Govern, Secure, and Protect Your Data Estate

In this third installment of the Microsoft Federal Civilian Data Modernization Office Hours, attendees explored the critical pillars of data governance and security within the Microsoft Purview ecosystem. The session featured expert insights from James Serra, a technical specialist in Data & AI, and James Province, a compliance and risk specialist with a legal background. Together, they demystified the evolving Microsoft Purview platform—an umbrella suite that unifies Azure Purview’s structured data governance tools with Microsoft 365’s unstructured data security capabilities. The session included: A deep dive into data cataloging, classification, and lineage tracking using the unified catalog and data map. Best practices for metadata management, glossary creation, and access governance. A walkthrough of sensitivity labeling, data loss prevention (DLP), and insider risk management for unstructured data like emails, documents, and AI prompts. Clarification on GCC vs. Commercial feature availability, including portal navigation and upcoming capabilities like data quality scoring and data security posture management. Real-world demos showing how to scan, classify, and secure data across hybrid environments, including on-premises and multi-cloud sources. This session emphasized the importance of aligning policy makers and implementers to maximize the value of Microsoft Purview and ensure a secure, compliant, and discoverable data estate.