Tutorial / Cram Notes
In the context of SC-400: Microsoft Information Protection Administrator exam, understanding how to implement document fingerprinting is crucial, as it aligns with the exam’s focus on creating and managing sensitive information protection policies.
Basics of Document Fingerprinting
Document fingerprinting involves creating a digital signature or pattern (referred to as the fingerprint) based on a form or document containing sensitive information. Once created, this fingerprint can be used to detect and protect any documents that match the same pattern.
For example, if an organization has a standard contract form that contains specific language or structure, a document fingerprint can ensure that any variation of that form, even with different customer data filled in, is recognized as containing sensitive information.
Steps to Implement Document Fingerprinting with Microsoft Information Protection
Microsoft Information Protection (MIP) provides the capability to implement document fingerprinting through the use of sensitive information types and policies. The steps for implementation are as follows:
1. Identify Sensitive Information
The first step is to determine what constitutes sensitive information in your organization. This might include personal identification numbers, financial details, health records, or proprietary data unique to your company’s operations.
2. Create a Document Fingerprint
Within the Microsoft 365 compliance center:
- Navigate to Data classification > Sensitive info types.
- Click on “Create” to define a new sensitive information type.
- Choose “Use a document to create”.
- Upload the template document that will act as your fingerprint (e.g., a standard contract, a patent application form, etc.).
3. Configure Detection Rules
After uploading the document, you will need to configure detection rules that determine conditions under which content is considered sensitive. Rules can be based on the presence of certain information that matches the fingerprint, as well as context such as proximity to certain keywords or the cumulative amount of matching information.
4. Test Your Fingerprint
Before finalizing, it is essential to test the fingerprint against a sample set of documents to ensure that it properly identifies content that should be classified and protected, and does not overreach by classifying unrelated documents.
5. Create and Apply a Policy
Once you’ve created and tested your fingerprint:
- Create a policy in the Microsoft 365 compliance center.
- Navigate to Information protection > Labels > Create a label, and define the settings and permissions for documents that match your fingerprint.
6. Monitor and Report
With the policy applied, it is important to regularly review matches to check for both false positives and negatives, to adjust your fingerprint or rules as necessary.
Example of Document Fingerprinting in Action
Consider a financial institution that frequently processes loan applications containing sensitive customer information. By creating a fingerprint of the loan application template, the institution can ensure that any completed applications are automatically detected and labeled appropriately.
This would involve configuring a label with encryption to ensure that only authorized personnel can access the documents, regardless of where the document is stored or with whom it is shared. The policy might look like this:
| Policy | Action |
|---|---|
| Access Permissions | Restrict access to Loan Department and Management |
| Visual Marking | Apply a watermark to designated documents |
| Auto-Labeling | Enable for content matching the document fingerprint |
Advantages of Document Fingerprinting
- Precision: It allows for high-precision identification of sensitive content based on the organization’s specific documents.
- Automation: Once configured, it automates the classification and protection of content, reducing human error and manual labor.
- Adaptability: It’s adaptable to a wide range of document types and sensitivity levels.
Conclusion
Implementing document fingerprinting in the context of SC-400 Microsoft Information Protection Administrator responsibilities helps keep sensitive information secure and managed throughout its lifecycle. The capabilities provided through Microsoft Information Protection enable administrators to efficiently enforce data governance policies, promoting a secure information handling environment within their organizations.
Practice Test with Explanation
True or False: Document fingerprinting is a data loss prevention feature that can create a classification rule based on a form used as a template.
- Answer: True
Document fingerprinting in Microsoft Information Protection is indeed a feature that allows organizations to use a form or document as a template to create a classification rule for identifying and protecting similar content.
Document fingerprinting is available in which of the following Microsoft services? (Select all that apply)
- A) Microsoft 365 Compliance Center
- B) Microsoft Azure
- C) Microsoft Defender for Office 365
- D) Microsoft Exchange Online
- Answer: A) Microsoft 365 Compliance Center, D) Microsoft Exchange Online
Document fingerprinting is available through the Microsoft 365 Compliance Center and can be applied to content in Microsoft Exchange Online.
True or False: Once you have created a document fingerprint, you can edit the fingerprinted document to update the classification rule.
- Answer: False
After creating a document fingerprint, you cannot edit the fingerprinted document. If changes are required, you have to create a new document fingerprint based on the updated document.
What is the minimum sensitivity label that must be applied to a document in order to use it for fingerprinting?
- A) Confidential
- B) Public
- C) General
- D) No sensitivity label is required
- Answer: D) No sensitivity label is required
Document fingerprinting does not require a sensitivity label to be applied to the document used as the template for creating the rule.
True or False: Document fingerprinting can be used to detect social security numbers and credit card numbers.
- Answer: False
Document fingerprinting is designed to identify documents that are similar to the template provided, such as forms with structured layout, rather than detecting specific types of sensitive information like social security or credit card numbers.
Which format is not supported for creating document fingerprints?
- A) .txt
- B) .docx
- C) .xlsx
- D) .pdf
- Answer: A) .txt
Document fingerprinting supports documents in .docx, .xlsx, and .pdf formats among others. The plain text format (.txt) is not supported for creating document fingerprints.
When using document fingerprinting, which of the following is a recommended best practice?
- A) Use complex documents with many unique values
- B) Use simple documents that contain generic content
- C) Use a sample of the form that has been completely filled out
- D) Use an empty form that includes the structure but not the specific content
- Answer: D) Use an empty form that includes the structure but not the specific content
It is recommended to use an empty form or template that contains the structure of the document but without any specific content filled out, as document fingerprinting relies on this structure to identify similar documents.
True or False: Document fingerprinting is capable of detecting partial matches of the content from the base document.
- Answer: True
Document fingerprinting is designed to identify documents that are similar to the template, which includes partial matches where substantial parts of the document match the fingerprinted template.
How many document fingerprints can you create per tenant in Microsoft 365?
- A) Up to 10
- B) Up to 50
- C) Up to 100
- D) Unlimited
- Answer: B) Up to 50
As per Microsoft’s limitations, a tenant can create up to 50 document fingerprints.
What is the first step to implement document fingerprinting in Microsoft 365?
- A) Select sensitivity labels to apply to fingerprinted content
- B) Create a data loss prevention (DLP) policy
- C) Upload the document template in the Security & Compliance Center
- D) Configure alerts for when fingerprinted content is shared
- Answer: C) Upload the document template in the Security & Compliance Center
The first step is to upload the document template in the Security & Compliance Center in order to create a document fingerprint.
True or False: A document fingerprint can be shared directly with external partners for better collaboration.
- Answer: False
Document fingerprints are tools used internally within an organization to help identify and protect sensitive information. They are not shared with external entities.
Which of the following actions can you take with the content that matches a document fingerprint within a DLP policy? (Select all that apply)
- A) Block the content from being shared externally
- B) Notify the user who shared the content
- C) Encrypt the content automatically
- D) Delete the matching content automatically
- Answer: A) Block the content from being shared externally, B) Notify the user who shared the content, C) Encrypt the content automatically
With DLP policies, you can configure actions such as blocking the content from being shared externally, notifying the user, or encrypting the content. Automatically deleting content is not a typical action taken based on a policy match, as it would be a severe and potentially disruptive action.
Interview Questions
What is document fingerprinting in Microsoft 365’s Information Protection feature?
Document fingerprinting is a way to identify and protect sensitive information within digital documents.
How does document fingerprinting work in Microsoft 365?
Document fingerprinting works by creating a unique “fingerprint” of a document based on its content, which can be used to identify and classify sensitive information.
What are the benefits of implementing document fingerprinting in Microsoft 365?
The benefits of implementing document fingerprinting in Microsoft 365 include improved compliance, enhanced protection, and improved efficiency.
What are some examples of sensitive information that can be identified through document fingerprinting?
Examples of sensitive information that can be identified through document fingerprinting include financial information, personal health information, and confidential business information.
Can an organization customize the fingerprinting process to suit their specific needs?
Yes, organizations can customize the fingerprinting process to suit their specific needs.
How can an organization create a document fingerprint in Microsoft 365?
An organization can create a document fingerprint in Microsoft 365 by uploading a document or selecting a sample document to create a fingerprint.
What are some tips for reviewing the results of document fingerprinting in Microsoft 365?
Tips for reviewing the results of document fingerprinting in Microsoft 365 include ensuring that the fingerprint accurately identifies the sensitive information and refining the fingerprint as needed.
Can document fingerprinting be used in conjunction with other security measures?
Yes, document fingerprinting can be used in conjunction with other security measures to protect sensitive information.
How can employees be trained on the use of document fingerprinting in Microsoft 365?
Employees can be trained on the use of document fingerprinting in Microsoft 365 through workshops, online training, and regular communication.
Can document fingerprinting be used to identify sensitive information in non-English documents?
Yes, document fingerprinting can be used to identify sensitive information in non-English documents.
What are some best practices for implementing document fingerprinting in Microsoft 365?
Best practices for implementing document fingerprinting in Microsoft 365 include testing the fingerprinting process, refining the fingerprinting process as needed, and training employees on its use.
Can document fingerprinting be used to classify non-text documents?
Yes, document fingerprinting can be used to classify non-text documents, such as images or PDFs.
What is the difference between document fingerprinting and data loss prevention?
Document fingerprinting is a way to identify and protect sensitive information within digital documents, while data loss prevention is a comprehensive approach to identifying and preventing the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information.
Can document fingerprinting be used to identify sensitive information in previously stored documents?
Yes, document fingerprinting can be used to identify sensitive information in previously stored documents.
What is the process for refining the fingerprinting process in Microsoft 365?
The process for refining the fingerprinting process in Microsoft 365 involves reviewing the results, modifying the fingerprint as needed, and retesting the fingerprint.
Implementing document fingerprinting can really streamline the detection of sensitive information.
What are the initial steps to implement document fingerprinting for the SC-400 exam?
Thanks for this insightful blog post.
Any specific tools within Microsoft 365 for effective document fingerprinting?
Can document fingerprinting be used for all types of files?
I appreciate the detailed steps. This will definitely help in my SC-400 prep.
How do you handle false positives during the implementation?
Is there an alternative to document fingerprinting for protecting sensitive information?