Small and mid-sized organizations face the same data governance challenges as enterprises but often lack dedicated compliance teams. This makes deploying Microsoft Purview a complex task, especially when sensitivity labeling, data loss prevention (DLP), and AI security need to be implemented quickly. Enter Microsoft’s Secure by Default framework—a structured, phased approach that helps organizations rapidly strengthen their data protection strategies while allowing users to adapt to governance controls over time. In this post, we break down how Secure by Default works, what to consider before implementing it, and how to align it with your organization’s needs.
Bridging the Data Governance Gap for Small and Mid-Sized Organizations
Small and mid-sized organizations face the same data governance challenges as enterprises but often lack the dedicated teams needed to implement Microsoft Purview data governance effectively. Without compliance, legal, and risk management teams, many organizations struggle to deploy Secure by Default controls efficiently.
Ideally, there would be a person or team that is well-positioned to take on deploying full data governance program, but without that, the question that I most often hear from these customers is: “What is the shortcut to a best practice deployment of Purview?”, especially when there is an urgent need to get sensitivity labeling and data loss prevention in place quickly.
This is especially urgent when:
- A security audit is approaching.
- A recent security incident has exposed weaknesses.
- AI tools like Microsoft Copilot must be deployed while minimizing data-sharing risks.
While not a “shortcut”, Microsoft has released a Purview data governance framework called Secure by Default. It initially suggests essential governance controls for basic protection, then outlines further steps to enhance data security and develop comprehensive Purview data governance policies and features. This is an approach that can work particularly well for small to mid-sized organizations that need help jumpstarting their Purview data governance program.
The Secure by Default Framework
Microsoft’s framework introduces governance controls in phases, ensuring gradual adoption while strengthening security over time.
Phase 1: Basic Protection & User Familiarization
- New and updated Microsoft 365 content is protected by default to prevent oversharing.
- Users begin interacting with sensitivity labeling and DLP policies.
Phase 2: Automating Labeling & Enforcing DLP
- Highly sensitive sites and files are automatically labeled.
- Purview suggests labels based on detected data when users open or create files.
- DLP prevents sharing of unlabeled content and restricts account credentials from being shared.
- Insider Risk Management (IRM) analytics are enabled.
Phase 3: Refining Policies & Expanding Auto-Labeling
- Auto-labeling expands to cover all sensitive files.
- Policy simulations help organizations understand auto-labeling impacts before full deployment.
- IRM alerting is tested and refined for improved security monitoring.
Phase 4: Strengthening Policies & Extending Protection
- DLP restrictions expand, informed by policy simulations.
- New labels are created for specialized use cases.
- Purview labeling extends to on-premises files and non-Microsoft storage.
Each phase integrates Microsoft 365 security features, allowing users to gradually adjust to governance changes. This phased approach can span weeks or months, depending on your organization’s adoption speed.
Reality Checks
Sounds great, right? It can be! That said, here are some factors to consider:
To Pilot or Not to Pilot?
- While Secure by Default can apply organization-wide, piloting in high-risk business areas may be more effective. A one-size-fits-all approach might not work for every team.
Staff Readiness & Training
- Unlike background security tools (e.g., XDR protection), data governance controls require user interaction. Employees must understand and apply sensitivity labels and DLP policies. Training and communication are crucial to avoid disruptions.
Secure by Default is NOT for Everyone
- If fast deployment is critical, leadership must support rapid adoption and communicate why these changes matter.
- If there’s no urgency, a traditional crawl-walk-run approach might be better.
Over the coming weeks, I will be going into detail on each of the phases above with a focus on the practical implications of the changes required, including gaps and suggestions from our experience deploying Purview with our customers, so stay tuned!
