Microsoft Purview Overview in SC-900
Microsoft Purview Overview in SC-900 explains how Microsoft approaches compliance, data protection, and governance as an integrated part of security—not as an afterthought.
Many people associate security with firewalls and threat detection. Compliance, however, focuses on how data is handled, protected, retained, and audited. SC-900 introduces Microsoft Purview to help learners understand how compliance becomes operational in Microsoft environments.
This article explains Microsoft Purview at a conceptual level, exactly as required for SC-900 (Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals).
Why SC-900 Introduces Microsoft Purview
Security answers the question:
“How do we protect systems from threats?”
Compliance answers a different question:
“How do we protect data, meet regulations, and prove it?”
Modern organisations must:
- Protect sensitive data
- Meet regulatory requirements
- Support audits and investigations
- Demonstrate accountability
SC-900 includes Microsoft Purview to show how Microsoft embeds compliance directly into its platforms.
What Is Microsoft Purview? (SC-900 View)
At SC-900 level, Microsoft Purview is best understood as:
A unified compliance and data governance platform that helps organisations classify, protect, manage, and audit data across Microsoft services.
It brings together tools for:
- Data protection
- Risk management
- Compliance monitoring
- Governance and auditing
SC-900 focuses on what Purview enables, not how it is configured.
Fig: Microsoft Purview Overview
Security vs Compliance (Important SC-900 Distinction)
SC-900 clearly separates these concepts:
| Security | Compliance |
|---|---|
| Prevents attacks | Protects data |
| Detects threats | Enforces policies |
| Responds to incidents | Supports audits |
| Technical controls | Governance controls |
Microsoft Purview sits on the compliance side, complementing security tools like Microsoft Defender.
Core Capabilities of Microsoft Purview in SC-900
SC-900 introduces Purview by grouping its capabilities into clear themes.
Data Classification and Protection
Purview helps organisations:
- Identify sensitive data
- Apply labels based on sensitivity
- Protect data consistently
SC-900 focuses on the concept of data awareness, not label configuration.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
DLP helps prevent:
- Accidental data leaks
- Unauthorised sharing
- Policy violations
At SC-900 level, the key idea is:
Policies follow data, not locations.
Audit and Activity Monitoring
Purview enables:
- Activity tracking
- Audit logs
- Investigation support
This helps organisations:
- Meet audit requirements
- Investigate incidents
- Demonstrate accountability
SC-900 tests why auditing matters, not how to search logs.
Information Lifecycle and Retention
Compliance isn’t just about protection—it’s also about data lifecycle.
Purview supports:
- Retention requirements
- Controlled deletion
- Records management
SC-900 introduces this to explain how data must be managed from creation to deletion.
Microsoft Purview and Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)
Purview supports GRC by:
- Enforcing policies consistently
- Reducing manual compliance work
- Providing visibility into compliance posture
This aligns with earlier SC-900 topics like:
- GRC fundamentals
- Risk management
- Accountability
Purview and Zero Trust (Conceptual Link)
Zero Trust focuses on who can access data.
Purview focuses on how data is handled after access.
Together, they ensure:
- Access is controlled
- Data use is governed
- Risk is reduced even after sign-in
This conceptual connection is exam-relevant.
What SC-900 Does NOT Expect You to Know About Purview
SC-900 does not require:
- Creating labels
- Configuring DLP rules
- Running audits
- Managing eDiscovery cases
The exam tests awareness and understanding, not hands-on administration.
Common Misconceptions About Compliance Tools
SC-900 helps correct these myths:
- “Compliance slows business.”
Good compliance enables safe operations. - “Compliance is only for auditors.”
It affects daily data handling. - “Security alone is enough.”
Security without compliance lacks accountability.
SC-900 Exam Tip
For SC-900:
- Know what Microsoft Purview is
- Understand its role in compliance and data governance
- Recognise key capability areas
- Avoid thinking in configuration terms
If you can explain why compliance tools exist and what they protect, you’re exam-ready.
Final Thoughts: Compliance Is Part of Security
Modern organisations cannot treat compliance as an afterthought.
By embedding compliance controls into platforms, Microsoft Purview helps organisations:
- Protect sensitive data
- Meet regulatory obligations
- Build trust with customers and regulators
SC-900 introduces Microsoft Purview to ensure learners understand how compliance becomes practical and continuous, not manual and reactive.
Also, view our detailed guide on what is SC-900 to understand Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity fundamentals.
For official and up-to-date exam objectives, learning paths, and reference material, refer to Microsoft Learn’s SC-900 documentation.
What’s Next in the SC-900 Series
Next, we’ll go deeper into data protection with:
Data Classification & Sensitivity Labels in SC-900: Protecting Information by Design