What is sensitive information type used for?

The definition and purpose of sensitive information types are crucial in Microsoft Information Protection. These types are designed to identify specific patterns of data that can indicate the presence of sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, or health records. By using predefined patterns and rules, organizations can effectively detect and classify sensitive data within their environments.

Identifying patterns of data is essential for organizations to maintain compliance with regulatory standards and protect individuals’ privacy. Sensitive information types allow administrators to set policies that trigger protective actions when sensitive data is detected, which in turn helps prevent data leakage and misuse.

While classifying business-critical documents and automating data handling processes are important aspects of data management and security, the primary role of sensitive information types focuses on data identification. Similarly, securing user accounts pertains more to identity management rather than data classification.