Data Loss Prevention in Microsoft 365

Data loss prevention (DLP) is a security solution that helps organizations protect sensitive data from being leaked or misused. DLP solutions typically use a combination of technical controls, such as content filtering and data discovery, and administrative controls, such as user training and security policies, to protect data. 

Microsoft 365 offers a comprehensive DLP solution that can be used to protect data across a variety of Microsoft 365 services, including Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business, and Teams. The Microsoft 365 DLP solution includes the following features: 

• Content filtering: This feature allows you to create rules that define what types of data are considered sensitive and how they should be protected. For example, you could create a rule that prevents users from sending credit card numbers outside of the organization. 

• Data discovery: This feature allows you to find sensitive data that is stored in Microsoft 365. This can be helpful for identifying data that is not properly protected or that is being used in a way that violates your organization's security policies. 

• Policy enforcement: This feature allows you to enforce your DLP policies. For example, you could configure your DLP policies to block users from sending sensitive data to certain email addresses or to prevent users from uploading sensitive data to SharePoint Online. 

• Reporting and auditing: This feature allows you to track and report on DLP activity. This can be helpful for monitoring the effectiveness of your DLP policies and for investigating security incidents. 

To use the Microsoft 365 DLP solution, you first need to create a DLP policy. A DLP policy defines what types of data are considered sensitive and how they should be protected. You can create a DLP policy using the Microsoft 365 Compliance Center. 

Here are some meaningful examples of how DLP can be used in practice: 

• You can create a DLP policy to prevent users from sending credit card numbers outside of the organization. 

• You can create a DLP policy to prevent users from uploading sensitive documents to unapproved cloud storage locations. 

• You can create a DLP policy to detect and block sensitive data from being exfiltrated from your organization via email. 

• You can create a DLP policy to identify and classify sensitive data in your organization's documents. 

The Microsoft 365 DLP solution is a powerful tool that can help organizations protect sensitive data from being leaked or misused. However, it is important to note that DLP is not a silver bullet. DLP can help to prevent data leaks, but it cannot guarantee that all data leaks will be prevented. It is important to implement other security measures, such as strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, to help protect your data. 

To properly configure the Microsoft 365 DLP solution, you will need to use the following consoles and tools: 

• Microsoft 365 Compliance Center: This is the central console for managing DLP policies and activities. 

• Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) blade: This blade in the Compliance Center provides a graphical interface for creating and managing DLP policies. 

• Microsoft Purview PowerShell: This PowerShell module can be used to automate the creation and management of DLP policies. 

To create a fully working DLP policy, you will need to follow these steps: