Tutorial / Cram Notes
Applying bulk classification to on-premises data is a critical step for organizations that need to ensure their sensitive information is properly handled and protected according to their compliance requirements. To accomplish this, Microsoft provides the Azure Information Protection (AIP) unified labeling scanner, which is an essential tool for Information Protection Administrators, particularly when preparing for the SC-400 Microsoft Information Protection Administrator exam.
The AIP unified labeling scanner allows administrators to automatically classify and protect documents on file shares and SharePoint document libraries. It is a feature of the AIP client that can be installed on Windows Server, and when configured, it scans and labels files based on their content and metadata.
Here’s how to apply bulk classification to on-premises data using the AIP unified labeling scanner:
Configuration and Setup
First, download and install the AIP unified labeling client on the on-premises server where the data resides. Post installation, the scanner needs to be configured. This involves setting up a profile through the AIP on the Azure portal.
Scanner Configuration Steps:
- Configuration Profiles: Create or edit a profile in the AIP Azure portal, defining the rules and conditions for classification.
- Content Scan Job: Specify the repositories to scan, such as file shares or SharePoint sites, and link them with the appropriate profile.
- Run Schedules: Determine how often the scan should run. It can be scheduled to avoid business hours or during less active times to minimize impact on the system performance.
- Type of Scan: Decide between a one-time scan or a continuous scanning process. Continuous scans ensure newly added or modified files are also classified.
- Performance Settings: Adjust the number of threads that the scanner uses, balancing system resources and scanning speed.
Classification and Protection Policies
Develop classification policies that reflect the kinds of information you need to protect. For instance, configure labels to identify and protect PII (Personal Identifiable Information), financial records, or intellectual property.
Labels are rules that contain both conditions, to identify specific information types, and actions, such as classifying the document as ‘Confidential’.
Example of Classification Label Conditions and Actions:
Condition Type | Condition Detail | Action |
---|---|---|
Content Contains | Credit Card Number | Label as “Confidential – Financial” |
Document Property Equals | Project Code: XYZ123 | Label as “Internal – Restricted” |
Date Found Within | Document Last Modified in 30 Days | Retain Label |
Run the AIP Scanner
Once configured, execute the scanner to identify and classify the data. The process involves the scanner assessing each file against the policies defined to determine appropriate labeling.
Steps for Running the Scanner:
- Start the initial full scan to evaluate all files in the specified locations.
- Review the scan results and validate the accuracy of the classification and labeling.
- Address any misclassifications by adjusting the rules in your classification policies.
- Enable the scanner to apply labels and protections automatically for future scans.
Monitoring and Reporting
It is crucial to monitor the scanner’s activity to ensure proper classification of data. Azure Information Protection analytics can be used to generate reports and monitor the labeled and protected documents across your environment. These reports and the logging capabilities enable you to review actions taken by the scanner and make informed decisions on adjusting policies as necessary.
Key Aspects to Monitor:
- The number of files scanned.
- The number of files labeled.
- The number of protected files.
- Any errors or issues encountered during scanning.
By deploying the AIP unified labeling scanner correctly, the SC-400 Microsoft Information Protection Administrator exam candidates will have the skills necessary to ensure on-premises data is classified and secured in bulk. They will also understand the best practices for configuring, running, and monitoring the scanner to comply with an organization’s information protection policies. This knowledge is vital to maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and compliance of sensitive information within a Microsoft-based environment.
Practice Test with Explanation
True or False: The AIP unified labelling scanner can only classify and protect data stored in the cloud.
-
False
The AIP unified labelling scanner can classify and protect data that is stored on-premises as well as in cloud repositories.
Which of the following operating systems is supported for deploying the AIP unified labelling scanner?
- A) Windows Server 2019
- B) Ubuntu 04
- C) macOS Big Sur
- D) Windows 10
A) Windows Server 2019
The AIP unified labelling scanner is supported on Windows Server 2019 as an on-premises solution for classifying and protecting data.
The AIP unified labelling scanner requires a SQL database to store configuration and reporting data.
-
True
A SQL database is indeed required by the AIP unified labelling scanner to store its configuration and the reporting data generated by the scanning process.
Can the AIP unified labelling scanner perform automatic labelling based on sensitive information types?
-
True
The AIP unified labelling scanner can be configured to automatically label documents based on the sensitive information types it detects.
What is the purpose of the AIPScanner service account?
- A) To scan documents
- B) To manage scanner appliances
- C) To label content
- D) To access resources
D) To access resources
The AIPScanner service account is used to provide the AIP unified labelling scanner with the necessary permissions to access resources during the scanning process.
True or False: You need to have an Azure subscription to deploy the AIP unified labelling scanner.
-
True
An Azure subscription is required to make use of Azure Information Protection, which includes using the AIP unified labelling scanner on-premises.
Which PowerShell cmdlet is used to install the AIP unified labelling scanner?
- A) Install-AIPScanner
- B) Set-AIPScannerConfiguration
- C) Install-AIPService
- D) New-AIPScanner
A) Install-AIPScanner
The “Install-AIPScanner” PowerShell cmdlet is used to install the AIP unified labelling scanner.
True or False: The AIP unified labelling scanner supports scanning of images and audio files for sensitive content.
-
False
The AIP unified labelling scanner does not natively support scanning of images and audio files for sensitive content. It focuses primarily on text-based files.
Multiples Select: Which types of data stores can the AIP unified labelling scanner scan?
- A) NFS shares
- B) SMB file shares
- C) Exchange mailboxes
- D) SharePoint sites
B) SMB file shares
The AIP unified labelling scanner is designed to scan SMB file shares. It does not support NFS shares, Exchange mailboxes, or SharePoint sites directly, as these require different services or configurations.
True or False: The AIP unified labelling scanner allows you to simulate the application of labels without actually changing the documents.
-
True
The AIP unified labelling scanner includes a simulation mode which offers the ability to simulate the application of labels to documents without making actual modifications, allowing for testing and validation.
Which component is essential to view the reports generated by the AIP unified labelling scanner?
- A) Microsoft 365 compliance center
- B) Azure Portal
- C) AIP on-premises management console
- D) Azure Security Center
A) Microsoft 365 compliance center
The Microsoft 365 compliance center is used to view the reports generated by the AIP unified labelling scanner as well as manage various other information protection activities.
True or False: You must configure the AIP unified labelling scanner to use TLS for encrypting the data it processes.
-
True
It is recommended to configure the AIP unified labelling scanner to use TLS (Transport Layer Security) to ensure that the data being processed is encrypted for security purposes.
Interview Questions
What is the AIP unified labeling scanner?
The AIP unified labeling scanner is a tool that can be used to automatically classify and protect on-premises data based on pre-defined policies.
What is the purpose of the AIP scanner?
The purpose of the AIP scanner is to scan and classify on-premises data based on pre-defined policies.
How do you deploy the AIP unified labeling scanner?
To deploy the AIP unified labeling scanner, you need to set up an Azure Information Protection tenant and a label policy, download and install the AIP scanner on the target computer, and configure the scanner settings to specify the target files and folders to scan and the label policy to apply.
What is the benefit of using the AIP scanner?
The benefit of using the AIP scanner is that it can automatically scan files and folders and apply labels based on pre-defined policies, which saves time and reduces the risk of human error.
What does the AIP scanner help to ensure?
The AIP scanner helps to ensure that sensitive data is properly classified and protected, which helps to reduce the risk of data breaches and other security incidents.
Can the AIP scanner be used to manage label policies?
Yes, the AIP scanner can be managed using the Azure portal, which allows administrators to view and manage the label policies that are used by the scanner.
How does the AIP scanner help to ensure consistent labeling?
The AIP scanner ensures that all files are labeled consistently, which helps to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and organizational policies.
What is the dashboard in the Azure portal for the AIP scanner?
The dashboard in the Azure portal for the AIP scanner allows administrators to view the status of the scanner, including the number of files scanned and the number of files classified.
Can the AIP scanner be configured to scan files and folders on a regular basis?
Yes, the AIP scanner can be configured to scan files and folders on a regular basis.
How does the AIP scanner help to reduce the risk of data breaches?
The AIP scanner helps to reduce the risk of data breaches by ensuring that sensitive data is properly classified and protected.
This post is a lifesaver! I was struggling with setting up the AIP unified labeling scanner.
For anyone considering this, how does it handle large datasets effectively?
Great article, thanks for sharing!
I’ve been using the Unified Labeling scanner for a few months, and it significantly improved our data classification processes.
Curious, does this scanner support hybrid environments?
I found the initial setup to be a bit complicated.
I had an issue where the scanner wasn’t picking up all files. Any ideas why?
Thank you!