100% WFH has thrown a wrench in the works for compliance and security. With so much data (and often sensitive/confidential information) being shared via digital channels, companies need new ways to stay compliant. This also opens up fresh use cases for collaboration, as key compliance stakeholders must also work primarily via these digital platforms on case investigation.
Microsoft Teams has paid particular attention to this emerging requirement with six purpose-built updates:
1 – Add another layer of encryption
Microsoft already secures its Teams data by encrypting it while at rest. Now, customers can add another layer of encryption using a custom key, similar to existing capabilities on Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and One Drive. Customer Key support brings an almost on-premise level of security to cloud-hosted data.
2 – Use Teams for case investigation
Microsoft’s Insider Risk Management solution is getting a handy integration with Teams, letting compliance stakeholders communicate and collaborate digitally. When you create an Insider Risk Management case, a private team is created automatically, linked to the case for as long as it is active. The teams will include risk management analysts and investigators by default, with the option to add other stakeholders like HR, legal, etc.
3 – Build an eDiscovery case on Teams
Adding to feature #2, Advanced eDiscovery on Teams will support live documents and links so that will gain investigation stakeholders don’t have to collate the relevant case documents manually. All the necessary attachments will be collected, reviewed, and exported along with the Teams conversations under investigation, reducing manual efforts dramatically.
4 – Abandon your 3rd party platform for Teams Data Retention
Microsoft Teams meetings recordings will now come with in-app retention policies that will store or delete recordings as per your governance framework without manual intervention. This means that you will no longer need to export your recordings/files to a 3rd party data retention platform, starting October, which is when the rollout begins.
5 – View helpful action points in Compliance Manager
The generally available Compliance Manager is a centralised portal to maintain Teams compliance. Microsoft has announced that the dashboard will now carry Improvement actions to guide companies in their journey towards alignment with regulations and standards.
6 – Soon, you will be able to use Microsoft apps as a secure resume
This one is still in the early pilot stage but has incredible potential – particularly for those in the public sector. Microsoft is working with Trident University and the US Department of Defense’s MilGears tool for credentialing and career development, to convert Microsoft apps into an identity and credential verification system.
The Department of Defense’s service members will gain a verified service record and transcripts of the courses they have successfully completed in a digital wallet available on their smartphone. This credentialing system is highly secure while being easy to share with a university or employer. At this pilot stage, service members can scan a QR code with the Microsoft Authenticator app to accept a credential and add it as a “card” on their digital wallet.
These announcements suggest that security will play a central role in Microsoft’s growth for the next few quarters, and we are excited to see what lies ahead.
