What is a characteristic of a sensitivity label in Microsoft 365?

A key characteristic of a sensitivity label in Microsoft 365 is its ability to remain persistent. This means that when a sensitivity label is applied to an item, such as a document or email, the protections and settings associated with that label remain intact regardless of where the item is shared or how it is stored. For instance, if a document labeled as "Confidential" is sent to an external recipient, it retains the encryption and access restrictions applied through that label, ensuring that sensitive information is protected even outside the organization.

This persistence is crucial for maintaining compliance and security in a constantly evolving environment where documents may travel across different platforms and services. Sensitivity labels help organizations manage their data security more effectively by preserving these settings consistently, thereby reducing the risk of accidental exposure of sensitive information.

While sensitivity labels can indeed be applied to predefined categories, they are not restricted to those categories alone, as they can be customized based on the organization's needs. Additionally, sensitivity labels are not only limited to documents; they can also be applied to emails and other types of content, further enhancing their versatility in protecting sensitive information across various platforms.