Real-time alerts for sensitive data now available in Microsoft Teams application
Microsoft has rolled out a new feature in its Teams app, designed to help prevent the accidental sharing of private or confidential information during screen sharing in meetings. The Sensitive Content Detection feature is now available on Teams for web, mobile, and desktop.
The system works by automatically scanning the content you share on your screen in real time to detect sensitive data types such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, social security numbers, passport numbers, and taxpayer IDs.
If sensitive content is detected, the feature provides discrete alerts to the presenter and the meeting organizer only, without notifying other attendees or revealing the sensitive details. The presenter receives a clear prompt advising them to stop sharing their screen if the sensitive content was shared unintentionally. A simple click on "Stop sharing" removes the content from view, preventing further exposure.
The Sensitive Content Detection feature acts as a "guardian angel," running automatically in the background without proactively blocking sharing, to avoid interruption in case of false positives. It encourages the user to remain in control of their screen sharing session.
The feature is available as part of Microsoft Teams Premium, a paid subscription tier. To enable it, organizers can go to meeting options under Advanced protection and select "Detect sensitive content during screen sharing."
It's important to note that the alerts are private and are only visible to the presenter and organizer to maintain control of the situation during meetings. This feature focuses on instant detection during live screen sharing, distinct from other Microsoft compliance tools like Communication Compliance that monitor messaging and content within Teams channels and chats more broadly.
The use of the Sensitive Content Detection feature requires the Teams Premium plan. The new feature is reported by news agencies and is intended to enhance security during screen sharing sessions in Microsoft Teams. The system does not disclose or store the detected sensitive information.
[1] Microsoft Teams Blog: [Link to the blog post] [2] Microsoft Support: [Link to the support page] [3] Microsoft Security Blog: [Link to the blog post] [4] Microsoft Compliance Manager: [Link to the product page] [5] Microsoft Communication Compliance: [Link to the product page]
The Sensitive Content Detection feature in Microsoft Teams, a paid subscription tier, leverages technology to automatically scan shared content during screen sharing in real time, detecting sensitive data like credit card numbers. This technology-driven security measure focuses on cybersecurity, by providing discrete alerts to the presenter and organizer if sensitive content is detected, without interrupting the meeting or revealing the sensitive details.
