Microsoft Purview: Data Protection for Today and Tomorrow

Safeguarding data and utilizing it optimally is crucial for companies, which are now gathering it in huge amounts—with much of this being sensitive information. Infused Innovations partners with Microsoft to lead the cybersecurity revolution with a comprehensive and dynamic data-centered approach. As we continue to observe the 20th anniversary of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, let’s delve into the remarkable features and capabilities of Microsoft Purview, a data management solution for an evolving world.

In our third episode of the Digitally Transformed cybersecurity podcast series, host Justin Starbird is joined by CEO Jeff Wilhelm as well as former Infused Innovations employee Mike Miller, who now works as a senior compliance technical specialist at Microsoft. Mike’s experience and insights shed light on the value of some of the most current and future-oriented solutions available from Microsoft, including Microsoft Purview.

A Holistic Approach to Data Security & Compliance

Cybersecurity can be slowed down and weakened if data points have to be correlated between several different providers. Microsoft takes the most comprehensive approach on the market and encompasses all the cybersecurity and data solutions an organization needs, with every aspect of your data accessible through the central Microsoft Purview portal. Whether it’s unstructured content or structured databases, Purview scans data in every type of environment, finding and addressing vulnerabilities. It also extends its reach to other Azure services such as Azure Data Factory and Synapse Analytics, as well as other innovative tools driving modern data delivery.

One of the remarkable aspects of Microsoft Purview is its integration with Office 365, SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive data. The platform’s ability to scan content so thoroughly is thanks to easy-to-use tools like Content Explorer or Content Search within the Purview portal. This integration enables users to access important information at any given time, streamlining data management processes.

Information Scanning & Data Governance

For organizations grappling with on-premises file shares and SharePoint environments, the Microsoft Purview Information Protection (MPIP, or MIP) Scanner offers a helpful solution. This scanner allows for precise targeting and scanning of on-premises file shares, empowering organizations with enhanced control and security measures.

Microsoft Purview stands as a leading platform in the realm of data governance, which is so crucial with the vast amounts of data that companies now amass. It initiates the process by scanning and identifying data both structured and unstructured, providing organizations with valuable insights. It also makes tracking compliance progress and performance simple through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) like Compliance Score, which shows how well an organization is configured to align with compliance regulations. This not only allows you to measure your progress against prior performance, but it can also benchmark your company against competitors in your field.

Proactive Risk Mitigation

The evolving threat landscape that organizations work in necessitates proactive measures against ongoing risks—both external and internal. It may be surprising to many organizational leaders, but the majority of data leaks are caused by employee actions and lack of training. Microsoft Purview’s Insider Risk Management helps organizations monitor and identify how users are moving data within the organization, and administrators can set custom indicators to track and block actions that lead to vulnerability.

Classifying Data & Preventing Loss

To manage data well, classifying it based on its sensitivity is essential. Microsoft Purview provides the ability for automatic information detection and sensitivity labeling. These labels enable organizations to classify data at granular levels, such as public, general, confidential, and restricted. Purview can automatically match these classifications with corresponding levels of encryption, ensuring a fortified defense against potential leaks.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is another powerful tool within Microsoft Purview to prevent sensitive data from leaving the organization. By leveraging this tool, organizations can maintain control and confidentiality over their information. If an employee doesn’t realize a file shouldn’t be shared, for example, DLP can block it from leaving the organization when they attempt to send it.

Comprehensive Data Protection with Microsoft Purview 

Microsoft Purview stands as a robust data security solution that provides organizations with smart information management. Infused Innovations works closely with Microsoft solutions like Purview to simplify and strengthen protection for organizations of all sizes. Hear more from Jeff and Mike in this episode of Digitally Transformed, and look out for our next blog which will highlight the most cutting-edge AI tools for cybersecurity emerging now.