Microsoft Purview for data retention and compliance

Why data retention & compliance don't have to be a headache

"Data is like water: too much and you drown, too little and you dry out."

In the world of IT, it's crucial to stay on top of the latest technologies that help organizations manage and secure their data effectively. One of the most promising solutions in this area is Microsoft Purview. This platform offers a complete suite of tools to take your organization's data governance, compliance, and security to the next level.

Increasingly strict regulations like ISO 27001, GDPR, and DORA require companies to get their data management in order. At the same time, the volume of data is growing exponentially. In the last two years, 90% of all existing data has been created, 80% of which no longer has any business value. This makes managing and securing information a challenge, especially with the growing amount of unstructured data such as emails, documents, and spreadsheets. Fortunately, Microsoft Purview offers a solution.

In the last two years, 90% of all existing data has been created, 80% of which no longer has any business value.

What is Microsoft Purview?

Microsoft Purview, formerly known as Azure Purview, is a comprehensive suite of solutions for data governance, security, and compliance. It helps organizations manage and protect data, no matter where it lives. The platform provides integrated tools to tackle:

• Data fragmentation within organizations
• Lack of visibility that hinders data security and governance
• The blurring of traditional IT management tasks

Why choose Microsoft Purview?

• Included as standard with E3 or E5 licenses, making it immediately accessible for many companies.
• Seamless integration with other Microsoft products like Microsoft 365, Azure, and SharePoint.
• Automated data retention that makes compliance a breeze.
• Continuous innovation thanks to Azure cloud updates.

Key features of Microsoft Purview

1. Data governance: overview and control over your data

Microsoft Purview offers solutions for data governance that help organizations manage data across on-premises, multicloud, and SaaS environments. This includes:

• Azure storage services, Power BI, and databases like SQL and Hive
• File services such as Amazon S3
• Support for unstructured data, which is crucial for companies with a lot of scattered information

The comprehensive data catalog and classification features allow organizations to easily manage their data inventory and ownership structures.

2. Data security: protecting sensitive information

Microsoft Purview offers advanced security measures such as:

• Data loss prevention (DLP) to prevent data leaks
• Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) for proactive risk management
• Information protection to identify and secure sensitive data

3. Risk & compliance: meet regulatory standards

Regulations like ISO 27001, DORA, and GDPR are setting increasingly strict requirements for data management. Microsoft Purview helps you stay on top of this with tools like:

• Compliance Manager to stay on top of legal requirements
• Insider Risk Management to spot and mitigate internal risks

4. Efficient data retention: minimize costs and risks

With Microsoft Purview, companies can set up a retention policy to:

• Automatically keep or delete data based on compliance rules
• Save money by clearing out old or redundant data on time
• Reduce the risk of fines and reputational damage

Comparison: Microsoft Purview vs. competitors

Compared to data governance solutions like Informatica and Collibra, Microsoft Purview stands out because of:

• Deeper integration with Microsoft products
• A more uniform user experience
• No extra costs for many Microsoft 365 users

This makes it a cost-effective and efficient choice for companies already operating within the Microsoft ecosystem.

Best practices for implementing Microsoft Purview

Want to get the most out of Microsoft Purview? Follow these steps:

1. Map out all data flows

• Where is data being generated?
• How is it currently being managed?
• What needs to be kept and what can go?

2. Get your team on board

• Understand how employees handle data
• Organize training sessions and workshops
• Ensure clear communication about data retention

3. Implement a well-thought-out change plan

• How do you prevent newly cleaned data from getting messy again?
• How do you ensure compliance with new processes?

4. Integrate Purview smartly into existing systems

• Leverage automation and workflows
• Avoid unnecessary complexity

5. Ensure ongoing management and updates

• Regular checks and adjustments
• Staying up to date with changing regulations

Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Purview

What is the difference between Microsoft Purview and Azure Data Catalog?

Microsoft Purview is a more comprehensive solution that offers data security, compliance, and risk management in addition to data cataloging. Azure Data Catalog focuses purely on cataloging data.

How does Microsoft Purview help with GDPR compliance?

Through data classification and monitoring , Purview helps organizations identify and manage sensitive information, making GDPR compliance easier.

How does Microsoft Purview support data retention?

Microsoft Purview offers automated data retention and deletion features, allowing organizations to meet legal requirements and internal policies without manual intervention.

Unlock the power of Microsoft Purview

Microsoft Purview is your all-in-one toolkit for leveling up data governance and compliance. Tap into its powerful features to cut costs, dodge risks, and stay on the right side of the rules.