📊 Understanding Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) in Microsoft 365 helps protect sensitive information like credit card numbers, Aadhaar IDs, financial records, and intellectual property from being shared accidentally or maliciously outside your organization.

🔎 What is DLP?

DLP policies identify, monitor, and automatically protect sensitive items by blocking sharing, sending alerts, or encrypting content in Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams.

✅ Key Benefits

• Prevent leaks of confidential data like PAN, Aadhaar, or bank info
• Comply with industry regulations (HIPAA, GDPR, etc.)
• Monitor activity across email, cloud storage, and Teams chats
• Receive admin alerts and user policy tips in real-time

🛠️ How to Set Up a DLP Policy

1. Go to Microsoft Purview Compliance Portal
2. Navigate to Data loss prevention > Policy
3. Click Create policy
4. Select a template (e.g., Financial, India Aadhaar, Credit Card, etc.)
5. Choose the locations to monitor (Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams)
6. Set the conditions, actions (block, warn, encrypt), and notifications
7. Review and publish the policy

📂 Common Built-In DLP Templates

• India Aadhaar Number
• Credit Card Information
• Financial Data (SWIFT, IBAN, etc.)
• Health Records (HIPAA)