Azure Information Protection is a powerful tool for securing sensitive data in your organization. It allows you to classify and protect data with labels, encryption, and access controls.
With Azure Information Protection, you can apply labels to your sensitive data, which can then be used to control access and apply encryption. This ensures that only authorized users can view or edit the data.
By using Azure Information Protection, you can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access. It's a crucial step in protecting your organization's sensitive information.
Subscription and Pricing
Azure Information Protection requires a subscription to manage and protect sensitive data. The necessary subscription is Azure Information Protection administrator, which is one of the roles listed.
To administer Azure Information Protection, you'll need to assign users to one of the following roles: Azure Information Protection administrator, Compliance administrator or Compliance data administrator, Security administrator, or Azure Rights Management Global Administrator and Connector Administrator.
The plans available for Azure Information Protection are Plan 1 and Plan 2, which are priced per-user, per-month basis and can have regional and currency variations. Plan 1 offers basic data classification and protection measures, while Plan 2 includes more sophisticated features like cloud-based file tracking and revocation.
Here's a comparison of the two plans:
Azure Information Protection might also be included without additional charge under some Microsoft license agreements.
What Subscription Do I Need?
If you're looking to implement Azure Information Protection, you'll need to choose the right subscription plan. There are two main plans: AIP Plan 1 and AIP Plan 2.
AIP Plan 1 provides the essential features for labeling and classifying data, including access limits and encryption. It seamlessly integrates with Windows, Office 365, and Azure Rights Management.
To administer Azure Information Protection, you'll need to assign roles such as Azure Information Protection administrator, Compliance administrator or Compliance data administrator, Security administrator, or Azure Rights Management Global Administrator and Connector Administrator. However, Microsoft accounts are not supported for delegated administration.
The main difference between AIP Plan 1 and Plan 2 is that Plan 2 includes advanced protection controls, such as data loss prevention (DLP) and automatic classification and labeling policies. Plan 2 also enables safe external user collaboration and integration with custom applications through APIs.
Here's a comparison of the two plans:
Ultimately, the choice between AIP Plan 1 and Plan 2 depends on your organization's specific needs and data protection requirements.
Pricing
Pricing can be a bit confusing, but let's break it down simply. Azure Information Protection is priced per-user, per-month basis.
There are two plans available: Plan 1 and Plan 2. Plan 1 offers basic data classification and protection measures.
Plan 2, on the other hand, offers more sophisticated features, including cloud-based file tracking and revocation, document fingerprinting, and connection with other Microsoft services.
Pricing can vary depending on the region and currency, so be sure to check those details.
Azure Information Protection might also be included without additional charge under some Microsoft license agreements.
Benefits and Suitability
Azure Information Protection offers a more in-depth understanding of where your content is being distributed and how it's being utilized, especially in a Microsoft 365 office environment.
This increased visibility provides several benefits, including the ability to restrict access to files by email account, eliminating the need to remember pesky passwords.
AIP's integration with Microsoft programs like Office 365, SharePoint, and Exchange makes it easy to add labels and protection to documents and emails, streamlining data management procedures.
With AIP, you can design rules that automatically apply data protection labels and controls, reducing the need for manual involvement and making data management simpler across numerous platforms and devices.
Benefits of Using
Using Azure Information Protection (AIP) offers numerous benefits for organizations, particularly those with a Microsoft 365 office environment. It provides a more in-depth understanding of where content is being distributed and how it's being utilized, giving you more granular control over it.
With AIP, you can restrict access to files by email account, eliminating the need for pesky passwords. This makes managing access as simple as typing an email account.
AIP ensures that your files are protected wherever they go, as it adds protection to the file itself, not just the storage location. This means your data is safeguarded, regardless of where it's stored or shared.
By categorizing and marking sensitive data according to its sensitivity level, you can protect it from unauthorized access. This is essential for modern businesses that collect and store customer data.
Azure Information Protection offers various ways to use it, including:
- Categorizing and marking sensitive data according to its sensitivity level
- Appropriately labeling and securing sensitive data
- Securely communicating with outside collaborators and suppliers
- Safeguarding intellectual property, including patents, trade secrets, and valuable company data
- Identifying and protecting sensitive information as it moves inside and outside a business
AIP also provides a simplified data management method, allowing organizations to manage sensitive data across numerous platforms and devices. This streamlines data management procedures and reduces the need for manual involvement.
Suitability of Solution for My Country
Before choosing a solution, it's essential to consider the suitability of Azure Information Protection for your country. Different countries have different requirements and regulations.
To determine if Azure Information Protection meets your country's requirements, you should check the official documentation. This will help you understand if the solution can be used in your area.
Azure Information Protection can be used in various countries, but it's crucial to verify the specific regulations and requirements for your location.
Security and Compliance
Azure Information Protection provides robust security and compliance features to safeguard sensitive data. It uses encryption techniques like AES-256, RSA 2048, and SHA-256 to ensure that only authorized users can access protected documents and files.
To illustrate, you can set up a spreadsheet for a sales forecast or report such that only people in your company can view it, and determine whether a document can be updated, read-only, or barred from printing. This helps prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.
Azure Information Protection also aids businesses in complying with legal and regulatory standards, including GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS. Organizations can classify and safeguard sensitive data in a way that complies with these criteria and upholds data privacy.
Azure Information Protection integrates with Azure Rights Management (Azure RMS) to add encryption and access controls for sensitive data. This integration provides policy-based security, safe teamwork, and compliance reporting features.
Here are some key features that help organizations secure their data:
By utilizing Azure Information Protection, organizations can ensure compliance with industry requirements and data protection legislation, and protect sensitive data from unauthorized access and data breaches.
What's Microsoft Purview?
Microsoft Purview is a framework for products and integrated capabilities that help protect your organization's sensitive information. It's not a subscription or product you can buy, but rather a collection of tools and features that work together to keep your data safe.
Microsoft Purview Information Protection is a key part of this framework, providing data protection technology and classification and labeling capabilities. To use it, you'll need an Information Protection plan, which you can learn more about in the Microsoft Purview Information Protection site.
The Azure Rights Management service (Azure RMS) is used with classification and labeling in Microsoft Purview Information Protection. It's a powerful tool that helps you protect your data, but it requires an Information Protection plan to use.
Here are some of the key features of Microsoft Purview Information Protection:
- Azure RMS: provides data protection technology
- Information Protection scanner or client: requires an Information Protection plan
- Calculator: estimates monthly costs for Azure services
- Documentation: includes technical tutorials and videos
- Double Key Encryption: more information can be found in the Information Protection: Double Key Encryption section
Microsoft Purview Information Protection is part of a larger suite of products, including Azure Information Protection, Microsoft 365 Information Protection, Windows Information Protection, and Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps.
Provides Enhanced Compliance
Azure Information Protection (AIP) is a powerful tool for organizations seeking to enhance their compliance with legal and regulatory standards. AIP complies with industry and governmental standards, including GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS.
AIP helps organizations classify and safeguard sensitive data in a way that complies with these criteria and upholds data privacy. This is done by automatically applying data protection labels and control, reducing the risk of human mistakes and data breaches.
Organizations can develop and implement policies automatically with AIP, making it easier to ensure compliance with regulations. AIP's integration with Microsoft programs such as Office 365, SharePoint, and Exchange also simplifies the process of managing sensitive data.
Some of the key compliance standards that AIP supports include:
- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
- HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
- PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)
By using AIP, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to data privacy and security, and reduce the risk of non-compliance. This is especially important for organizations that handle sensitive data, such as financial or healthcare information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is replacing Azure Information Protection?
Azure Information Protection is being replaced by built-in labels in Microsoft 365 apps and services. Learn more about the new labels and how they can help you protect your sensitive information.
What is the difference between DLP and Azure Information Protection?
DLP focuses on monitoring and protecting information within an Office 365 tenant, while Azure Information Protection safeguards individual files and emails regardless of their location or destination
Sources
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/servicedescriptions/azure-information-protection
- https://www.csusm.edu/iits/services/security/security-guidance/protection-tools/aip/index.html
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/information-protection/faqs
- https://amaxra.com/articles/azure-information-protection
- https://www.remotelyrmm.com/blog/how-to-create-an-azure-information-protection-label
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