Microsoft Azure Purview - Detailed Review

Data Tools

Microsoft Azure Purview - Detailed Review Contents
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    Microsoft Azure Purview - Product Overview



    Microsoft Purview Overview

    Microsoft Purview, formerly known as Azure Purview, is a comprehensive data governance solution that provides a unified approach to managing and securing your data estate.

    Primary Function

    Microsoft Purview’s primary function is to offer a single pane of glass for managing data governance. It automates data discovery, classification, and lineage tracking across your entire data landscape, including on-premises, multicloud, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) data sources. This helps in creating a holistic, up-to-date map of your data, ensuring it is secure, trustworthy, and easily accessible.

    Target Audience

    The target audience for Microsoft Purview includes data curators, security administrators, and business users within organizations. It is particularly beneficial for companies that need to manage large volumes of data from various sources and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.

    Key Features



    Data Discovery and Classification

    Microsoft Purview automates the discovery and classification of data across your data estate. This feature helps in identifying and categorizing sensitive data, ensuring appropriate handling and protection measures are in place.

    Data Cataloging

    The solution includes a data catalog that makes data sources easily discoverable and understandable. Users can register data sources, enrich their metadata, and annotate them with descriptions, tags, or other metadata. This facilitates quick discovery and consumption of data for various business needs.

    Data Lineage

    Microsoft Purview provides end-to-end data lineage, allowing users to trace the origin, movement, and transformation of data. This feature is crucial for maintaining data integrity and compliance.

    Data Policy and Access Management

    The Data Policy app enables centralized management of access to data sources. It allows for fine-grained access policies, self-service access requests, and the principle of least privilege, ensuring that access is granted securely and efficiently.

    Compliance and Risk Management

    Microsoft Purview integrates compliance and risk management capabilities, helping organizations adhere to regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA. It provides tools for setting data protection policies and tracking their enforcement.

    Conclusion

    In summary, Microsoft Purview is a powerful tool for organizations seeking to govern, protect, and manage their data in a unified and secure manner. It offers a range of features that simplify data management, enhance security, and ensure compliance across diverse data environments.

    Microsoft Azure Purview - User Interface and Experience



    User Interface of Microsoft Purview

    The user interface of Microsoft Purview, which includes the capabilities of Azure Purview, is designed with a focus on accessibility, usability, and intuitive navigation.



    User-Friendly Interface

    Microsoft Purview’s interface is created to be user-friendly, even for non-technical staff. It features straightforward navigation, making it easy for users to access various data governance tools without requiring extensive technical knowledge.



    Customization Options

    While the interface does not support aesthetic customizations such as changing the background photo or adding a company logo, it does offer customization and personalization options in other areas. Users can configure dashboards, set preferences, and create personalized reports to enhance user engagement and efficiency.



    Data Governance Tools

    The interface provides a centralized control area, often referred to as Purview Studio, where developers, administrators, and end-users can work through the various services offered by Microsoft Purview. This includes tools for data cataloging, data classification, and data lineage visualization, which help users discover data, understand its origins, and manage it effectively.



    Streamlined User Experience

    The new governance experience in Microsoft Purview offers a more streamlined and intuitive user interface. This upgrade provides a single, organization-wide instance of Microsoft Purview, making it easier for users to access and manage their data assets. The interface is continuously updated with new features, improved navigation, and enhanced security measures to ensure it remains aligned with evolving user needs.



    Accessibility and Efficiency

    The interface is designed to expose infrastructure gaps, avoid inconsistencies, reduce time delays, and manage project costs. It empowers users to manage data more efficiently by focusing on projects that add value. The data catalog, for example, allows users to discover data through familiar search terms, eliminate the need for Excel data dictionaries, and understand data origins through lineage visualization.



    Conclusion

    Overall, Microsoft Purview’s user interface is engineered to be intuitive, accessible, and efficient, making data governance tasks more manageable and user-friendly for a wide range of users.

    Microsoft Azure Purview - Key Features and Functionality



    Microsoft Purview Overview

    Microsoft Purview, the successor to Azure Purview, is a comprehensive suite of tools focused on data governance, security, and compliance. Here are the main features and how they work, including the integration of AI.

    Data Security

    Microsoft Purview offers a robust suite of data security solutions. This includes:

    Data Loss Prevention

    Identifies and protects sensitive data from unauthorized access or leakage.

    Information Barriers

    Controls who can access and share information within the organization.

    Information Protection

    Applies encryption and access controls to sensitive data.

    Insider Risk Management

    Detects and mitigates insider threats by monitoring user activities.

    Privileged Access Management

    Manages and secures access to sensitive data and resources by privileged users.

    Data Governance

    Purview provides unified data governance solutions across various environments, including on-premises, multi-cloud, and SaaS.

    Data Catalog

    Automatically scans, classifies, and catalogs data assets, making it easier for both business and technical users to discover data. It also offers advanced data curation features and visual tracing of data asset lineage.

    Data Map

    Automates data discovery by scanning and classifying assets across the data estate, providing a holistic view of the data landscape.

    Data Estate Insights

    Offers governance stakeholders a comprehensive overview of the data estate, providing actionable insights into governance gaps.

    Risk and Compliance

    Purview includes tools to manage compliance risks and meet regulatory requirements.

    Audit and Compliance

    Features like Microsoft Purview Audit, Communication Compliance, Compliance Manager, and eDiscovery help in managing compliance risks and ensuring regulatory adherence.

    Data Lifecycle Management

    Manages data through its lifecycle with policies and controls to ensure data integrity and security in compliance with regulatory requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO.

    Data Discovery and Classification



    Data Discovery

    Automatically identifies and classifies data across the digital estate, helping organizations understand the type of data they hold and ensure appropriate handling and protection measures.

    Data Classification

    Classifies data by sensitivity labels and compliance requirements, ensuring that data is handled according to its sensitivity level.

    Data Protection and Privacy Management



    Data Protection Policies

    Allows setting and tracking data protection policies to ensure compliance with privacy regulations.

    Sensitivity Labels

    Recognizes and honors sensitivity labels of the data being accessed, protecting sensitive data generated by applications and limiting data access to authorized users only.

    AI Integration

    Microsoft Purview integrates AI in several ways:

    Automated Data Discovery and Classification

    AI-driven tools automatically scan, classify, and catalog data assets, making data discovery and governance more efficient.

    Data Lineage

    AI helps in tracing the movement and transformation of data across systems, providing a clear lineage of data assets.

    Compliance and Risk Management

    AI-enhanced tools like audit and compliance features help in identifying and mitigating compliance risks through advanced analytics and insights.

    Integration with Other Tools

    Purview integrates with various Microsoft and third-party tools:

    Microsoft 365

    Integrates with Microsoft 365 applications such as Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, and OneDrive to ensure data is searchable and discoverable across the suite.

    Azure Services

    Integrates with Azure services like Azure Data Lake Storage, Azure Synapse Analytics, and more to leverage existing investments in Azure infrastructure.

    Copilot Studio and Azure AI Studio

    Provides data security and compliance features to developers using these platforms, ensuring that custom-built AI applications adhere to enterprise-grade security and governance standards. These features and integrations make Microsoft Purview a powerful tool for managing data governance, security, and compliance, leveraging AI to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

    Microsoft Azure Purview - Performance and Accuracy



    Microsoft Azure Purview Overview

    As a comprehensive data governance, security, and compliance solution, Microsoft Azure Purview demonstrates several strengths and areas for improvement, particularly in its performance and accuracy within the AI-driven data tools category.



    Performance



    Data Quality and Profiling

    Azure Purview’s data quality features are quite advanced, leveraging AI to enhance data profiling and continuous improvement of underlying AI models. It allows users to evaluate data quality using no-code/low-code rules, including out-of-the-box (OOB) rules and AI-generated rules. These rules are applied at the column level and aggregated to provide scores at various levels, ensuring end-to-end visibility of data quality.



    Scalability and Integration

    Purview can manage data services across on-premises, multicloud, and SaaS environments, including Azure storage services, Power BI, and databases like SQL or Hive. It provides a unified data governance solution that helps in creating an up-to-date map of the entire data estate, identifying sensitive data, and managing access securely.



    Automation and Monitoring

    The platform offers features like scheduling data quality scanning jobs, monitoring data quality job status, and configuring alerts to notify data owners and stewards about data quality issues. This automation helps in maintaining consistent data quality over time.



    Accuracy



    AI-Powered Insights

    Azure Purview’s AI-enabled data profiling and rule generation contribute significantly to the accuracy of data insights. The iterative process of profiling and refining recommendations enhances the accuracy of data profiling and improves the underlying AI models.



    Comprehensive Data Governance

    Purview’s unified catalog and data map help in registering and scanning data sources, identifying sensitive data, and ensuring data integrity. This comprehensive approach ensures that data is accurate, complete, and consistent across the data estate.



    Limitations and Areas for Improvement



    Connectivity and Integration

    One of the significant limitations is the difficulty in connecting to non-Microsoft data sources, such as Android devices, SaaS devices, and other cloud vendors like AWS and GCS. The process of setting up connectors for third-party sources can be tricky due to limited documentation.



    Documentation and Support

    Users have reported challenges with the documentation, which often fails to keep up with the rapid pace of feature changes. This lack of clear documentation, especially for permission requirements and role functions, can hinder the setup and use of Purview in production environments.



    Compliance and Multi-Language Support

    Purview lacks out-of-the-box functionality for defining sensitive information types and keywords in multiple languages, which is a significant issue for multilingual environments. The compliance framework also needs improvement, particularly in rolling out and proving adherence to regulatory requirements.



    Reporting and OCR Functionality

    The reporting functionality in Purview is not satisfactory and often requires additional configuration using tools like Power BI. Additionally, Purview lacks OCR (Optical Character Recognition) functionality, which can be a limitation for certain use cases.



    Data Loss Prevention and Endpoint Management

    There are also concerns about the effectiveness of Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for Mac endpoints and the inability to push policies or updates in real-time to devices. This can lead to delays and inefficiencies in managing device compliance.

    In summary, while Microsoft Azure Purview offers strong performance and accuracy in data governance and quality, it has several areas that need improvement, particularly in connectivity, documentation, compliance, and reporting functionalities. Addressing these limitations will be crucial for enhancing the overall user experience and effectiveness of the platform.

    Microsoft Azure Purview - Pricing and Plans



    Pricing Structure of Microsoft Azure Purview

    The pricing structure of Microsoft Azure Purview, particularly in the Data Tools and AI-driven product category, is structured around several key components and plans. Here’s a detailed outline of the different tiers, features, and any free options available.

    Pricing Model

    Microsoft Purview operates on a consumption-based and subscription-based pricing model.

    New Pricing Model (Effective January 6, 2025)

    The new pricing model for Microsoft Purview Data Governance includes two main meters:
    • Number of unique governed assets per day: This meter counts the number of technical assets (such as tables, files, datasets, etc.) that are actively managed and associated with governance concepts.
    • Data Management processing units per run: This meter is based on the processing units required for data management activities.


    Classic Pricing Model

    For the classic data governance solutions, pricing is based on a pay-as-you-go model, but it is being phased out in favor of the new model. The classic model involved various dimensions such as the number of assets protected and data security processing units.

    Plans and Features



    Free Version

    Microsoft Purview offers a free version that allows users to catalog Azure data sources without any charges or complex setup. This version includes:
    • Data Catalog: Users can view and catalog data from Azure Blob Storage, Azure Data Lake Storage Gen 2, Azure SQL Database, and Azure subscriptions.
    • Live View: Automatically imports metadata from these sources into the Microsoft Purview portal.
    • Basic Access Management: Access is managed through the rights granted to the resources in the Azure portal.


    Enterprise Version

    The enterprise version of Microsoft Purview includes additional features beyond the free version:
    • Broader Range of Data Sources: Supports more Azure services (e.g., Azure Synapse, Azure Data Factory, Power BI) and allows the addition of on-premises and multi-cloud sources.
    • Advanced Access Management: Access to metadata is defined at the level of a collection in the data map, independent of the data source access.
    • Bulk Editing and Automatic Classification: Enhances the data catalog capabilities with bulk editing and automatic classification of assets.
    • Additional Features: Includes more powerful features such as image support and other advanced governance capabilities.


    Data Security and Data Loss Prevention

    For data security and data loss prevention, pricing is based on:
    • Number of Assets Protected: Billing is calculated based on the number of assets that are auto-labeled and protected under these policies.
    • Insider Risk Management: Billed based on the data security processing unit (DSPU), which is defined as the compute required to process 10,000 user activity logs.


    Prerequisites

    To use Microsoft Purview, you need an Azure subscription in the same tenant as Microsoft Purview and an Azure resource group within that subscription. Existing resources can also be used with Microsoft Purview. In summary, Microsoft Purview offers a flexible pricing model with both free and enterprise options, each with distinct features and capabilities to suit different organizational needs.

    Microsoft Azure Purview - Integration and Compatibility



    Microsoft Azure Purview Overview

    Microsoft Azure Purview is a comprehensive data governance tool that integrates with various systems and tools to manage and govern data effectively. Here’s how it integrates with other tools and its compatibility across different platforms:

    Integration with Azure Services

    Azure Purview can be integrated seamlessly with other Azure services. For example, you can connect Azure Data Factory to Microsoft Purview to track data lineage and ingest data sources. This integration allows users to search and browse the Microsoft Purview Data Catalog directly from Data Factory without leaving the interface. To establish this connection, users need to have the Owner or Contributor role on their data factory, and the data factory must have a system-assigned managed identity enabled.

    Integration with Microsoft 365 and Other Microsoft Tools

    Azure Purview integrates well with Microsoft 365 and other Microsoft tools. It can extend Microsoft 365 sensitivity labels to assets and database columns in Purview, helping to track highly valuable assets using Microsoft Defender for Cloud. This integration provides inventory, alerts, and recommendations based on the sensitivity labels assigned to the assets.

    Support for Cloud Platforms

    Azure Purview supports native integrations with cloud platforms such as Google Drive and Dropbox, allowing it to monitor and classify files synced from these platforms. It also has the ability to collect metadata from sources like SQL databases and AWS S3 through data connectors available in the Purview Data Map.

    On-Premises and Third-Party Systems

    For on-premises data sources, Azure Purview uses self-hosted integration runtimes to scan data. This setup can be installed on an on-premises Windows machine or on a VM inside an Azure virtual network. For third-party systems like SAP or Oracle, Purview typically requires custom connectors or third-party integration solutions, as native support is limited.

    Integration Runtime Options

    Azure Purview offers different integration runtime options to scan data sources, including the Azure integration runtime, Managed VNet integration runtime, and self-hosted integration runtime. The choice of integration runtime depends on the type of data source (e.g., on-premises, VM-based, or cloud-based) and the desired level of security and control. For example, the self-hosted integration runtime is necessary for scanning on-premises and VM-based data sources, while the Azure integration runtime or Managed VNet integration runtime can be used for cloud-based data sources to reduce cost and administrative overhead.

    Security and Authentication

    Azure Purview emphasizes strong security practices. Credentials are stored in Azure Key Vault and registered inside Microsoft Purview. Users must assign the necessary permissions (e.g., get and list access for secrets) to ensure that the credentials work correctly. Additionally, Purview supports role assignments for control plane and data plane operations, allowing fine-grained control over user access and permissions.

    Conclusion

    In summary, Azure Purview integrates well with various Azure services, Microsoft tools, and some cloud platforms, while requiring custom solutions for certain third-party and on-premises systems. Its flexibility in integration runtime options and strong security features make it a versatile tool for data governance.

    Microsoft Azure Purview - Customer Support and Resources



    Microsoft Azure Purview Support and Resources



    Support Options



    Technical Support
    For technical issues, Azure customers need to have a support plan. The support plans vary based on the severity of the issue and the type of workload. For example, the Standard plan provides initial response times between one hour and one business day for production workloads, while the Professional Direct (ProDirect) support offers faster response times, advisory services, and high-severity incident escalation management for business-critical functions.

    Billing and Subscription Support
    All Azure customers have access to billing and subscription management support, regardless of their technical support plan.

    Community Support
    Users can engage with community support by asking questions and getting answers from Microsoft engineers and Azure community experts. This can be done through various channels, including Twitter, where you can tweet @AzureSupport for help on popular topics.

    Microsoft Purview Specific Support
    Within the Microsoft Purview portal, users can access specific help and support options. Here, you can use the Help icon to start guided tours, access the Knowledge Center for articles, product demos, and tutorials, or select specific solution areas for self-help. If these resources do not resolve your issues, you can contact support via email or telephone to get assistance from a Microsoft agent.

    Additional Resources



    Microsoft Purview Portal
    The new Microsoft Purview portal offers a streamlined design and unified experience. It includes features such as live view to see your Azure data assets in real time, tenant-level administration for delegated roles, and data map history to audit changes. The portal also provides guided tours and a Knowledge Center with highlights, articles, and learning materials.

    Data Governance Tools
    Microsoft Purview allows you to register and scan multiple Azure sources, extract metadata, perform full and incremental scans, and classify data. It also supports lineage tracking and access policies. Users need to be Data Source Administrators and Data Readers to manage these sources effectively.

    Real-Time Dashboards and Alerts
    Azure provides tools like Azure Service Health for personalized dashboards and alerts about service issues and planned maintenance. Azure Monitor helps in collecting, analyzing, and acting on telemetry data to maximize application performance and availability. Additionally, Azure Advisor offers personalized recommendations to optimize Azure resources based on usage analysis. By leveraging these support options and resources, users of Microsoft Azure Purview can effectively manage their data governance, resolve technical issues, and optimize their Azure services.

    Microsoft Azure Purview - Pros and Cons



    Advantages of Microsoft Azure Purview

    Microsoft Azure Purview offers several significant advantages for organizations looking to manage and govern their data effectively:

    Unified Data Governance

    Purview provides a unified data governance solution that helps manage data across on-premises, multicloud, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) environments. This includes registering and scanning data sources to map the entire data estate and identify sensitive data.

    Data Cataloging and Lineage

    Purview automatically scans, classifies, and catalogs data assets, and it follows the data sources, movement, and transformation across systems. This feature helps in maintaining a clear data lineage, which is crucial for data governance and compliance.

    Compliance and Regulatory Adherence

    Purview streamlines regulatory compliance by enabling companies to adhere to regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, ISO, and more. It ensures that data is used in compliance with these regulations, mitigating risks and fostering trust within the organization.

    Data Insights and Analytics

    The platform generates valuable insights on data usage, patterns, and compliance metrics. This helps inform decision-making and data governance strategies, allowing organizations to better understand their data landscape and optimize data management.

    Integration with Azure and Microsoft 365

    Purview integrates seamlessly with other Azure services, such as Azure Data Lake Storage and Azure Synapse Analytics, as well as Microsoft 365 applications like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, and OneDrive. This integration keeps the platform unified for data governance and leverages existing investments in Azure infrastructure.

    Access Control and Permissions

    Purview offers a detailed permission system, including tenant/organization-level permissions, data access permissions, and domain/collection permissions. This ensures that users have the appropriate access to governance tools and data assets based on their roles.

    Disadvantages of Microsoft Azure Purview

    Despite its numerous benefits, Microsoft Azure Purview also has some notable drawbacks:

    Additional Costs

    Using Purview can involve extra costs, particularly for eDiscovery searches. These costs include the need for E5 licenses or equivalent add-ons for each custodian, as well as additional Azure processing and storage fees.

    Limited Search Capabilities

    Purview’s eDiscovery and search solutions lack advanced search features, such as the ability to search by multiple parameters simultaneously. This can lead to time-consuming searches, especially when dealing with large datasets.

    Limited Support for Non-Microsoft Products

    Purview is primarily designed for Microsoft products and lacks comprehensive support for non-Microsoft systems like Zoom, Google Drive, Slack, or Workplace from Meta. This can create blind spots in data governance for organizations with diverse data ecosystems.

    Complexity and User Experience

    The platform’s complexity can increase the total cost of ownership and present challenges for users. For example, performing native analysis on search indexes may require a Microsoft Consultant or a third-party analytical solution, adding to the complexity and cost.

    Permission Propagation Delays

    For users newly created in Microsoft Entra ID, there may be delays in permission propagation, even after the correct permissions have been applied. This can cause temporary access issues for new users. By understanding these advantages and disadvantages, organizations can make informed decisions about whether Microsoft Azure Purview aligns with their data governance and compliance needs.

    Microsoft Azure Purview - Comparison with Competitors



    When Comparing Microsoft Purview with Competitors

    When comparing Microsoft Purview (formerly Azure Purview) with its competitors in the data governance and management space, several key features and differences stand out.



    Integration and Ecosystem

    Microsoft Purview integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products, such as Microsoft 365 and Azure services, which can be a significant advantage for organizations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. However, integrating Purview with non-Microsoft systems or third-party applications often requires additional customization, which can be a limitation.

    In contrast, alternatives like Ataccama One and IBM Cloud Pak for Data offer more flexible integration options. Ataccama One supports on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments and integrates well with various data sources, including big data platforms and data lakes. IBM Cloud Pak for Data, built on data fabric technology, also supports integration with a wide range of data sources and can be deployed on-premises or as a managed service in IBM’s cloud.



    AI and Automation

    Microsoft Purview leverages AI and machine learning for data discovery, classification, and governance, but it may not be as comprehensive as some of its competitors. For instance, Ataccama One uses AI-driven data discovery and classification, and includes generative AI (GenAI) capabilities that allow users to ask questions in natural language. It also features an AI agent that autonomously executes assigned tasks.

    Collibra Data Governance and Erwin Data Intelligence by Quest also utilize AI and machine learning extensively. Collibra Data Governance includes automated incident workflows and integrates with data catalog, data lineage, and data quality tools. Erwin Data Intelligence uses AI and machine learning for data quality, observability, and to automate governance workflows.



    Data Governance and Compliance

    Microsoft Purview is strong in managing end-to-end data risks and regulatory compliance, especially within the Microsoft ecosystem. However, Informatica Cloud Data Governance and Catalog and OneTrust Data Discovery & Classification offer equally robust compliance features. Informatica’s tool includes integrated data lineage, data quality, and data observability functions, along with curated data marketplaces and collaboration features.

    OneTrust Data Discovery & Classification combines data discovery, classification, and governance with over 300 out-of-the-box classifiers and AI-driven classification for unstructured data. It also integrates with data privacy, risk management, and other related programs.



    User Experience and Deployment

    Microsoft Purview can be challenging to use, especially for those not familiar with the Microsoft ecosystem, and it has limited policy customization options.

    In contrast, Erwin Data Intelligence by Quest and IBM Cloud Pak for Data offer more user-friendly interfaces. Erwin Data Intelligence includes a data marketplace and supports self-service data discovery and stewardship, making it more accessible to a broader range of users.

    IBM Cloud Pak for Data features a cloud-native platform with AI-driven data discovery, profiling, and cataloging capabilities, which can be deployed on-premises or as a managed service, offering flexibility in deployment options.



    Unique Features and Alternatives

    • Ataccama One: Known for its unified platform that combines data governance, quality, and management. It includes AI-driven data discovery and classification, and is scalable for large enterprises.
    • Collibra Data Governance: Focuses on operationalizing governance workflows, creating a shared language about data assets, and making it easier to find and understand relevant data. It includes a business glossary, data dictionary, and reference data management capabilities.
    • IBM Cloud Pak for Data: Offers a comprehensive platform that supports data governance, quality, and privacy initiatives. It includes tools like IBM Knowledge Catalog, IBM Manta Data Lineage, and IBM Data Product Hub.
    • Informatica Cloud Data Governance and Catalog: Combines data governance and cataloging capabilities with integrated data lineage, data quality, and data observability functions. It supports curated data marketplaces and collaboration features.

    Each of these alternatives offers unique features that may better align with specific organizational needs, particularly for those requiring more flexible integration options, advanced AI capabilities, or user-friendly interfaces.

    Microsoft Azure Purview - Frequently Asked Questions



    What is Microsoft Azure Purview?

    Microsoft Azure Purview is a data governance tool that offers a unified, cloud-based approach to data discovery, management, and protection. It helps businesses discover sensitive data, ensure regulatory compliance, and gain insights into their data assets.



    How does Azure Purview classify data?

    Azure Purview uses machine learning algorithms to classify data based on its content. It supports both system and custom taxonomies. System classification includes over 200 out-of-the-box classifiers, while custom classification allows organizations to create rules based on regular expression patterns or dictionaries to classify assets according to specific needs.



    What is data lineage in Azure Purview?

    The data lineage feature in Azure Purview allows users to track the origins and transformations of data across various systems and applications. This helps data stewards understand the data flow and ensure it is used appropriately.



    How does Azure Purview support data governance across an organization?

    Azure Purview balances centralized control with decentralized execution. Centralized control establishes overarching policies and standards for data safety and quality, while decentralized execution allows for self-service access and maintenance. This approach is facilitated through governance domains that organize data by business concepts, such as Marketing, Finance, or Human Resources, making data more accessible and relevant to different parts of the organization.



    Does Microsoft Purview support data loss prevention (DLP) capabilities?

    No, the data map in Microsoft Purview does not currently provide data loss prevention capabilities. However, data loss prevention is supported for Microsoft 365 apps and services through Microsoft Purview Information Protection.



    Can I use the same self-hosted integration runtime (SHIR) for both Microsoft Purview and Azure Data Factory?

    No, you cannot use the same self-hosted integration runtime (SHIR) for both Microsoft Purview and Azure Data Factory. Each service requires its own separate SHIR.



    How is Microsoft Purview priced?

    The pricing model for Microsoft Purview Data Governance is based on two meters: the number of unique governed assets per day and the data management processing units per run. This new pricing model went into effect on January 6, 2025. To use Microsoft Purview, you need an Azure subscription and an Azure resource group in the same tenant.



    Does Microsoft Purview support Soft Delete?

    Yes, Microsoft Purview supports Soft Delete for Azure subscription status management. When an account is in a soft-delete state, all data plane API calls are blocked, and only GET/DELETE control plane API calls are allowed until the account is restored or deleted.



    How does Azure Purview improve data accessibility?

    Azure Purview improves data accessibility by organizing data into governance domains based on business concepts. This categorization makes it easier for users to find and access the necessary data, supporting more efficient data usage and decision-making.



    What are the benefits of using Azure Purview for data governance?

    Using Azure Purview helps in creating a comprehensive map of the data landscape through automated data discovery, sensitive data classification, and end-to-end lineage. It enables data curators and security administrators to manage and keep the data estate secure, ensuring that data is valuable and trustworthy. This approach streamlines data operations and prevents duplicate or redundant projects across multiple teams.

    Microsoft Azure Purview - Conclusion and Recommendation



    Final Assessment of Microsoft Azure Purview

    Microsoft Azure Purview is a comprehensive and powerful platform that addresses the critical needs of data governance, security, and compliance within organizations. Here’s a detailed assessment of its capabilities and who would benefit most from using it.

    Key Features and Capabilities



    Data Discovery and Classification
    Azure Purview automatically discovers and classifies sensitive data across various sources, including databases, big data stores, and cloud platforms. This feature ensures that organizations have a clear view of their data landscape and can identify and manage sensitive information effectively.

    Data Cataloguing
    The platform provides a centralized data catalog that makes all data sources easily discoverable and accessible. This catalog helps in managing the integrity of data, securing sensitive data, and driving business value from existing data sources.

    Sensitive Data Insights
    Azure Purview offers in-depth insights into where sensitive data resides, how it is moving, and how it is being used. This helps in maintaining data security and compliance.

    Automated Data Lineage Visualization
    The tool enables the visualization of data flow and transformation across its lifecycle, which is crucial for impact analysis and ensuring data accuracy.

    Data Security and Compliance
    Azure Purview includes a range of data security solutions such as Data Loss Prevention, Data Security Posture Management, and Information Protection. These features help in safeguarding sensitive information and adhering to regulatory requirements like GDPR and HIPAA.

    Who Would Benefit Most

    Azure Purview is particularly beneficial for organizations that deal with large volumes of data from diverse sources. Here are some key beneficiaries:

    IT Leaders and Data Governance Teams
    These teams can leverage Azure Purview to manage data governance, ensure compliance, and protect sensitive data across the entire data estate.

    Business Analysts and Data Scientists
    By providing a unified view of data sources and easy access to data catalogs, Azure Purview helps these professionals find and use the right data for their projects efficiently.

    Compliance and Risk Management Teams
    The platform’s risk and compliance solutions help these teams minimize compliance risks and meet regulatory requirements, ensuring the organization remains compliant with various data protection laws.

    Overall Recommendation

    Microsoft Azure Purview is an indispensable tool for any organization seeking to govern, protect, and manage their data effectively. Its ability to scan and classify data from multiple sources, provide a unified data catalog, and offer insights into data usage makes it a valuable asset for maintaining data security and compliance. Given its comprehensive set of features and the benefits it offers, Azure Purview is highly recommended for organizations looking to enhance their data governance practices, ensure data security, and streamline data management processes. It is particularly suited for large enterprises with complex data landscapes and those operating in regulated industries where data compliance is crucial.

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