Microsoft 365 and Govern 365 are both cloud-based productivity and collaboration platforms that offer a range of security features to protect users and their data.
Some common security features of Microsoft 365 include:
- Data Encryption: Microsoft 365 uses encryption to protect data in transit and at rest, including email messages, documents, and other data stored in the cloud.
- Identity and Access Management: Microsoft 365 includes tools for managing user accounts, passwords, and access to resources, including multi-factor authentication and conditional access policies.
- Threat Protection: Microsoft 365 includes a range of tools to help protect against malware, phishing attacks, and other threats, including email filtering, antivirus protection, and advanced threat protection.
- Compliance and Data Governance: Microsoft 365 includes tools for managing data compliance and governance, including data loss prevention, eDiscovery, and retention policies.
Govern 365 is a governance and compliance platform that helps organizations manage and secure their Microsoft 365 environment. Govern 365 includes features such as:
- Automated Governance: Govern 365 helps organizations automate governance processes and enforce policies across their Microsoft 365 environment, including managing users, groups, and permissions.
- Data Classification: Govern 365 includes tools for classifying and labeling data based on its sensitivity and risk, helping organizations ensure that the right controls are in place to protect sensitive information.
- Risk Assessment and Management: Govern 365 helps organizations identify and assess risks in their Microsoft 365 environment and implement controls to mitigate those risks.
Overall, both Microsoft 365 and Govern 365 offer a range of security features to help organizations protect their data and users in the cloud. The specific security features that are available may vary depending on the specific Microsoft 365 plan and Govern 365 package that an organization has purchased.
How does Govern 365 layer on-top-of Microsoft 365?
Govern 365 is a cloud-based governance platform that helps organizations manage and secure their Microsoft 365 environments. It is designed to work alongside and complement Microsoft 365, rather than replacing it.
Govern 365 includes a range of tools and features that help organizations automate governance processes and enforce policies across their Microsoft 365 workloads, including managing users, groups, and permissions. It also includes tools for classifying and labeling data based on its sensitivity and risk, helping organizations ensure that the right controls are in place to protect sensitive information.
Govern 365 is designed to be easy to use and integrate with Microsoft 365, and it can be accessed through the Microsoft 365 web portal or through a standalone web-based interface.
To use Govern 365, an organization must have a valid Microsoft 365 subscription. Govern 365 is not a standalone product, and it does not include its own email, productivity, or collaboration tools. Instead, it is designed to work with and enhance the security and governance capabilities of Microsoft 365.
| Feature | Govern 365 | Microsoft 365 |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Governance and security platform for Microsoft 365 | Productivity and collaboration suite including email, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and teamwork tools |
| Key features | Automated governance, data classification, risk assessment and management, auditing | Email, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, teamwork, data storage and sharing, communication and collaboration tools, security, and compliance |
| Standalone product | No (requires Microsoft 365 subscription) | Yes |
| Access | Web-based interface or through Microsoft 365 portal | Web-based or through apps for desktop and mobile devices |
| Available plans/pricing | Varies | Varies (includes plans for businesses, schools, and government organizations) |
| Compatibility with other Microsoft products | Works with and enhances Microsoft 365 | Works with and includes other Microsoft products such as Office and Teams |
It’s worth noting that this is just a general comparison and that the specific features and capabilities of Govern 365 and Microsoft 365 may vary depending on the specific plan or package that an organization has purchased. It’s always a good idea to carefully review the features and pricing of both products to determine which one is the best fit for your organization’s needs.
Understanding how the features offered with Govern 365 works with your existing Microsoft 365 subscription:
| Feature | Govern 365 | Microsoft 365 |
| Automated governance | Yes | No |
| Data classification | Yes | No |
| Risk assessment and management | Yes | No |
| Auditing and reporting | Yes | Yes (available in some plans) |
| No (requires Microsoft 365 subscription | Yes | |
| Word processing | No (requires Microsoft 365 subscription | Yes |
| Spreadsheet | No (requires Microsoft 365 subscription | Yes |
| Presentation | No (requires Microsoft 365 subscription) | Yes |
| Teamwork | No (requires Microsoft 365 subscription) | Yes |
| Data storage and sharing | No (requires Microsoft 365 subscription) | Yes |
| Communication and collaboration tools | No (requires Microsoft 365 subscription) | Yes |
| Security and compliance | Yes (enhances security and compliance capabilities of Microsoft 365) | Yes |
| Available plans/pricing | Varies | Varies (includes plans for businesses, schools, and government organizations) |
| Compatibility with other Microsoft products | Works with and enhances Microsoft 365 | Works with and includes other Microsoft products such as Office and Teams |
Overall, Govern 365 is designed to provide additional governance and security capabilities for organizations using Microsoft 365, rather than replacing the core features and functionality of Microsoft 365. The specific features and capabilities that are available may vary depending on the specific Govern 365 package that an organization has purchased. To learn more about the different industries and use cases that Govern 365’s VDR can help you with, please read our blog on Virtual Data Rooms with Govern 365.