What is Microsoft Purview and How Can It Help My Business? Complete Compliance & Security Guide
What is Microsoft Purview and How Can It Help My Business?
What is Microsoft Purview and how can it help my business is a question many organisations are asking as compliance requirements, cyber threats, and data privacy regulations continue to evolve. Businesses today must understand where their data lives, who has access to it, and how it is protected.
Microsoft Purview is Microsoft’s unified data governance, compliance, and risk management platform. It helps organisations discover, classify, protect, and monitor data across Microsoft 365, Azure, on-premises systems, and third-party cloud applications.
In this guide, we explain what Microsoft Purview is, how it works, and how it strengthens compliance, cybersecurity, and Essential Eight alignment for Australian businesses.
What is Microsoft Purview and How Can It Help My Business with Data Governance?
Microsoft Purview combines multiple compliance and security capabilities into one integrated solution. According to Microsoft’s official overview, Purview enables organisations to govern, protect, and manage data wherever it resides.
Learn more directly from Microsoft here:
Microsoft Purview Official Overview.
Key governance features include:
- Automated data discovery
- Sensitivity classification and labelling
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
- Insider risk management
- Advanced audit logging
- Records and retention management
This unified approach eliminates the need for fragmented compliance tools and provides a central compliance dashboard within Microsoft 365.
How Microsoft Purview Protects Sensitive Business Information
Automated Data Classification
Microsoft Purview automatically scans emails, documents, SharePoint libraries, and Teams conversations to identify sensitive information such as financial records, customer data, tax file numbers, and intellectual property.
When answering What is Microsoft Purview and how can it help my business, visibility is the first step. You cannot protect what you cannot see.
Sensitivity Labels and Encryption
Purview allows administrators to apply sensitivity labels that:
- Encrypt documents automatically
- Restrict sharing permissions
- Prevent external forwarding
- Apply classification markings like “Confidential”
These protections integrate seamlessly into Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
DLP policies prevent accidental or intentional data leaks. For example, Purview can block staff from emailing credit card numbers externally or uploading sensitive files to unauthorised platforms.
What is Microsoft Purview and How Can It Help My Business Meet Essential 8 Compliance?
For Australian organisations, compliance with the Essential Eight framework is increasingly important. Microsoft Purview supports several Essential Eight mitigation strategies, including monitoring, access control, and incident response.
Through Purview’s auditing and protection capabilities, businesses can strengthen alignment with:
Essential 8 Compliance Services.
Purview assists with:
- Audit logging and monitoring
- Restricting administrative privileges
- Data classification and protection
- Investigation of suspicious behaviour
- Retention and governance policies
When implemented properly, Microsoft Purview becomes a powerful compliance control layer within your Microsoft environment.
Auditing, eDiscovery and Cyber Security Investigations
Another important aspect of What is Microsoft Purview and how can it help my business relates to audit and investigation capabilities.
Advanced Audit Logs
Purview provides detailed audit trails across Microsoft 365 environments, enabling organisations to:
- Track suspicious user activity
- Investigate insider threats
- Respond to data breaches
- Prepare compliance reports
If your organisation requires a formal review, our Cyber Security Audit Services can assess your Microsoft environment and compliance posture.
eDiscovery and Legal Hold
In the event of litigation or regulatory review, Purview allows advanced eDiscovery to quickly locate relevant communications and documents, reducing legal risk and investigation time.
Microsoft Licensing and Implementation Support
Microsoft Purview capabilities depend on the Microsoft 365 licensing tier you hold. Choosing the right licence is critical to unlocking the required compliance features.
Our team at BIZ-LYNX provides expert guidance on Microsoft 365 Licensing, ensuring your business has the correct subscriptions for Purview compliance features.
For implementation and configuration advice, speak with our IT Consultants in Perth.
Ongoing security management is available through our IT Support Helpdesk Services and Cybersecurity Services.
Benefits of Microsoft Purview for Modern Businesses
To summarise, when asking What is Microsoft Purview and how can it help my business, the core benefits include:
- Improved compliance and regulatory alignment
- Reduced data breach risk
- Centralised compliance management
- Enhanced audit and reporting capabilities
- Better visibility across hybrid and cloud environments
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Microsoft Purview and how can it help my business improve compliance?
Microsoft Purview helps businesses improve compliance by providing automated data classification, audit logging, Data Loss Prevention policies, and reporting tools that align with frameworks such as Essential Eight.
Is Microsoft Purview included in Microsoft 365?
Some Purview features are included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium and E3 licences, while advanced compliance capabilities may require E5 licensing.
Can Microsoft Purview help during a cyber security investigation?
Yes. Microsoft Purview provides detailed audit logs and eDiscovery capabilities that assist with investigating security incidents and meeting regulatory obligations.
Does Microsoft Purview support Essential Eight compliance?
Microsoft Purview supports several Essential Eight mitigation strategies, particularly around monitoring, access control, and data protection.
Ready to Strengthen Your Compliance and Data Governance?
If you are still asking What is Microsoft Purview and how can it help my business, the next step is a tailored compliance assessment.
Contact the experts at BIZ-LYNX Technology today to discuss Microsoft Purview implementation, Essential Eight alignment, licensing advice, and security auditing.
