Microsoft | Data Governance
Data is your most valuable asset—but only if it’s protected, accessible, and intelligently managed. Microsoft’s Data Governance solutions empower organizations to classify, secure, and govern data across the cloud and on-premises—ensuring trust, compliance, and efficiency at scale.
The Challenge
Enterprises face exploding volumes of data, growing regulatory pressure, and an increased risk of leaks or misuse. Without proper governance, sensitive information is easily exposed, compliance gaps widen, and decision-making becomes fragmented.
The Solution: Unified Data Oversight with Built-in Intelligence
Microsoft enables centralized control of data lifecycle, access, and compliance by integrating tools like Microsoft Purview, Azure Information Protection, and Microsoft 365 compliance solutions.
These tools help organizations:
- Automatically classify and label sensitive data
- Monitor data usage across environments
- Enforce data retention and deletion policies
- Ensure regulatory compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, and more
- Identify and mitigate data risk proactively
- Empower secure collaboration without over-restriction
What You Can Do with Microsoft Data Governance
Discover how Microsoft empowers organizations to govern, protect, and maximize the value of their data—at scale. From automated classification to access controls and insider risk detection, these features help you stay compliant and secure without slowing innovation.
1
Data Classification & Labeling
Automatically tag sensitive data using built-in AI and custom policies to ensure visibility and protection.
2
Unified Data Maps & Catalogs
Discover, catalog, and track data assets across cloud, on-prem, and hybrid environments using Microsoft Purview.
3
Policy-Driven Governance
Set retention schedules, enforce lifecycle management, and implement eDiscovery—all through a single interface.
4
Access & Rights Management
Use Azure Information Protection to apply encryption and access control directly to data—even when shared externally.
5
Insider Risk Management
Identify anomalous behavior with machine learning to prevent internal leaks or misuse before it escalates.
6
Compliance Manager & Audit Trails
Continuously assess risk, monitor regulatory alignment, and maintain audit-ready records.
Industry-Specific Applications of Microsoft Data Governance
From finance to healthcare, Microsoft’s Data Governance tools help organizations protect sensitive data, ensure compliance, and manage information across cloud and on-premises environments.
Healthcare
Healthcare providers can identify, classify, and protect electronic health reacords (EHR) and sensitive patient information across Microsoft 365. Tools like Microsoft Purview help ensure data is only accessed by authorized personnel—meeting HIPAA and other privacy mandates.
Financial Services
Banks and insurance providers can detect suspicious data activities, prevent data leaks, and maintain audit-ready logs to comply with GLBA, SOX, and other financial regulations. Microsoft’s built-in analytics flag abnormal behavior in real-time.
Manufacturing & Critical Infrastructure
Manufacturers can protect intellectual property and manage operational data across hybrid environments using consistent data governance policies. Microsoft Purview extends labeling and encryption from Azure to on-prem and third-party platforms.
Education
Schools and universities leverage Microsoft’s governance tools to automatically archive old records while ensuring compliance with FERPA and other student data laws. Classification policies help secure student records and reduce unnecessary data storage.
Legal & Professional Services
Firms that handle sensitive legal or client information use Microsoft 365’s secure collaboration and data classification features to keep data confidential during teamwork. Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive can be tightly controlled with minimal friction.
Government
Government agencies use Microsoft’s data lifecycle controls to retain public records, manage FOIA requests, and meet regional compliance regulations. Automations reduce manual effort and help avoid costly mistakes in record keeping.
… and more
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