1. What are sensitivity labels and why do we need encryption?

Sensitivity Labels are a form of encryption that apply to files and emails. Their purpose is to make data unreadable to people outside of the company in case of a data leak or breach. This guide will help you understand how to use Sensitivity Labelling to protect your data.


Labelling Files:


Microsoft Office Files (Word, Excel, etc.):

These files have the Sensitivity Label option built into the software.

To apply or remove encryption, click the Sensitivity button.


Non-Microsoft Office Files (PDF, TXT, ZIP, etc.):

These files require a 'wrapper' called Microsoft Purview Information Protection to encrypt them.

To encrypt or decrypt these files:

Right-click on the file.

Click "Show More Options."

Click "Apply Sensitivity Label with Microsoft Purview."

To remove encryption, press "Delete Label" and then "Apply."

To add encryption, press "File Encryption" and then "Apply."

 

  • To Remove encryption, press Delete Label and then Apply. 
  • To Add encryption, press File Encryption and then Apply.

 

Note 1: You can mass decrypt/encrypt files by using the above process. Select multiple files at once to do so, before Right Clicking on the files and following the above steps. This is true for both Microsoft Office files, and other file types.

Note 2: Files on the File Shares ( H Drive, S Drive, O Drive etc), automatically encrypt/re-encrypt Sunday Evening at 10PM. Files which are found to be not encrypted, will be encrypted automatically. 

Note 3: Files on Sharepoint automatically apply Sensitivity Labels.

Note 4: IT is notified of events where many files are decrypted at once

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