What is the function of sensitive information types in Microsoft Information Protection?

Sensitive information types play a critical role in Microsoft Information Protection by defining specific criteria for identifying sensitive data within an organization's environment. This includes patterns, keywords, and rules that help detect various forms of sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, or personal health information.

By leveraging sensitive information types, organizations can automate the protection of data by applying appropriate policies and controls. This functionality enables effective data governance and ensures compliance with data protection regulations. Providing a structured way to identify these sensitive elements allows organizations to implement measures such as data loss prevention (DLP) policies, encryption, and access controls, thereby minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches.

The other choices pertain to unrelated topics. Categorizing hardware devices is relevant to asset management, while determining internet usage patterns and monitoring employee performance are aspects of operational metrics rather than sensitive information classification.