Create or extend existing sensitivity labels to Azure Purview

They enable organizations to classify and protect documents and emails consistently across their environment, including in Microsoft 365 apps and services, on-premises, on devices, and in third-party apps and services. As businesses increasingly leverage cloud-based solutions for data management, extending sensitivity labels to Azure Purview ensures that data governance policies apply consistently across diverse environments.

Understanding Sensitivity Labels in Azure Purview

Azure Purview is a unified data governance service that helps organizations manage and govern their on-premises, multi-cloud, and SaaS data. By extending sensitivity labels to Azure Purview, you can apply the same classification to data assets within the Azure Purview environment. This includes assets across SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, Azure Data Lake Storage, and other supported Azure resources.

Step-by-Step Process for Extending Sensitivity Labels to Azure Purview

Step 1: Create or Review Sensitivity Labels in Microsoft 365 Compliance Center

Before extending labels to Azure Purview, you first need to ensure that they are created and configured in the Microsoft 365 compliance center. Go to the Microsoft 365 compliance center and review your organization’s existing labels or create new ones as needed.

Step 2: Publish Sensitivity Labels

Once the labels are ready, publish them to make them available for users and services. At this stage, you select the groups, users, or the entire organization that the labels should apply to.

Step 3: Enable Sensitivity Labels in Azure Purview

In the Azure Purview portal, you need to ensure that the sensitivity label feature is enabled. Navigate to the Purview management settings and turn on the classification and labeling features, integrating your sensitivity labels with Purview.

Step 4: Apply Sensitivity Labels to Azure Purview Assets

With the labels published and feature enabled, you can now apply sensitivity labels to data assets in Azure Purview. Labels can be applied in batch or individually, depending on the need:

• Automatic Classification: Use Azure Purview scanning to automatically classify data based on the content and apply labels.
• Manual Classification: Data curators or stewards can manually apply labels to individual assets within the Purview Data Catalog.

Step 5: Monitor and Govern Using the Azure Purview Dashboard

Monitor how sensitivity labels are applied across your Azure Purview assets through the dashboard. This enables you to maintain compliance and respond to potential issues promptly.

Benefits of Extending Sensitivity Labels to Azure Purview

Extending sensitivity labels to Azure Purview brings about numerous benefits:

• Unified Data Protection: Consistency in labeling across Microsoft 365 and Azure resources, allowing for centralized policy management.
• Increased Visibility and Control: Enhanced ability to track and control the access and movement of sensitive data.
• Regulatory Compliance: Assistance in meeting compliance requirements with standardized data classification.
• Data Security: Improved ability to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access or leaks.

Best Practices for Implementing Sensitivity Labels in Azure Purview

• Consistent Labeling: Ensure that labels are clear, consistent, and reflect the levels of sensitivity in your organization.
• Training and Awareness: Educate data owners, stewards, and users about the importance of labeling and how to apply labels.
• Monitor and Review: Regularly review the labeling policies and the application of labels to ensure they are up-to-date with data governance needs.

Conclusion

By extending sensitivity labels to Azure Purview, organizations can enhance their data governance and ensure comprehensive protection of sensitive information across their entire data landscape. The seamless integration of labeling across environments promotes a cohesive data protection strategy, essential for regulatory compliance and mitigating data-related risks. With Azure Purview’s capabilities for data discovery, classification, and insight, sensitivity labels become a potent tool in the arsenal of a Microsoft Information Protection Administrator preparing for the SC-400 certification or managing an existing data governance framework.