SharePoint Online: Manage user permissions with sensitivity labels

Sensitivity labels

Sensitivity labels are part of Microsoft Information Protection solution. They allow you to classify and protect your organization's data, by applying appropriate permissions and restrictions on content.  Sensitivity labels can be applied either by users or automatically.


Assign permissions

Sensitivity labels allow you to assign user permissions based on the applied label. When defining the scope for your label, choose Groups & Sites.

This configuration doesn't automatically label documents. Instead, it works on the level of an entire container.  The label sets permissions on e.g. site level. The files inside will inherit the settings. 
When selecting the protection settings, choose Encrypt files and emails

Using these settings, you can configure privacy settings, external user access and external sharing, and access from unmanaged devices. In the encryption menu, choose Configure encryption settings

You can either select permissions yourself, if a group is pre-determined; or let users choose them. Assuming you want to retain control and manage permissions yourself, select Assign permissions now

When you choose which permissions to allow for those users or groups, 

In the following screen, you will be able to specify the permission level and the users or groups. You can select a predefined permissions level with a preset group of rights, such as Co-Author or Reviewer, or you can create your own custom permission level. As an admin you will be able to choose much more granular permissions than a user


Image: Permission levels - user view


Image: Permission levels - administrator's view

Limit export options

When configuring label policy settings, you are also able to limit printing and other export options.

See Also

Encryption with sensitivity labels