Data Governance with Microsoft Purview:
Know, Classify & Protect Your Business Data
In an era of ever-tightening regulations and growing cyber-risks, understanding where your critical data lives—and who can access it—is no longer optional. For SMEs in Liverpool, Wirral, Merseyside and Cheshire, HiltDigital delivers Microsoft Purview to bring order, visibility and control to your data estate. Say goodbye to guessing where sensitive files hide, and hello to peace of mind:
- Stay compliant with GDPR, Cyber Essentials and industry-specific rules
- Reduce risk by preventing accidental or malicious data exposure
- Improve efficiency with automated classification and policy enforcement
- Build customer trust by demonstrating robust data controls
Below, we unpack how Purview works and how HiltDigital makes data governance simple—even if you’ve never tackled it before.
What Is Microsoft Purview?
Microsoft Purview is a cloud-native data governance platform that helps you:
- Discover all your data across on-prem servers, Azure services and Microsoft 365
- Classify sensitive information—like personal data, financial records or IP—using built-in and custom classifiers
- Label & Protect with policies that enforce encryption, watermarking or access restrictions
- Monitor access patterns and receive alerts on unusual activity
- Report on compliance status with real-time dashboards
Think of Purview as your “data control tower,” bringing every silo into view and enforcing company-wide rules automatically.
Why Data Governance Matters for Your Business
- Regulatory compliance
Heavy fines and reputational damage await businesses that mishandle personal data. Purview’s out-of-the-box GDPR and UK-specific templates help you tick every box. - Operational efficiency
No more manual spreadsheets tracking who can see what. Automated scanning classifies documents in minutes, freeing your team for higher-value work. - Risk reduction
Detect and block risky sharing—like customer lists or financial sheets—before they leave your organisation. Protect against both insider mistakes and external threats. - Competitive advantage
Demonstrating strong data governance builds trust with partners, insurers and enterprise clients—opening doors to new opportunities.
Core Purview Capabilities for SMEs
| Capability | Business Benefit |
|---|---|
| Automated Data Discovery | Scan file servers, SharePoint and cloud storage without lifting a finger. |
| Sensitive Data Classification | Identify credit card numbers, health records and custom info in seconds. |
| Data Loss Prevention (DLP) | Block or encrypt risky content based on policy, e.g. “no customer data in email.” |
| Access Reviews | Regularly verify who needs access to critical repositories—remove stale permissions. |
| Data Lineage & Impact Analysis | Visualise where data comes from and how it’s used—ideal for audits and migration projects. |
Explore each feature in-depth on our dedicated Purview Deep Dive page.
How HiltDigital Brings Purview to Life
- Assessment & Roadmap
We map your data sources, current controls and compliance requirements—delivering a clear governance plan. - Pilot & Customisation
Test Purview’s classifiers on a representative data set, fine-tune policies and build any custom rules you need. - Full Deployment
Roll out automated scanning, classification and DLP policies across your estate—without disrupting daily operations. - Training & Documentation
Equip your team with easy guides and hands-on workshops so everyone knows how to handle sensitive data correctly. - Ongoing Optimisation
Quarterly reviews and real-time alerts ensure your policies evolve with changing regulations and business needs.
Next Steps & Related Solutions
- Modern Workplace with Microsoft 365 – integrate Purview with built-in M365 protections
- Endpoint Management & Intune – extend governance to mobile devices and laptops
- Azure Solutions for SMBs – store and manage your data with geo-redundancy and encryption
- Cloud Migration Services – move sensitive workloads into a governed environment
Ready to get your data house in order?
Talk to our Data Governance specialists and start your journey with Microsoft Purview today.
