Microsoft Purview DLP: Enhanced Data Protection for the Modern Workplace

Updated at: 15/06/2025

In today's digital landscape, safeguarding sensitive data is paramount. Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) offers a robust solution, enhancing data protection across your modern workplace. This article explores Purview DLP's powerful features, from preventing data leaks to streamlining compliance. Discover how it protects your organization's valuable information and simplifies data governance, ensuring peace of mind in a constantly evolving threat environment.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Assess and Prioritize Data Risks

    • Utilize Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) for a 360-degree view of potential data risks and prioritize protection efforts based on its recommendations.
    Utilize Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) for a 360-degree view of potential data risks and prioritize protection efforts based on its recommendations.
    Assess and Prioritize Data Risks

  2. Configure Data Loss Prevention Policies

    • Configure Collection Policies within Microsoft Purview DLP to detect sensitive data shared with unmanaged apps and tailor the discovery of data and activities from the browser, network, and devices.

  3. Implement Application-Level Protections

    • Leverage DLP policy tips and blocking mechanisms within Microsoft 365 apps (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) to prevent the sharing of sensitive data.
    Leverage DLP policy tips and blocking mechanisms within Microsoft 365 apps (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) to prevent the sharing of sensitive data.
    Implement Application-Level Protections

  4. Implement Browser-Level Protections

    • Implement browser-level protections in Edge to block sensitive data transmission to unmanaged cloud apps, even when manually entered into AI apps or generative websites.
    Implement browser-level protections in Edge to block sensitive data transmission to unmanaged cloud apps, even when manually entered into AI apps or generative websites.
    Implement Browser-Level Protections

  5. Implement File System-Level Protections

    • Enable file system-level protection on Windows and Mac OS to block attempts to copy sensitive data to removable drives or unauthorized applications.

  6. Implement Network-Level Protections

    • Employ network-layer detection to identify sensitive information shared via local apps communicating with web services over HTTPS.
    Employ network-layer detection to identify sensitive information shared via local apps communicating with web services over HTTPS.
    Implement Network-Level Protections

  7. Monitor and Manage AI App Risks

    • Use Microsoft Purview's DSPM for AI to gain visibility into AI app usage and potential data risks, enabling informed action.
    Use Microsoft Purview's DSPM for AI to gain visibility into AI app usage and potential data risks, enabling informed action.
    Monitor and Manage AI App Risks
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Tips

  • Regularly assess and expand the protection of your DLP policies using DSPM.
  • New insights from collection policies take up to a day to reflect on the dashboard.
  • Enable multiple policies for Insider Risk Management and Data Loss Prevention simultaneously for improved efficiency.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overly Broad Policies

Reason: Creating policies that are too inclusive can lead to excessive alerts and user frustration, ultimately hindering productivity and potentially causing important data to be missed.
Solution: Refine policies to target specific data types and sensitive information with precise keywords and conditions, minimizing false positives.

2. Ignoring Regular Policy Reviews and Updates

Reason: Data protection needs evolve as your business grows and regulatory requirements change. Outdated policies are ineffective and leave your data vulnerable.
Solution: Schedule regular reviews of your policies to ensure they remain relevant, effective, and aligned with your evolving data security needs.

3. Lack of User Training and Awareness

Reason: Even the best DLP system is useless if users don't understand its purpose and how to comply with the policies. Ignoring this leads to accidental data leaks.
Solution: Implement a comprehensive training program that educates employees about data protection policies and the consequences of non-compliance.

FAQs

What is Microsoft Purview DLP and how is it different from previous versions?
Microsoft Purview DLP is the latest evolution of data loss prevention in Microsoft 365. It builds upon previous versions by integrating more tightly with other Microsoft security and compliance services, offering a more unified and comprehensive approach to data protection. Key improvements include enhanced AI-powered detection, improved cross-platform coverage, and simplified management through a single console.
How can Microsoft Purview DLP help my organization meet compliance requirements?
Purview DLP helps organizations meet various compliance regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA, etc.) by providing tools to identify, monitor, and protect sensitive data. It allows you to create custom policies that align with your specific regulatory needs, enabling you to track and control data access and movement, demonstrating compliance efforts to auditors.