Session Abstract

Organisations are facing a digital avalanche of unstructured data across Microsoft 365, making information protection more challenging than ever. With most sensitive data remaining undiscovered and unclassified, the risk of data loss and compliance breaches is high. Securing your data can feel like climbing Everest. You would not attempt the summit without a guide, a plan, and the right equipment. Similarly, Microsoft Purview’s “Secure by Default” blueprint offers a strategic path with clear checkpoints to help you build strength, resilience, and readiness at every stage of your data protection journey. This session offers a practical roadmap for tackling your own data mountain. You will learn how to: - Identify and classify sensitive data across your Microsoft 365 environment. - Apply sensitivity labels and data loss prevention policies to both active and archived content. - Transform chaos into control by simplifying your labelling strategy and aligning it with DLP. - Implement adaptive protection and continuous improvement to ensure your data security posture evolves with your organisation’s needs. - Empower users to make informed decisions and foster a culture of data protection. By establishing strong data security foundations, you will also help ensure that Microsoft Copilot does not reveal sensitive or confidential information in its responses. Through real-world examples and practical guidance, you will leave with a clear strategy to scale your own data Everest, protect sensitive information, support compliance, and build trust in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Nikki Chapple

Nikki Chapple is a Principal Cloud Architect at CloudWay, specialising in Microsoft 365 data security, governance, and compliance. With over 35 years of experience in IT and business, she helps organisations with risk-based digital transformations. As a dual Microsoft MVP in Microsoft 365 and Security, Nikki is recognised for her expertise in these fields. She is an international speaker and blogger, co-hosting the "All Things Compliance Podcast" and co-authoring "The Microsoft 365 Maturity Model – Governance, Risk, and Compliance Competency." In 2023, she was honoured with the UK Community Award for Security and Compliance Evangelist. Nikki holds several key certifications, including Microsoft Certified Enterprise Administrator Expert, TOGAF Enterprise Architect, and PROSCI Organizational Change Manager. She believes that "Microsoft 365 governance and compliance is not a project but a lifestyle that should be part of the organisation’s culture.