Microsoft 365 Azure Information Protection is Coming

Online Security – Microsoft 365 Azure Information Protection is Coming

More than ever before, and particularly whilst more of us are working from home, we need to protect the Society’s valuable information from unauthorised access. That’s why soon we will be launching the latest instalment of the Microsoft 365 suite, Azure Information Protection (AIP).

What is Azure Information Protection (AIP)?

Adding to our Office 365 suite, Azure Information Protection (AIP) will enhance the Society’s security of documents and emails. It’s a cloud-based solution that will help us to classify and protect documents and emails. After a document or email is 'classified' (e.g. Highly Confidential, Confidential etc.) it can be tracked, and data flows can be analysed to detect unauthorised or inappropriate activity.

Why the change?

As a Society, we must follow Data Protection Regulations and you will have heard the term GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). This is about how we must always protect and secure any personal data about our customers and colleagues. AIP is a tool that can help us with this.

We need to control and secure emails and documents containing sensitive data that we share outside of our Society. So with AIP, this will help solve that issue.

What’s happening when?

The Society’s Data Protection Champions, their deputies and members of Information Services have been carrying out testing of AIP since early December 2020.

- From mid-February until the end of March 2021 a phased rollout of Microsoft 365 Azure Information Protection will begin across the whole Society. This is the next step in the journey to secure our sensitive data.

- The Data Protection Champions will be advised of the roll-out date for their Business area and will work with Transition Services and Technical Support Services to implement AIP in that area.

Can’t wait?

Please see our next update w/c 15^th February which will confirm the roll-out plan and signpost you to the help and support available with AIP through implementation and beyond.

The AIP Team