With cloud computing dominating business operations, protecting sensitive information is a crucial component of an effective cybersecurity strategy. Endpoint securitycond for devices used by employees is more critical than ever. Microsoft offers a robust integrated solution for protecting data, called Microsoft Information Protection (MIP). MIP helps business users classify, label, and safeguard sensitive data not only within Microsoft 365 and integrated environments, but also across other platforms.
Using consistent security measures and compliance policies, MIP addresses the challenges of increasingly complex regulatory requirements and evolving data threats. Let us get started with Microsoft Information Protection and Microsoft Purview’s capabilities, and dive into a clear understanding of how they help secure business information effectively.
MIP and Microsoft Purview:
Microsoft Information Protection (MIP), as iterated earlier, is the broader framework Microsoft created to help organisations classify, label, and protect sensitive information across Microsoft 365, Azure, and third-party services. It includes tools for data discovery, classification, encryption, and access control. Microsoft Purview Information Protection is the product family within Microsoft Purview (formerly Compliance and Governance tools) that delivers the features of MIP.
| Microsoft Information Protection (MIP) | Microsoft Purview Information Protection | Microsoft rebranded MIP under the Purview umbrella. It’s the same set of tools, just a part of Microsoft’s broader compliance and governance suite. |
| Focus | Focus | Both provide data classification, labelling, encryption, and access controls to keep sensitive information secure across Microsoft 365, Azure, and third-party apps. |
| Use | Use | Organisations use these tools to discover sensitive data, apply labels (e.g., Confidential, Internal), and enforce protections such as encryption or restricted sharing. |
What is Microsoft Information Protection (MIP) or MMIP?
Microsoft Purview Information Protection is a comprehensive data governance and protection platform designed to provide visibility, control, and security across your entire data estate. It covers on-premises infrastructures, hybrid cloud setups, and Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms, ensuring detailed data protection.
MIP “follows” data regardless of where it resides or travels, using advanced automated technologies to discover, classify, and protect sensitive content. Core protection mechanisms include encryption, access control, and visual markings, which are applied uniformly in accordance with established policies. This approach ensures that sensitive information remains protected throughout its entire lifecycle, without hindering productivity or regulatory compliance efforts.
Features include:
Automated Data discovery and classification: This detects sensitive information continuously across the enterprise data environment. To classify content, MMIP utilises built-in templates or custom rules that incorporate pattern recognition and keyword analysis.
Sensitivity Labels: These digital marks classify data for protection purposes and can be assigned manually by users or through preset policies based on content or context. This protection can be enforced through encryption, access restrictions, or information markings that persist even when data moves outside the business.
Protection using encryption and access policies: Protection features include Rights Management encryption, which secures both data at rest and in transit. Additionally, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) rules detect and block risky data activities. MIP applies encryption based on sensitivity levels, with options to use organisational or customer-provided encryption keys. Access controls allow only authorised personnel to read or modify protected information, thereby minimising the risks of unauthorised exposure.
Trainable classifiers: Besides pattern-based classifiers, MIP offers trainable classifiers that learn from examples indicated by organisations. This enhances the relevance and precision of identifying custom or industry-specific sensitive data.
MIP Advanced features:
Continuous automated discovery: MIP continuously scans cloud and on-premises data stores in real-time to uncover sensitive data that might otherwise go unidentified. Machine learning capabilities enhance pattern recognition and reduce false positives, while automated label recommendations support user productivity.
Visual markings: Customisable headers, footers, and dynamic watermarks on documents and emails inform users instantly about the sensitivity level of a file. These stay embedded even when files are copied or saved as new versions, reinforcing secure data handling practices.
Multi-Level encryption: Integration with Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) and Double Key Encryption provides organisations with direct control over encryption keys, suitable for highly confidential or regulated information.
Granular rights management: Stakeholders can control what authorised users can do with sensitive content, including viewing, editing, printing, or sharing. Time-bound access, offline restrictions, and the ability to revoke access dynamically add layers of security even after data leaves the premises.
Seamless Microsoft 365 Ecosystem Integration:
MIP works natively with Microsoft 365 apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint. The solution automatically classifies content during creation or editing, enforces encryption and restrictions on emails and documents, and monitors chat and file sharing in Teams, ensuring secure collaboration without disrupting workflows.
Integration with Azure and Hybrid Environments:
Microsoft Purview Information Protection extends protection to cloud data through integration with Azure Information Protection. It applies labels and encryption to data stored in Azure, controlling permissions by user roles and identities. This extension is vital for organisations using cloud platforms alongside on-premises infrastructure.
For hybrid environments, Microsoft Purview provides a unified data governance framework that monitors and protects sensitive data as it moves between local and cloud systems. IT teams can enforce consistent security policies and reduce exposure risks during data transition phases.
Benefits: Microsoft Information Protection
- Consistent, enterprise-wide data protection and governance
- Compliance with global data privacy regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA
- Reduced data leaks or breaches through encryption, DLP, and access control
- Real-time visibility and control over data handling and access
- Simplified management with a unified platform and centralised policies
- Seamless integration in Microsoft 365 and support for multiple endpoints and environments.
Kloudify for Microsoft Security Solutions:
Microsoft Information Protection, powered by Microsoft Purview, presents a robust and scalable approach to securing sensitive data. Through automated discovery, precise classification, adaptable labelling, encryption, and rights management, it provides the tools necessary to meet today’s dynamic data protection and regulatory compliance needs.
Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 and Azure further empowers businesses to protect data consistently across hybrid cloud and on-premises environments without compromising productivity. Do you want to take this discussion further? Reach out to our team.
