Before we dive into configuring Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies for use in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, let’s take a moment to understand their importance.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, a component of Microsoft Cloud App Security, uses DLP policies to monitor and protect your corporate data in the cloud. These policies are essential in preventing sensitive data like Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), or Intellectual Property (IP) from being unintentionally shared or leaked.
Creating and Configuring a DLP Policy
Configuring DLP policies for Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps begins with creating a new policy. Let’s see how this can be done:
- Navigate your way to the Microsoft 365 Compliance Center.
- Click on ‘Policies’ from the left-hand menu, then select ‘Data loss prevention’.
- You should see an option to ‘+ Create a policy’. Click on it and select the ‘Custom’ option to create a new policy from scratch.
- Fill in the appropriate fields such as ‘Name’, ‘Description’, and ‘Settings’.
The ‘Settings’ option allows you to define various criteria about what constitutes a violation of your policy. For instance, you may define sensitive information types, locations, or conditions based on your organization’s sensitivity levels associated with data types and data flows.
- Once these fields are filled out, save your policy to apply it.
As an example, if your organization deals with credit card information, you could create a policy that prevents this information from being shared outside the organization.
Fine Tuning your DLP Policies
You can also fine-tune your DLP policies according to your organization’s security requirements. For instance, by specifying:
- The conditions that make a policy rule apply to content. These could be related to content containing specific sensitive information types like credit card numbers, for instance.
- The actions to take when content matches these conditions. For example, blocking access to content or informing users that they’ve violated a policy.
- User overrides and incident reports. These allow users to override a policy tip or report false positives and negatives in relation to the policy.
As an example, consider a policy created to protect the organization’s client contract documents. This policy could be configured to scan for keywords related to contractual agreements and trigger an action when such content is shared outside of the organization.
Observing DLP policy matches
Once your DLP policies are in place, you can monitor the ‘DLP policy matches’ widget on the Microsoft Defender for Cloud apps dashboard. This widget shows a summary of policy matches across your cloud apps and provides detailed context related to each violation. Regular monitoring of this dashboard will enable early identification and mending of potential data leak points.
DLP Policies’ Scope
The scope of a DLP policy is equally important. DLP policies function across a broad range of resources:
- Emails sent and received in Exchange Online
- Documents in SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business
- Microsoft Teams chat messages and channel conversations
Therefore, when you configure DLP policies, keep in mind the full range of their potential application.
In conclusion, Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is a powerful tool in your data protection arsenal. By properly configuring and managing DLP policies within it, you can help ensure that your organization’s sensitive and confidential information stays within its rightful boundaries. By regular monitoring and proactive management, you can better control and secure your organization’s cloud data footprint.
Practice Test
True or False: DLP policies in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps can be used to control file sharing.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies can be utilized to control the sharing of files and protect sensitive information from being inadvertently shared or leaked.
Which of the following is not a step in configuring DLP policies in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps?
- A. Create a new policy
- B. Select the data type to protect
- C. Purchase additional storage space
- D. Define the actions to be taken when data is at risk
Answer: C. Purchase additional storage space
Explanation: Configuring DLP policies involves creating a new policy, selecting the data type to protect, and defining the response actions. Purchasing additional storage space isn’t required in this process.
True or False: It is only possible to have one active DLP policy at a time.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: You can have multiple active DLP policies in place, targeting different aspects of data loss prevention, depending on your organization’s needs.
Which of the following DLP policy options are available in the Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps?
- A. Limited access
- B. Remove sharing
- C. Block access
- D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: All these DLP policy options are supported to effectively protect your sensitive information in cloud apps.
True or False: DLP policies are primarily concerned with antivirus protection.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: DLP policies are designed to prevent potential data loss, not specifically to provide antivirus protection.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps can apply DLP policies to which of the following?
- A. Files in transit
- B. At-rest data
- C. Both A and B
Answer: C. Both A and B
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps applies DLP policies to files in transit, at rest, and to the data being used.
True or False: A DLP policy needs to be published before it can be used.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: A DLP policy needs to be published to go into effect. Until it’s published, it won’t enforce any rules or take any actions.
The highest level of severity for a violation of a DLP policy in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is called what?
- A. Warning
- B. Alert
- C. Critical
- D. High
Answer: C. Critical
Explanation: The highest level of severity for violations is called “Critical.”
True or False: You can use DLP Policies in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps to prevent employees from sending sensitive information outside the organization.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: DLP Policies are designed to protect sensitive information and can prevent data from being sent outside the organization.
What is the first step in setting up a DLP policy in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps?
- A. Review the current data classification
- B. Purchase a Microsoft 365 subscription
- C. Determine the level of severity for violations
- D. Assign a policy name
Answer: A. Review the current data classification
Explanation: The first step to take when setting up a DLP policy is to review the current data classification to understand what type of data needs to be protected.
True or False: Once a DLP policy is created in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, it cannot be edited.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: DLP policies are flexible and can be edited after creation based on the changing needs of the organization.
In a Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, the policy rules are designed to control what?
- A. User behavior
- B. Data sharing
- C. App access
- D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: The policy rules within Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps are designed to control user behavior, data sharing, and app access, amongst other things.
True or False: DLP policies in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps can be applied to third-party cloud applications.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: DLP policies can be enforced on many different types of cloud applications, including third-party applications integrated with Microsoft
Does Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps support custom DLP policies?
- A. Yes
- B. No
Answer: A. Yes
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps supports custom DLP policies, allowing organizations to tailor the policies to their specific needs.
True or False: DLP policies for use in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps help to detect potential data breaches and provide detailed reports.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: DLP policies in Defender for Cloud Apps not only prevent data loss but also help to identify potential data breaches and provide detailed reports for analysis.
Interview Questions
What does DLP stand for in terms of Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps?
DLP stands for Data Loss Prevention.
What is the primary purpose of configuring DLP policies in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps?
The primary purpose of configuring DLP policies in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is to identify, monitor, and protect sensitive information across cloud apps.
How does the DLP solution of Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps work?
It works by identifying sensitive information across your cloud apps and then applying suitable protective actions based on predefined policies.
What are some of the protective measures that can be taken by DLP policies?
Some of the protective measures include blocking access, restricting sharing, encrypting data, and alerting administrators.
Which organization standards can Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps meet by using DLP policies?
It can meet organization standards such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
What are the types of sensitive information that you can configure DLP policies to identify?
You can configure DLP policies to identify credit card numbers, social security numbers, bank account numbers, and other types of personal and financial information.
Can a user override a DLP policy in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps?
No, a user cannot override a DLP policy. Only administrators with appropriate permissions can modify or override DLP policies.
Can you use DLP policies to encrypt data in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps?
Yes, DLP policies can be configured to apply encryption on sensitive data detected in cloud apps.
What type of information can an administrator receive if a DLP policy is triggered?
The administrator can receive detailed incident reports and alerts when a policy violation occurs.
Can DLP policies be applied to data at rest in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps?
Yes, DLP policies can be applied to data at rest as well as data in transit, ensuring comprehensive data protection across cloud apps.
Apart from Microsoft cloud apps, can DLP policies be applied to third-party cloud apps?
Yes, DLP policies can be applied to over 16,000 third-party cloud apps ensuring comprehensive coverage and protection.
Can DLP policies enforce real-time controls in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps?
Yes, DLP policies can enforce real-time controls such as blocking transactions that violate policies.
How does the DLP policy discover and classify sensitive data?
DLP policies discover sensitive data through content inspection and classify it based on the predefined data identifiers in the policy.
Do the DLP policies in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps provide visibility into shadow IT?
Yes, these policies not only protect sensitive data, but also provide visibility into shadow IT by identifying unsanctioned apps that might be in use within the organization.
Is it possible to evaluate the impact of a DLP policy before implementing it in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps?
Yes, Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps offers a “Test mode” where you can understand the impact of your policy before implementing it organization-wide. This helps prevent unwanted disruptions to your users’ workflows.
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