Understanding the Difference Between Business Glossary and Data Classification in Microsoft Purview

Before delving into the definitions or differences between Business Glossary and Data Classification in Microsoft Purview, let's connect these concepts to real-life scenarios commonly encountered within organizations.

Business Glossary

Have you ever experienced talking to one of your app developers about the term 'customer' and he/she got confused. If you're referring to the clients who use your services or the end users of your products.

Or perhaps you overhear two members of your sales team discussing the same data but using completely different terms.

Sounds familiar, right?

These miscommunications often happen in companies when terms, jargon, and definitions are not standardized. As your company grows and diverse individuals with varying backgrounds join the team, it becomes challenging for everyone to speak the same language and comprehend shared meanings. This is where the Business Glossary enters the picture.

What is Business Glossary in Microsoft Purview?

In simple terms, a Business Glossary in Microsoft Purview serves as a centralized repository for all essential business terms and concepts utilized in the everyday operations of an organization.

It establishes consistency in jargon and standardizes an organization's terms, ensuring that everyone speaks and understands the same common language. This fosters greater cohesion across different departments in your company.

Data Classification

Now, let's consider a scenario where you are working with healthcare data. Your marketing team requires access to the medical histories of last year's COVID-19 patients, while the finance team needs credit card numbers from cancer patients during the same period.

?However, due to security concerns, it would not be appropriate to grant unrestricted access to the full patient data. It becomes necessary to logically categorize, organize, and identify various data classes within your organization. Furthermore, it is crucial to comprehend the risks associated with the most critical data assets and safeguard them against unauthorized access.

Precisely in such situations, Data Classification in Microsoft Purview comes to your aid.

What is Data Classification in Microsoft Purview?

Data classification is a method of categorizing data assets by assigning unique logical tags or classes based on the business context of the data.

For instance, you may choose to classify assets by passport numbers, driver's license numbers, credit card numbers, SWIFT codes, or individuals' names, among others.?

By classifying data assets, you make them more easily discoverable, comprehensible, and manageable. Additionally, it enables you to evaluate the risks associated with different types of data, empowering you to implement protective measures against unauthorized access or misuse of sensitive information.

Difference between Business Glossary and Data Classification in Microsoft Purview?

Conclusion

In conclusion, Business Glossary and Data Classification in Microsoft Purview serve distinct purposes within your organization.

Business Glossary focuses on establishing a standardized language and improving data discovery and communication across various departments. Whereas Data Classification aids in managing data assets based on their sensitivity, thereby enhancing data governance, security, and compliance efforts.

By leveraging these features effectively, you can comprehensively organize and categorize your data, leading to improved data understanding, searchability, and governance within your organization.

So, now you understand business glossary vs. Data Classification, and how they differ, it’s time to implement one into your business.

If you have any queries or doubts, please ask in the comment section. I would be more than happy to help you.