Data security, compliant, and AI-ready data foundation using Microsoft Purview
Executive Summary
During the frontier transformation, the Bank of Uganda faced significant challenges in data security, regulatory compliance, and AI readiness. The organization operated in a highly distributed environment spanning Microsoft 365, on‑premises infrastructure, and multiple SaaS platforms. This resulted in limited visibility in sensitive data, inconsistent classification and retention policies, and fragmented governance controls, increasing the risk of data leakage and non-compliance. The absence of a unified governance framework made it difficult to safely enable emerging AI capabilities such as Microsoft 365 Copilot, as existing controls could not effectively mitigate risks related to oversharing or unauthorized access.
Approach
The client partnered with Computer Revolution Africa Group partnered to establish a secure, compliant, and AI-ready data foundation using Microsoft Purview. My role spanned the full engagement lifecycle.
- Assessment/Gap Analysis/Licenses: Conducted a detailed discovery of the customer’s data estate, governance maturity, and compliance posture, identifying key gaps in classification, retention, and visibility.
- Business Case Development: Built a value-driven case for adopting Microsoft Purview by quantifying risk exposure, operational inefficiencies, and compliance challenges caused by fragmented tools.
- Roadmap Design: Developed a phased adoption roadmap covering data discovery, classification, protection, and AI governance readiness.
- Implementation: Led deployment of core Purview capabilities, including Information Protection (sensitivity labeling), Data Loss Prevention, Compliance Manager, Audit, Data Lifecycle Management, and Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) to establish centralized governance and risk visibility.
- Managed Services: Delivered ongoing managed compliance services.
This approach enabled the customer to establish consistent, enforceable governance controls across the entire data lifecycle, creating a secure foundation for AI adoption
Solution Overview
Microsoft Purview differentiates itself from its competitors by offering:
- A unified platform for data security, governance, and compliance across hybrid and multi-cloud environments
- Automated data discovery and classification, reducing reliance on manual processes
- Native integration with Microsoft 365 and AI services, enabling faster time to value
- End-to-end data lifecycle governance and built-in compliance management
These capabilities enabled displacement of legacy and third-party solutions such as Informatica Axon and other standalone DLP or compliance tools, which lacked unified visibility and seamless integration.
Measurable Business Outcomes
The deployment of Microsoft Purview delivered measurable business value:
Prevented the unauthorized leakage of confidential and sensitive data
Leveraged Microsoft Purview to identify and prevent risky user activities
90% improvement in compliance adherence
57% reduction in data discovery time, improving operational efficiency.
35% increase in data accuracy and accessibility across business units.
Enhanced visibility into sensitive data and improved risk management capabilities
Reduced risk exposure
Consolidation of multiple governance and compliance tools into a single platform
Accelerated and secure adoption of 365 Copilot
Conclusion
Prior to this engagement, Bank of Uganda relied on multiple independent tools for data protection, compliance, and governance, which led to siloed visibility, manual processes, and high operational overhead. Through Microsoft Purview, the client was able to establish consistent, enforceable governance controls across the entire data lifecycle, creating a secure foundation for AI adoption.
