Can Microsoft Purview discover data that is not stored in Azure?

Microsoft Purview is designed as a unified data governance solution that enables organizations to manage their data landscape comprehensively. It can discover and catalog data from a variety of sources, including those not stored exclusively in Azure, making it versatile in terms of data management.

The capability to discover data in hybrid environments—where organizations operate both on-premises and cloud-based data sources—is significant. This means Microsoft Purview can connect with on-premises data repositories, on-premises databases, and other data sources that are part of a hybrid approach. This connection enhances data visibility across diverse environments, allowing businesses to maintain consistent governance practices regardless of where the data resides.

In contrast, data restricted to Azure regions only or exclusively stored in Azure lacks the flexibility provided to hybrid environments where Microsoft Purview operates. This capability ensures that organizations can leverage their existing data assets while adhering to compliance and governance frameworks.