Microsoft Purview SDK: Empower AI Security with User-Context Controls

Key insights

• Microsoft Purview SDK enables developers to add strong data security, compliance, and governance controls directly into custom AI applications using REST APIs, helping manage AI risks and protect sensitive information in real time.
  
• The SDK uses real-time data classification to identify and tag sensitive data in both user prompts and AI responses, preventing unauthorized access or accidental sharing of protected information.
  
• Inline data protection blocks unsafe prompts, stops potential data leaks, and prevents the mishandling of confidential details by large language models within AI apps.
  
• Insider risk management features use machine learning to detect suspicious activity—such as IP theft or prompt injection attacks—and apply policies that reduce insider threats and unethical AI behavior.
  
• The SDK provides detailed visibility for security teams, allowing them to monitor AI app usage, enforce policies, audit activity, and ensure compliance with regulations across different cloud environments.
  
• This approach extends Microsoft’s Zero Trust security principles to generative AI workflows, supporting multi-cloud deployments while giving enterprises more control over how their data is used by both built-in and custom-built AI solutions.
  

Introducing Microsoft Purview SDK for AI Application Security

Microsoft has unveiled a new approach to securing artificial intelligence (AI) applications by releasing the Microsoft Purview SDK. This toolkit, now in public preview as of mid-2025, enables developers to embed advanced data security and compliance controls directly into custom AI solutions. Through seamless integration with Microsoft Purview’s enterprise-grade capabilities, the SDK offers a unified way to manage AI risks and protect sensitive information in real time. As AI becomes more central to business operations, this development underscores Microsoft's commitment to responsible AI innovation.

Shilpa Ranganathan, Principal Group Product Manager at Microsoft Purview, highlighted how these new tools extend enterprise-grade security and governance to AI apps built both on and beyond Microsoft platforms. Consequently, organizations can better address the evolving landscape of data protection and regulatory compliance.

How User-Context-Aware Controls Work

At the core of the Microsoft Purview SDK are user-context-aware controls. These controls dynamically respond to each user's context, enabling real-time classification of prompts and AI-generated responses. As a result, sensitive data can be identified and protected before it is processed by large language models (LLMs), reducing the risk of data leaks or unauthorized access.

The SDK leverages Microsoft Purview’s broader security features, such as data classification and insider risk management. This integration allows organizations to apply consistent governance across various environments, including Microsoft 365, Azure, Dynamics 365, and custom AI applications. Developers can focus on building innovative features while relying on built-in protections to prevent oversharing and block unsafe prompts without rewriting their applications from scratch.

Advantages and Challenges of the Purview SDK

One of the primary benefits of the Purview SDK is its ability to provide real-time data classification and inline protection. Sensitive information is automatically tagged and safeguarded in both user prompts and AI responses. This proactive approach empowers security teams to detect and mitigate risks such as prompt injection attacks and inadvertent data exposure.

Moreover, security and compliance administrators gain detailed visibility into AI app usage, user-level risk posture, and potential unethical or risky behaviors. The SDK supports auditing, electronic discovery, and compliance monitoring, helping organizations meet regulatory requirements as they scale AI adoption. However, balancing robust security with usability presents challenges: overly strict controls could hinder innovation, while lax policies might expose organizations to compliance risks.

Integration and Multi-Platform Support

Designed for flexibility, the Purview SDK offers REST APIs, thorough documentation, and code samples to simplify integration across diverse development environments. It supports not only Microsoft’s own Copilot and Azure AI Foundry but also custom AI applications built on other platforms. Consequently, organizations with hybrid or multi-cloud architectures can adopt a consistent security posture for all their AI workloads.

This broad compatibility reflects Microsoft’s recognition of the varied enterprise AI landscape. By extending Zero Trust security principles to AI agents and workflows, the SDK delivers granular control and oversight, regardless of where or how AI is deployed.

Addressing the Evolving Risks of Generative AI

As generative AI becomes more widespread, organizations face new risks—ranging from inadvertent data leakage to deliberate insider threats. The Purview SDK’s machine learning models in Insider Risk Management allow for the detection of suspicious activities, such as intellectual property theft or policy violations. Tailored risk policies help security teams respond quickly to emerging threats while maintaining compliance.

Nevertheless, achieving the right balance between proactive governance and operational agility remains a complex task. While the SDK enhances oversight, organizations must continuously refine their policies and adapt to changing threat landscapes to maximize the benefits of these new capabilities.

Conclusion: Empowering Secure and Compliant AI Innovation

The introduction of the Microsoft Purview SDK marks a significant step forward in securing AI applications. By embedding user-context-aware controls and comprehensive governance features, Microsoft enables organizations to confidently scale their use of generative AI while protecting sensitive data and meeting compliance demands.

Ultimately, this approach empowers developers to focus on innovation, knowing that advanced security and compliance measures are integrated at every stage of the AI app lifecycle. As AI continues to reshape industries, tools like the Purview SDK will be essential in balancing progress with protection.

Keywords

Secure AI apps user-context-aware controls Microsoft Purview SDK AI security Microsoft SDK user context access control AI app protection