New Improved SharePoint Security and Compliance Features

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Regulatory compliance plays a crucial role in maintaining robust cybersecurity within organizations. Adhering to a framework of laws, regulations, and guidelines set forth by government and regulatory bodies is imperative. These regulations apply universally, irrespective of an organization’s size, and are designed to bolster the security of critical business data. Regulatory authorities ensure strict adherence to these regulations, placing a strong emphasis on compliance. Some notable regulatory compliance requirements for organizations encompass the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

New SharePoint Features for Compliance

SharePoint stands as a dynamic web-based collaborative platform embraced by a vast user base worldwide. In prioritizing security, SharePoint offers a range of compliance features, including robust data encryption, detailed audit trails, and robust two-factor authentication, among others. Adhering to these essential regulations is paramount to preempting potential future challenges. Microsoft has notably elevated SharePoint’s potential through the unveiling of enhanced compliance capabilities during the Ignite 2019 conference. Highlighted below are key updates that significantly bolster SharePoint’s compliance framework:

• Setting expiration periods for external access
  This functionality empowers the organization to define a designated timeframe for external access to SharePoint content. Essentially, it grants you the ability to control the duration during which an external user can reach and interact with the SharePoint data. For example, if you establish a 30-day expiration window, external users will have access to the content for a maximum of 30 days; subsequent to this period, their access will be revoked. Given the dynamic nature of business needs, you have the flexibility to easily prolong or retract the expiration period in alignment with your evolving requirements.
• Restricting internal communication between certain user groups
  The introduction of this new feature establishes a barrier, enhancing control over communication and document sharing among specific users. The primary objective of this update is to bolster the security measures within SharePoint. Segments of information are now configured within the Microsoft 365 compliance center to enable seamless implementation of this feature. Subsequently, administrators can enforce policies to effectively regulate and restrict communication channels.
• Automated detection and labeling of sensitive data
  Organizations handle a wealth of sensitive data that necessitates stringent security and efficient management. Microsoft has addressed this imperative by introducing an innovative feature dedicated to safeguarding private information. This feature employs sensitivity labels assigned to emails and documents, ensuring the confidentiality of vital data. The assigned sensitivity level can be tailored to meet specific confidentiality requirements. The use of sensitivity labels within this feature offers a comprehensive range of security measures, empowering users to control access to sensitive information and effectively manage data encryption, among other protective protocols.

  The new feature introduced in the SharePoint extends its functionality as follows:

  Enhanced Indexing for Protected Content: In this latest update, SharePoint now offers improved indexing capabilities for labeled documents with associated metadata. This advancement enhances the process of labeling specific content, making it more efficient and accurate. With this update, users can now seamlessly label sensitive information within SharePoint, automating the process for greater convenience and security.

  Automated Sensitivity Labeling: The latest update offers a valuable feature for users who may overlook labeling sensitive data in SharePoint. It incorporates an advanced AI engine that effectively addresses this issue by identifying and appropriately labeling specific files. However, it’s important to highlight that the automated labeling functionality is accessible once a relevant policy has been established within the Office 365 compliance center, and the rules for determining file sensitivity through the AI engine have been appropriately configured.

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Conclusion

In light of the rapidly evolving landscape of compliance requirements, leveraging the compliance features within SharePoint has become indispensable to mitigate potential future challenges. Microsoft has proactively responded to this necessity by introducing a suite of enhanced compliance features for SharePoint, reinforcing the platform’s security. These aforementioned features play a crucial role in fortifying the security mechanisms of SharePoint, ultimately bolstering the overall reliability and safety of the platform.