As data proliferates across all spheres of life, new methods are needed to identify, track, and manage information. Microsoft Purview is a unified suite of compliance and governance tools designed to give businesses and users a better understanding of their entire data estate. Previously known as Azure Purview, the latest rendition of this powerful tool sets out to manage the future of compliance and data governance in a hyper-connected world.
Let’s take a detailed look into Microsoft Purview, including its key functionality, essential components, and practical benefits.
What is Microsoft Purview?
Microsoft is marketing Purview as a unified data governance solution for on-premises, multi-cloud, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) data. By providing businesses with a holistic real-time map of their entire data landscape, it attempts to solve problems associated with existing data management services. Users will be able to avoid redundant dashboards and data pipelines, which will help them to operate more efficiently and deliver greater value where it counts.
Just like its previous incarnation — Azure Purview — Microsoft Purview serves three primary purposes: data mapping, data cataloguing, and data insights. It maps data from diverse sources, labels data using established rules, and creates actionable insights across the data environment. However, it adds key functionality around data security and compliance, with these issues more important than ever in today’s connected and data-driven economies.
According to Microsoft, this new product offers the following benefits:
- Better visibility across your entire data estate
- Easier access to data, security, and risk solutions
- Safeguards sensitive data on multiple fronts
- Manages end-to-end data risks and compliance
- Governs, protects and manages data in a new unified way
From a practical perspective, users need to be aware of multiple name changes. For example, Office 365 Customer Lockbox is now Microsoft Purview Customer Lockbox, Microsoft 365 Advanced Audit is Microsoft Purview Audit, and Azure Purview Data Catalog is Microsoft Purview Data Catalog.
The components of Purview
Microsoft Purview is designed as a comprehensive solution for diverse datasets and use cases. While organizations will always have scattered data sources, this suite allows them to benefit from centralized data management. Purview offers a unified map with discoverable data for a bird’s-eye view of all data facilities in real-time. It also helps with data distribution, movement, and location across domains and timelines.
As the latest rendition of an existing tool, Microsoft Purview combines the capabilities of Azure Purview with various tools from Microsoft 365. With an eye toward unified data and risk management, it combines established cataloguing and classification functionality with new data loss prevention and compliance tools. Microsoft Purview is an attempt to create a unified and consistent data management solution.
Microsoft Purview is built over Apache Atlas, which is an open-source project for metadata management and governance. The latest edition of the Purview Data Catalog is based on Apache Atlas, and it extends full support for Apache Atlas APIs. Purview consists of three components: data map, data catalogue, and data insights.
Data map
A unified data map is the foundation of effective data governance. The Purview data map allows users to:
- Manage and automate metadata from multiple hybrid sources
- Classify data using integrated and customized tools
- Label sensitive data consistently across services
- Integrate data systems using Apache Atlas APIs
Data catalog
Data is completely useless if it can’t be discovered. The Purview data catalog allows users to:
- Discover data through familiar search terms
- Eliminate Excel data dictionaries with a glossary
- Understand data origins with lineage visualization
- Provide data scientists, engineers, and analysts with data
Data insights
A bird’s-eye data view provides clarity for better decision-making. Purview data insights allow users to:
- View and manage data metrics across an entire estate
- View a data estate and its distributions by asset dimensions
- Get status updates on scan attributes
- Gain insights to add or redistribute glossary terms
What does Microsoft Purview do?
Microsoft Purview works through metadata — self-referential data markers based on type, date, and other key identifying attributes. From who created the data to what it signifies and when it was made, these markers can be used to segment and manage a huge array of disparate data entities. From data tagging to lineage traceability and cataloging, meta tags are both an efficient marking tool and a powerful lever that can be used to restrict access.
For example, digital images include metadata in their “properties,” with all data types offering this kind of functionality. Microsoft Purview simply extracts and refactors metadata to make it easier to control. While there is nothing revolutionary in this, it has the potential to be incredibly powerful when it’s integrated with business systems and made available across an entire organization.
Why you should care
With the automated discovery, sensitive classification, and end-to-end lineage tools available under a single system a business has a trustworthy way to manage data on several fronts. Instead of stitching data, security, compliance, and legal solutions together, Purview makes it easier to deal with data on its own terms. Users are empowered to expose infrastructure gaps, avoid inconsistencies, reduce time delays, and manage project costs. Overall, Purview allows teams to operate more efficiently by focusing on projects that add value.
Despite all of these tremendous benefits, the following complexities need to be addressed:
Security
While undeniably useful, not all data needs to be searchable and discoverable. If you deal with customer records, financial information, or intellectual property, you need a way to manage sensitive data properly. Purview addresses this issue by allowing users to mark, map, and control sensitive data directly through its metadata. Organizations can adopt security policies and restrict access while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Limitations
Microsoft Purview is a fantastic resource with a comprehensive scope and rich feature set. However, like all software tools, there are some limitations. Despite its badge change, Purview still shares close links with Azure, and most data traceability features require the use of Azure data orchestration and pipeline tools. While organizations can use Purview features without adopting Purview Azure tools, it may affect information on data lineage in some cases.
Key Features of Microsoft Purview
Data Discovery and Classification
Microsoft Purview is packed with a range of features designed to meet the diverse data governance needs of organizations. At its heart lies the capability for Data Discovery and Classification, which allows businesses to automatically identify and classify data across their digital estate. This feature is vital for understanding the type of data held and ensuring appropriate handling and protection measures are in place.
Data Protection and Privacy Management
Another cornerstone feature is Data Protection and Privacy Management. In today’s digital age, safeguarding sensitive information and adhering to privacy regulations is paramount. Microsoft Purview provides tools for setting data protection policies and tracking their enforcement, ensuring compliance with laws like GDPR and HIPAA.
Compliance Management Tools
The Compliance Management Tools within Microsoft Purview aid organizations in staying ahead of regulatory requirements. These tools offer a detailed overview of compliance postures, risk assessments, and actionable insights, enabling proactive management of compliance risks.
Advanced Analytics and Reporting Capabilities
Furthermore, Microsoft Purview’s Advanced Analytics and Reporting Capabilities empower decision-makers with data-driven insights. These analytics tools help in understanding data usage patterns, detecting anomalies, and making informed decisions regarding data governance strategies.
User Experience and Interface
Navigating the Microsoft Purview Interface
Microsoft Purview’s user experience and interface are designed with a focus on accessibility and usability. Navigating the interface is straightforward, allowing users to easily access various data governance tools. Customization is another key feature, enabling organizations to tailor the interface to meet specific needs and preferences.
Customization and Personalization Options
Customization and personalization options within Microsoft Purview allow users to configure dashboards, set preferences, and create personalized reports. This level of customization enhances user engagement and efficiency, making data governance tasks more manageable and user-friendly.
Regular updates and enhancements to the interface ensure that Microsoft Purview remains intuitive and aligned with evolving user needs. These updates often include new features, improved navigation, and enhanced security measures, further bolstering the user experience.
Best Practices in Using Microsoft Purview
Adopting best practices in using Microsoft Purview is essential for maximizing its benefits.
Regular Data Audits and Assessments
Regular data audits and assessments are crucial for maintaining an up-to-date understanding of the data landscape and ensuring governance policies remain effective.
Training and Supporting End-Users
Training and supporting end-users is another key practice. By empowering users with knowledge and skills, organizations can enhance the effectiveness of their data governance initiatives and foster a culture of data responsibility.
Updating and Upgrading Strategies
Updating and upgrading strategies for Microsoft Purview should be a continuous process. Staying abreast of new features and enhancements ensures that organizations are leveraging the most advanced tools in data governance and compliance management.
The Future of Microsoft Purview
The future of data governance is an evolving landscape, with new challenges and opportunities emerging as technology advances. Microsoft Purview is poised to play a significant role in this future, with its ongoing development and adaptation to emerging trends.
Emerging trends in data governance include the increasing importance of artificial intelligence and machine learning in data management, the growing need for real-time data governance, and the emphasis on privacy and security in the wake of evolving regulatory landscapes.
Upcoming features and updates in Microsoft Purview are expected to address these trends. This includes enhanced AI-driven data classification, more sophisticated compliance management tools, and improved integration capabilities with a variety of data sources and platforms.
Helpful Resources:
- Quickstart: Create a Microsoft Purview account using an ARM template [Microsoft]
- Microsoft Purview deployment best practices [Microsoft]
- Microsoft Purview setup guides [Microsoft]
FAQs
How does Microsoft Purview ensure data privacy and security?
Microsoft Purview ensures data privacy and security through its advanced data classification, protection policies, encryption, access controls, and continuous monitoring capabilities.
Can Microsoft Purview be integrated with non-Microsoft products?
Yes, Microsoft Purview can be integrated with a variety of non-Microsoft products and platforms, enhancing its flexibility and utility in diverse IT environments.
What are the cost implications of implementing Microsoft Purview?
The cost of implementing Microsoft Purview varies depending on the scale of deployment and specific features used. Organizations should conduct a cost-benefit analysis to understand the investment and its return.
How user-friendly is the Microsoft Purview interface for non-technical staff?
The Microsoft Purview interface is designed to be user-friendly, with intuitive navigation and customization options, making it accessible for non-technical staff.
What are the primary differences between Microsoft Purview and traditional data governance tools?
Microsoft Purview differs from traditional data governance tools in its comprehensive approach, integration capabilities, advanced analytics, and continuous adaptation to evolving data governance trends.
Implement Microsoft Purview for your organization
While data has undeniable importance in the modern world, discovery and management tools are needed to get insights and create value. The more data you create or use, the better tools you need.
At Softlanding, we can help you grow through data by adopting Microsoft Purview across your organization. Please reach out to our team of IT consultants to learn more.
Written By:
softlanding
Softlanding is a long-established IT services provider of transformation, professional services and managed IT services that helps organizations boost innovation and drive business value. We are a multi-award-winning Microsoft Gold Partner with 13 Gold Competencies and we use our experience and expertise to be a trusted advisor to our clients. Headquartered in Vancouver, BC, we have staff and offices in Toronto, Montreal and Calgary to serve clients across Canada.
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