of meeting transcriptions and AI-generated notes.
[INCLUDE IF APPLICABLE] COPILOT MEETING SUMMARIES: If your licence includes Microsoft 365 Copilot or Teams Premium, you can now access AI meeting summaries directly from the Calls app after a call ends. Look for the summary icon after your next call.
If you have any questions about these changes, please contact [IT CONTACT / HELPDESK].
Thanks,
[YOUR NAME]
Get in touch with our team
If Teams is central to how your business operates and you would like to ensure you are making the most of the platform, the Carden IT Services team is happy to review your current setup.
