To start with, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) helps to discover, monitor, and protect sensitive information across Microsoft 365 including Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business, and Microsoft Teams. The DLP comes with features to identify sensitive information based on predefined patterns, provide real-time policy tips, and generate detailed reports of DLP policy use and compliance.
DLP Permissions
There are three levels of permissions in DLP: Organization Management, Compliance Data Administrator, and Security Reader. These provide varying levels of control over the DLP environment.
- Organization Management: These individuals have full control over the environment and all types of permissions like Read, Write, Execute, Delete, etc.
- Compliance Data Administrator: These administrators have restricted access. They typically have read and write permissions, but don’t have rights to delete.
- Security Reader: These are typically members of your IT department who need to view the DLP policies and related data, but don’t need to modify any settings. They have Read permission.
Here is a comparative view of these permissions:
Permission Level | Read | Write | Execute | Delete |
---|---|---|---|---|
Organization Management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Compliance Data Administrator | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Security Reader | Yes | No | No | No |
Configuring Permissions
To configure permissions for DLP in Microsoft 365, you need to follow these steps:
- Sign in to Microsoft 365 Compliance Center.
- Navigate to “Permissions” in the left-hand navigation pane.
- Choose “Data loss prevention”.
- Add the users to whom you want to provide permissions and assign them appropriately.
It is recommended to provide minimum permissions based on the principle of least privilege. The fewer people that have access to sensitive information, and the fewer privileges they have, the better your security stance.
Conclusion
Configuring permissions for DLP is an essential part of data security. To do it effectively, you should understand the roles and responsibilities of each individual, and assign permissions based on their need to have access. Remember, DLP permissions should be part of a broader information protection and compliance framework. Always ensure that these configurations align with your organizational policies and regulatory compliance needs.
This information should provide a good start for those looking to gain a better understanding of configuring permissions for DLP in preparation for the SC-400 Microsoft Information Protection Administrator exam.
Practice Test
True or false: You can configure permissions for DLP (Data Loss Prevention) in the Microsoft 365 compliance center.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: You can configure DLP permissions in the Microsoft 365 compliance center and other interfaces such as the Security & Compliance Center PowerShell.
Which of the following roles can create, modify, or delete DLP policies and rules?
- a. Compliance Administrator
- b. Security Reader
- c. Global Reader
- d. Records Management
Answer: a. Compliance Administrator.
Explanation: The Compliance Administrator has the permissions to create, modify, or delete DLP policies and rules.
True or False: DLP policies only support condition-based rules.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: DLP policies support both condition-based and activity-based rules.
In Microsoft 365 compliance center, which group can modify permissions for DLP?
- a. Security Operators
- b. Data Investigators
- c. Compliance Data Administrators
- d. None of the above
Answer: c. Compliance Data Administrators.
Explanation: Compliance Data Administrators can make changes to DLP permissions.
True or False: Using PowerShell, you cannot configure DLP permissions.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: You can use Security & Compliance Center PowerShell to configure DLP permissions.
Who among the following can view reports for DLP?
- a. Security Reader
- b. Records Management
- c. Both a and b
- d. None of the Above
Answer: c. Both a and b.
Explanation: Both Security Reader and Records Management roles can view DLP reports.
True or False: You need to have specific roles assigned to manage DLP policies.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: Only those with specific roles such as Compliance Administrator, Compliance Data Administrator will have the authority to manage DLP policies.
Which among the following can create custom sensitive information types?
- a. Compliance Administrator
- b. Global Administrator
- c. Both a and b
- d. None of the above
Answer: c. Both a and b.
Explanation: Both Compliance Administrator and Global Administrator have the permission to create custom sensitive information types.
True or False: Global Reader has the permission to edit DLP Policies.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: Although Global Reader can view configurations and settings, they do not have the permission to edit DLP Policies.
Who among the following cannot create DLP policies but can view activity reports?
- a. Compliance Administrator
- b. Security Administrator
- c. Security Reader
- d. None of the above
Answer: c. Security Reader.
Explanation: Security Reader cannot create DLP policies but can view activity reports.
True or False: DLP policies in Microsoft 365 can be applied at the organization level or user level.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: DLP policies in Microsoft 365 can be applied either at the organization level, user level or both.
Which of the following cannot modify DLP policy settings?
- a. Compliance Administrator
- b. Records Management
- c. Compliance Data Administrator
- d. None of the Above
Answer: b. Records Management.
Explanation: While Records Management can create DLP policies, they cannot modify policy settings.
True or False: You can use Microsoft 365 Defender portal to configure DLP permissions.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: Microsoft 365 Defender portal is one of the interfaces where you can configure DLP permissions.
Which role should be assigned to a user to perform DLP incident management tasks?
- a. Security Administrator
- b. Global Administrator
- c. Compliance Administrator
- d. Records Management
Answer: a. Security Administrator.
Explanation: To perform DLP incident management tasks, a user must be assigned the Security Administrator role.
True or False: Only Global Administrators can view DLP incident and detection reports.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: Besides Global Administrators, roles such as Compliance Administrator and Security Administrator can also view DLP incident and detection reports.
Interview Questions
What is DLP in the context of Microsoft cloud services?
DLP stands for Data Loss Prevention. It is a feature used to identify, monitor, and protect sensitive information across Microsoft 365.
What are the permissions required to configure DLP policies in Microsoft 365?
To configure DLP policies in Microsoft 365, one must have either global admin or compliance admin role.
Can a user with the security administrator role create and manage DLP policies?
No, only Global administrators and Compliance administrators can create and manage DLP policies.
Which Microsoft service can use DLP policies?
DLP policies can be used in several Microsoft services, including Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business, and Microsoft Teams.
What is the function of the policy tip in DLP?
A policy tip in DLP alerts users in real-time when they are about to send information that violates a DLP policy.
Which two areas need to be configured for DLP policy to function correctly?
To configure DLP policy to function correctly, you need to configure policy rules and policy settings.
What’s the purpose of “low count” in the creation of a DLP policy?
The “low count” option determines how many instances of a specific type of sensitive information must be present before a policy rule is triggered.
How can DLP monitor sensitive information without affecting employees’ productivity?
DLP can be configured to run in audit mode, allowing the organization to track potential issues without interfering with regular work.
Is it possible to customize DLP policy tips?
Yes, DLP policy tips can be customized to provide specific guidance to your users depending on the situation.
Does Microsoft 365 DLP support third-party classifications for sensitive information?
Yes, Microsoft 365 DLP supports both built-in classifications and custom classifications defined by third-party classification systems.
Can DLP policies be enforced on content saved on device endpoints such as PCs?
Yes, with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, it’s possible to enforce DLP policies on content that is saved locally on device endpoints.
How can you create exceptions to your DLP policies?
Within DLP policy settings, you can define specific conditions in your rules that exempt certain content or entities from policy enforcement.
What options might you configure under the “actions” step during the creation of DLP policies?
The “actions” during the creation of DLP policies allows you to specify what to do when content that violates a rule is detected. This may include the sending of notifications, justification requests, visual policy tips, or even content-blocking actions.
Is it possible to use DLP to prevent data sharing in Microsoft Teams?
Yes, DLP can be applied to chats and channel messages in Microsoft Teams to prevent sensitive information from being shared.
Can DLP policies be tested before fully implementing them?
Yes, DLP policies can be tested in ‘simulation mode’ which allows you to understand the impact of the policy before it’s fully enforced.