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Choosing the right information protection solution can be overwhelming, especially with the numerous options available. Azure Information Protection is a robust solution that offers robust data protection and compliance features.
Azure Information Protection offers advanced threat protection, encryption, and access controls to safeguard sensitive data. It also provides detailed reporting and analytics to help organizations stay on top of their data protection efforts.
One key consideration is the level of integration you need with other Microsoft tools. Azure Information Protection integrates seamlessly with Office 365 and other Microsoft services, making it a great choice for organizations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Azure Information Protection also offers flexible deployment options, including a cloud-based solution and an on-premises option, giving you the flexibility to choose the deployment method that best meets your organization's needs.
What Are the Types of Plans?
Azure Information Protection (AIP) offers three subscription plans: Azure Information Protection for Office 365, Azure Information Protection Premium P1, and Azure Information Protection Premium P2.
The free account for individuals allows access to AIP-protected content by entering their work email address and installing the AIP app on their mobile devices or Windows or Mac computer.
Microsoft incorporates the Azure Information Protection for Office 365 plan for free for enterprises that subscribe to the Office 365 Enterprise E3 and E5 plans.
There are two premium versions of Azure Information Protection: Premium P1 and Premium P2, offered with an add-on license for $2 per user, per month for P1 and $5 per user, per month for P2.
Here's a breakdown of the plans:
Organizations that subscribe to the Enterprise Mobility + Security E3 plan get access to the AIP Premium P1 plan, while those that license the Enterprise Mobility + Security E5 plan get access to the AIP Premium P2 plan.
Key Features and Requirements
To get started with Azure Information Protection, IT administrators need to prepare four key areas. These areas include IT infrastructure, user education, data classification, and security policies.
Azure Information Protection comes in two subscription plans: AIP Premium P1 and AIP Premium P2. The cost of these plans depends on the licensing model chosen, either as an add-on license or a bundled license.
Here are the pricing details for the two plans:
Understanding
Understanding the importance of protecting sensitive digital assets is crucial for any organization. Protecting sensitive and highly regulated digital assets is a crucial component of any effective security program.
Azure Information Protection is a key tool in safeguarding digital assets against unauthorized access and misuse. Organizations must have a clear understanding of the risks involved and the best practices for protecting their information from cyber threats, accidental leaks, and unauthorized access.
Protecting sensitive information is a top priority for organizations in today's digital landscape. The world of Azure Information Protection offers various tools and strategies to safeguard digital assets against such threats using Microsoft Information Protection tools.
Key Features
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Azure Purview is a robust data management tool that empowers businesses to manage their data effectively.
Its rich feature set is tailored to meet the needs of various industries, making it a versatile solution for data governance.
Azure Purview stands out for its ability to discover, classify, and govern data across multiple sources, which is a game-changer for businesses with complex data landscapes.
This means that companies can now get a unified view of their data, regardless of where it's stored or how it's structured.
Azure Purview also provides advanced data discovery capabilities, allowing users to find and categorize data based on its characteristics and relationships.
With data classification, businesses can assign metadata to their data assets, making it easier to understand and manage their data.
Data governance is also a key feature of Azure Purview, enabling organizations to establish policies and standards for data usage and access.
This helps ensure that data is used responsibly and in compliance with regulatory requirements.
By providing a centralized platform for data management, Azure Purview streamlines data operations and reduces the risk of data breaches.
Requirements
To get your organization ready to use Azure Information Protection, you'll need to prepare four key areas. IT administrators must focus on these areas to ensure a smooth implementation.
Defining compliance requirements is a crucial step in the process. You'll need to document the compliance requirements that drive your organization to implement content protections.
Some questions you'll need to answer include: What are the compliance requirements for your organization's data? Which departments require content protection? What specific sets of files and digital content need restrictions?
You'll also need to identify which users or groups need more controlled content access. This will help you determine who should have access to sensitive information and who should not.
Here are some key compliance requirements to consider:
- Compliance requirements for the organization's data
- Departments that require content protection
- Specific sets of files and digital content that need restrictions
- Users or groups that need more controlled content access
- Content that needs close monitoring
Client Requirements
To get your organization ready to use Azure Information Protection, you'll need to prepare four key areas. IT administrators must be aware of these requirements to ensure a smooth deployment.
The first requirement is to deploy the latest version of the Azure Information Protection unified labeling client for end users to discover and protect local documents based on corporate policies. This client is essential for organizations that require protection for their sensitive documents.
The unified labeling client is not necessary for all organizations. If your company doesn't require protection for local documents, you'll only need to deploy the Rights Management client included in Microsoft Office applications to open protected files. This is a more straightforward approach for organizations with less stringent security needs.
To summarize, you'll need to deploy one of two clients depending on your organization's requirements. Here's a brief summary of the client requirements:
- Deploy the Azure Information Protection unified labeling client for protection of local documents.
- Deploy the Rights Management client included in Microsoft Office applications for organizations that don't require protection for local documents.
Compliance and Governance
Azure Purview provides a robust framework for data governance and compliance, offering tools and functionalities specifically designed to navigate the complex landscape of regulations and standards.
Data governance and compliance are imperative to legal and ethical business operations, especially in industries with stringent regulatory compliance. Azure Purview aids organizations in establishing a comprehensive data governance strategy that includes the classification of personal data, monitoring of data access, and implementation of privacy policies.
Azure Purview ensures data compliance by automating data discovery and classification, identifying and securing sensitive data. This helps organizations like American SMBs with a global customer base, including customers in the European Union (EU), to comply with GDPR mandates on data privacy and handling of personal data.
Licensing Requirements
To get your organization compliant with Azure Information Protection, you'll need to understand the licensing requirements. IT administrators must prepare four key areas to get their organization ready to use Azure Information Protection.
Azure Information Protection comes in two subscription plans - AIP Premium P1 and AIP Premium P2. The pricing for these plans varies depending on the licensing model you choose.
You can purchase an add-on license, which costs $2 per user, per month for AIP Premium Plan 1, and $5 per user, per month for AIP Premium Plan 2. Alternatively, you can opt for a bundled license with Microsoft 365.
The Microsoft 365 E3 package includes AIP Premium Plan 1 for $32 per user, per month, while the Microsoft 365 E5 package includes AIP Premium Plan 2 for $57 per user, per month.
Here's a summary of the licensing options:
Governance and Compliance
Governance and compliance are crucial for any organization, especially those in highly regulated industries. Azure Purview provides a robust framework for data governance and compliance, offering tools and functionalities specifically designed to navigate the complex landscape of regulations and standards.
Azure Purview's governance and compliance features can be applied in real-world scenarios, demonstrating its critical role in maintaining regulatory adherence. For instance, Azure Purview can aid in establishing a comprehensive data governance strategy that includes the classification of personal data, monitoring of data access, and implementation of privacy policies.
In the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) mandates strict rules on data privacy and the handling of personal data. Azure Purview can ensure that data handling practices comply with GDPR requirements, such as data minimization, consent management, and the right to erasure.
Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) is critical for Small to Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) in the financial sector. Azure Purview can catalog financial data, monitor changes, and manage access controls, ensuring that financial records are accurate, complete, and only accessible to authorized personnel.
In the healthcare industry, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires the protection of sensitive patient health information. Azure Purview's governance and compliance features enable healthcare providers to classify health data, implement access controls, and monitor data usage.
Azure Purview automates data discovery and classification, aiding in regulatory compliance by identifying and securing sensitive data. This is a critical step in ensuring data compliance.
Here are three ways Azure Purview's governance and compliance features can be applied in real-world scenarios:
- Compliance with GDPR for Data Privacy
- Managing SOX Compliance in Accounting Practices
- Adhering to HIPAA in Healthcare Data Management
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 Microsoft information protection and Azure Information Protection?
Microsoft Information Protection (MIP) is a broader framework, while Azure Information Protection (AIP) is a more advanced feature within it, offering additional capabilities for hybrid work environments. AIP builds upon MIP's labeling and classification functions to provide enhanced protection and management.
Sources
- https://www.techtarget.com/searchwindowsserver/tip/Azure-Information-Protection-P1-vs-P2-Whats-the-difference
- https://amaxra.com/articles/azure-purview
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/information-protection/aka
- https://www.communicationsquare.com/news/microsoft-365-for-enterprise-security-part-3-information-protection/
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/information-protection/compare-on-premise
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