Information protection and governance involve establishing policies to handle data securely and effectively. It revolves around creating, storing, using, and disposing of data in compliance with internal policies and external regulations. Microsoft 365 offers robust tools to manage data and mitigate risks associated with data handling.

Table of Contents

Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a strategy aimed at ensuring users do not send sensitive or crucial information outside of the corporate network. The DLP strategy can also include measures taken to prevent unauthorized users from accessing this data.

DLP in Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 provides DLP solutions through policies that can identify, monitor, and automatically protect sensitive information across Office 365. For instance, Microsoft 365 DLP policies can prevent the accidental sharing of sensitive information like credit card numbers, social security numbers, or healthcare records.

Overview of Classification labels

Classification labels in Microsoft 365 help in classifying data based on sensitivity (sensitivity labels) or on retention duration (retention labels). These labels enforce actions like encryption, access restriction, visual marking, and retention or deletion after a specific period.

Sensitivity Labels

Sensitivity labels in Microsoft 365 allow organizations to classify data based on the level of sensitivity. Each label can enforce protections like encryption, access restrictions, and visual markings such as watermarks. For instance, if a document is labeled as “Highly Confidential”, it can only be accessed by specific individuals and might even contain a watermark indicating the sensitive nature of the document.

Retention Labels

Retention labels in Microsoft 365 allow organizations to classify data based on how long the data must be retained. A retention label can specify actions like retaining the data for a specific period, deleting the data after a specific period, or both. For example, a label can be set to retain data for 7 years for tax purposes, and then automatically delete the data after that period.

The following table describes the main elements of DLP and Classification labels:

Features Data Loss Prevention Classification Labels
Definition Controls to prevent the accidental or deliberate sharing of sensitive information. Labels that classify data based on sensitivity or retention policy.
Application Applied on data transiting through the network e.g., emails, documents shared outside the organization. Applied directly to the data itself.
Enforcement Policies automatically monitor and protect sensitive data. Protections are enforced by sensitivity labels, and retention or deletion actions are enforced by retention labels.

In conclusion, information protection and governance play an essential role in data security. With Microsoft 365’s DLP and Classification labels, you can protect and manage your data effectively. Understanding these options thoroughly will not only help in preparing for the MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals exam but also equip you with essential skills for any data-focused role.

Practice Test

True/False: Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is the use of tools and policies to prevent sensitive data from being lost, misused, or accessed by unauthorized individuals.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: DLP is a set of tools and practices used to ensure that sensitive data is not lost, misused, or accessed by unauthorized users.

Which of the following are included in Microsoft’s Information Protection and Governance options? Select all that apply.

  • A. Data Loss Prevention
  • B. Classification labels
  • C. Document Archiving
  • D. Cloud App Security

Answer: A, B, C, D

Explanation: All these features are included in Microsoft’s Information Protection and Governance options.

True/False: Classification labels in Microsoft 365 cannot be manually assigned.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: Classification labels in Microsoft 365 can be manually assigned by the user and automatic labeling options are also available based on the content.

Which of the following are the purposes served by Microsoft 365’s Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy?

  • A. Identifying sensitive information
  • B. Preventing unintentional sharing of sensitive information
  • C. Protecting sensitive information from being corrupted
  • D. All of the above

Answer: D, All of the above

Explanation: The DLP policy in Microsoft 365 is used to identify, protect, and prevent the distribution of sensitive information.

Which of the following are examples of sensitive information that DLP policy is designed to protect? Select all that apply.

  • A. Financial data
  • B. Personal Identifiable Information
  • C. Health records
  • D. Trade secrets

Answer: A, B, C, D

Explanation: DLP policy is designed to protect sensitive information including financial data, personal information, health records, and trade secrets.

Classification labels are used in Microsoft 365 to?

  • A. Track user activities
  • B. Detect threats and attacks
  • C. Categorize data
  • D. Scan emails for malicious content

Answer: C, Categorize data

Explanation: Classification labels are used to categorize data and apply action like encryption, content marking etc.

True/False: It is impossible for DLP policies to work across multiple locations, such as Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and OneDrive for Business.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: DLP policies can work across multiple locations, like Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and OneDrive for Business.

What is the purpose of governance in Microsoft 365?

  • A. To ensure compliance with legal and business requirements
  • B. To boost the productivity
  • C. To reduce the cost of operation
  • D. To enhance the data security

Answer: A, To ensure compliance with legal and business requirements

Explanation: Governance in Microsoft 365 is about managing information to meet legal and business requirements.

True/False: Microsoft 365 includes built-in DLP to protect sensitive data and ensure you meet legal compliance standards.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: Microsoft 365 does have built-in DLP. It means you can keep your data protected and stay legal compliant.

In Microsoft 365, who defines the classification labels?

  • A. End users
  • B. Branch managers
  • C. IT Admin
  • D. External consultants

Answer: C, IT Admin

Explanation: The classification labels are defined by IT Admins to categorize data based on organization needs.

Interview Questions

What does data loss prevention (DLP) mean in the context of information protection and governance?

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a strategy for ensuring that end users do not send sensitive or critical information outside their corporate network. The term is also used to describe software products that help a network administrator control what data end users can transfer.

What are classification labels in data protection and governance?

Classification labels in data protection and governance are used to categorize data based on its sensitivity. These labels are used to apply certain protections or restrictions such as encryption or access control, depending on the category of the data.

How are information protection and governance options relevant to Microsoft 365?

Microsoft 365 offers features like Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and sensitivity labels that help organizations protect and govern their data. These options help prevent sensitive information from being inadvertently leaked and allow organizations to remain compliant with their regulations.

What is the role of DLP in Microsoft 365?

DLP in Microsoft 365 helps to identify, monitor, and automatically protect sensitive information across Office 365. With DLP, organizations can set up policies identifying sensitive data and take actions to prevent it from being shared with individuals without appropriate permissions.

Can you explain how classification labels work in Microsoft 365?

Classification labels in Microsoft 365 allow data to be classified and protected based on its sensitivity. When a label is applied to a document or email, it can enforce protections such as encryption or visual markings like watermarks. Labels can be applied manually by users or automatically by admin-defined policies.

How can classification labels help prevent data loss?

Classification labels can help prevent data loss by enabling data categorization based on its sensitivity. Once data is labeled, appropriate security controls, like encryption or restricted access, can be applied to protect that data, thereby preventing its unintended access or loss.

Could you mention some of the actions that can be taken when a DLP policy is triggered in Microsoft 365?

When a DLP policy is triggered in Microsoft 365, various actions can be taken automatically. These include sending a notification to the user, showing a policy tip to the user, blocking the content from being shared, or even encrypting the content.

What is responsive DLP in Microsoft 365?

Responsive DLP is an approach in Microsoft 365 which allows organizations to automatically take actions like moving an email to a different folder, restrict access, or encrypt content, based on the DLP policies and sensitive data that it identifies.

Explain the role of Microsoft 365 compliance center in information protection and governance?

Microsoft 365 compliance center allows organizations to access and manage data governance across their tenant. Here, admins can create and manage data loss prevention (DLP) policies, set up data sensitivity and retention labels, and check the compliance score of the organization.

What is the importance of information protection and governance options for organizations using Microsoft 365?

Information protection and governance options are crucial for organizations using Microsoft 365 as they help prevent data breaches, avoid compliance violations, manage risk, and protect their sensitive data. Through features like DLP and sensitivity labels, organizations can ensure that their confidential and regulated information is protected and controlled.

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