Microsoft Purview · Information Protection

Information Protection

Full control over all information protection features including DLP, sensitivity labels, and classification.

Scope: Complete information protection administration organization-wide

Permissions

  • DLP Policies - All DLP policy creation and management (Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, Copilot, Devices)
  • Sensitivity Labels - Create and configure sensitivity labels with encryption and marking
  • Auto-Labeling - Configure auto-labeling policies with machine learning classifiers
  • Trainable Classifiers - Manage trainable classifiers (custom and pre-built)
  • Content Explorer - Access Content Explorer (view labeled file content)
  • Activity Explorer - Access Activity Explorer (view labeling and DLP events)
  • On-Premises Scanner - Configure Microsoft Purview Information Protection scanner for on-premises
  • Encryption - Manage encryption and Azure Rights Management templates
  • Label Policies - Configure label policy scoped to specific users, groups, or admin units
  • EDM Schemas - Create exact data match (EDM) and document fingerprinting schemas
  • Reports - Full access to information protection reports and analytics
  • Records Integration - Manage records management and retention labels integration

Common use cases

  • Chief Information Security Officer with comprehensive oversight responsibility
  • Data Protection Officer managing full information protection compliance program
  • Information governance lead implementing enterprise-wide protection strategy
  • Senior compliance architect designing multi-layered protection framework
  • Security operations lead coordinating DLP, encryption, and classification
  • Privacy officer managing data protection and GDPR compliance
  • Enterprise architect integrating on-premises and cloud protection
  • Full-time information protection specialist role in large organizations

Best practices

  • Develop comprehensive information protection strategy aligned with business objectives
  • Implement sensitivity labels before DLP for better automatic classification
  • Use pilot groups and simulation mode for testing before broad deployment
  • Coordinate labels, DLP policies, and retention for consistency across tools
  • Regular review of protection effectiveness using Activity Explorer metrics
  • Document classification schema, label descriptions, and protection rationale
  • Deploy Microsoft Purview Information Protection scanner for on-premises discovery
  • Configure trainable classifiers with sufficient training documents (300+ per category)
  • Use administrative units to scope policies for multinational or large organizations
  • Implement label inheritance to ensure consistent classification through workflows
  • Monitor Copilot location policies to balance security with AI productivity
  • Create label policy with clear visual markings and user guidance tooltips

Security considerations

  • Broad access to protection controls - monitor all changes with audit logging
  • Can access Content Explorer showing actual content of labeled files organization-wide
  • Policy and label changes affect entire organization or scoped admin units
  • Should maintain separation from IT infrastructure admin roles for segregation of duties
  • Consider Privileged Identity Management (PIM) for just-in-time activation
  • Encryption templates and rights management changes can lock users out of files
  • Auto-labeling with encryption can be difficult to reverse once applied
  • On-premises scanner service account requires appropriate directory permissions
  • Trainable classifiers may inadvertently expose sensitive content during training
  • Content Explorer access requires separate role and should be limited to investigative needs

Common questions

When should I assign the Information Protection role?

Assign Information Protection when you need to: Chief Information Security Officer with comprehensive oversight responsibility; Data Protection Officer managing full information protection compliance program; Information governance lead implementing enterprise-wide protection strategy; Senior compliance architect designing multi-layered protection framework; and Security operations lead coordinating DLP, encryption, and classification. It is part of Microsoft Purview and should be granted as a least-privilege alternative to broader roles like Global Administrator.

What can someone with the Information Protection role do?

The Information Protection role grants permissions including: DLP Policies - All DLP policy creation and management (Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, Copilot, Devices); Sensitivity Labels - Create and configure sensitivity labels with encryption and marking; Auto-Labeling - Configure auto-labeling policies with machine learning classifiers; Trainable Classifiers - Manage trainable classifiers (custom and pre-built); Content Explorer - Access Content Explorer (view labeled file content); and Activity Explorer - Access Activity Explorer (view labeling and DLP events). See the Permissions section above for the full list.

What are the security risks of the Information Protection role?

Key considerations when assigning Information Protection: Broad access to protection controls - monitor all changes with audit logging; Can access Content Explorer showing actual content of labeled files organization-wide; Policy and label changes affect entire organization or scoped admin units; and Should maintain separation from IT infrastructure admin roles for segregation of duties. Review the Security considerations section before assignment, and pair with Privileged Identity Management (PIM) for just-in-time access where possible.

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