117578 – Outlook: New Sensitivity Bar in Outlook on the Web (archived)

Product:

Microsoft 365 Apps, Outlook, Purview Information Protection

Platform:

Web, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

Feature update, User impact

Links:

Details:

Sensitivity bar provides a more prominent and contextual user experience for viewing and applying sensitivity labels in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Outlook on the web will be rolling out the new sensitivity bar to keep the consistency across Microsoft 365 apps. It will also support the label colors defined by administrators.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability, Targeted Release

Created:
2023-03-16

updated:
2024-02-27

Public Preview Start Date

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Docu to Check

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MS workload name

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Direct effects for Operations**

- Direct Impact on IT Operations
- Increased training and support requirements for IT staff
- Role Impacted: IT Support Team
- Reason: IT administrators will need to familiarize themselves with the new sensitivity bar features to assist users effectively.
- Potential for increased support tickets related to sensitivity label application
- Role Impacted: IT Helpdesk
- Reason: Users may encounter confusion or issues while applying sensitivity labels, leading to a spike in support requests.
- Need for updates to internal documentation and training materials
- Role Impacted: IT Documentation Team
- Reason: Existing resources may require revisions to reflect the new features and best practices for using the sensitivity bar.

- Direct Impact on IT Services
- Changes in data protection and compliance workflows
- Role Impacted: Compliance Officers
- Reason: The introduction of the sensitivity bar may alter how users apply labels, impacting compliance with data protection regulations.
- Integration with existing security and compliance tools
- Role Impacted: Security Administrators
- Reason: The new sensitivity bar may require adjustments in how security tools interact with Outlook, necessitating testing and validation.
- Potential disruptions in email communication due to misapplied sensitivity labels
- Role Impacted: End Users (Employees)
- Reason: Users may inadvertently apply incorrect labels, leading to unauthorized access or sharing of sensitive information.

- Direct Impact on IT Users
- Changes in user experience and workflow
- Role Impacted: All Employees
- Reason: Users will need to adapt to the new sensitivity bar, which may initially disrupt their established workflows.
- Increased awareness and responsibility regarding data sensitivity
- Role Impacted: All Employees
- Reason: Users will be prompted to consider the sensitivity of their communications more actively, which may require additional training.
- Potential for confusion regarding label meanings and applications
- Role Impacted: All Employees
- Reason: Users may struggle to understand the implications of different sensitivity labels, leading to potential misuse.

References:
- Microsoft 365 Blog: [Introducing the Sensitivity Bar](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-365-blog/introducing-the-sensitivity-bar-in-outlook-on-the-web/ba-p/3701230)
- Microsoft Purview Information Protection: [Sensitivity Labels](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/compliance/sensitivity-labels?view=o365-worldwide)

Opportunities**

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Potentional Risks**

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Data Protection**

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Hypothetical Work Council Statement**

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DPIA Draft**

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