Which term describes a defined pattern that can be recognized by a regular expression or function?

The correct response is sensitive information type. This term refers to predefined classifications of data that share common characteristics, which can be identified using regular expressions or specific functions. Sensitive information types are essential for recognizing and classifying data within Microsoft Information Protection, enabling organizations to enforce protection and compliance measures effectively.

Sensitive information types can include patterns for various data elements like credit card numbers, social security numbers, or other personally identifiable information (PII). Through the use of regular expressions, these patterns can be automatically detected in documents and communications, facilitating automated responses when sensitive data is identified. This recognition plays a crucial role in protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.

The other choices do not fit this definition. Labels are used for classifying and protecting content but do not inherently describe a recognized pattern. Retention policies define how long data should be retained or deleted, focusing on data lifecycle management rather than pattern recognition. Data loss prevention policies help to manage risks related to data exposure but are not focused specifically on the identification of defined patterns.