Microsoft AIP (Azure Information Protection) is a cloud-based solution provided by Microsoft that helps organizations classify, label, protect, and monitor sensitive information. AIP is part of the Microsoft Information Protection suite, which includes tools and services to safeguard data across Microsoft 365 and Azure.

Here are the key features and capabilities of Microsoft AIP:

1. Data Classification: AIP allows organizations to classify data based on its sensitivity and importance. You can define classification labels such as “Confidential,” “Internal Use Only,” or custom labels to suit your needs.

2. Information Labeling: AIP enables the automatic or manual labeling of documents and emails. Users can apply labels to files and emails to indicate their sensitivity, and labels can trigger specific protection policies.

3. Protection Policies: With AIP, you can create protection policies that control access to sensitive data. These policies can include encryption, access restrictions, and rights management, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access protected content.

4. Persistent Protection: AIP provides persistent protection, which means that protection stays with the document or email, regardless of where it is stored or shared. Even if a document is copied or forwarded, the protection remains in place.

5. Integration with Microsoft 365: AIP seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint. Users can easily apply labels and protection to documents and emails from within these applications.

6. Integration with Azure: AIP can be integrated with Azure Rights Management (Azure RMS) for additional control over document and email protection. Azure RMS allows you to set usage rights and expiration policies for protected content.

7. Document Tracking and Revocation: AIP enables organizations to track the usage of protected documents and revoke access to them if necessary. You can see who has accessed the content and when.

8. User-Friendly Experience: AIP is designed to be user-friendly, with intuitive labeling and protection options. Users can understand and apply protection without significant training.

9. Compliance and Auditing: AIP helps organizations meet compliance requirements by providing detailed auditing and reporting capabilities. It can assist with data protection regulations like GDPR.

10. Third-Party Integration: AIP supports integration with third-party security solutions and provides APIs for custom integration with other applications and services.

11. Mobile Device Support: AIP extends protection to mobile devices through mobile apps, ensuring that sensitive data remains secure on smartphones and tablets.

12. Cloud-Based: AIP is a cloud-based solution, which means that it is highly scalable and can be accessed and managed from anywhere with an internet connection.