Sensitive Data Discovery Software is a specialized tool that helps businesses locate and identify sensitive information within their data repositories. This is often essential for compliance with various industry regulations regarding data protection and privacy, such as: * General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) * California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) * Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) * Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) * International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards Businesses utilize sensitive data discovery software to identify the locations of critical data, often to ensure compliance with various industry regulations related to data protection and privacy. Typically, information security teams deploy and manage these tools, while privacy teams may request insights from the generated reports. Such software scans structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data across on-premises databases, cloud storage, email servers, websites, applications, and more. Sensitive Data Discovery can be conducted through various methods, including manual surveys managed via workflows or automated discovery tools. For a product to qualify in this category, it must offer automated data discovery capabilities. Sensitive Data Discovery Software shares characteristics with various tools, such as data loss prevention (DLP) software, data-centric security software, database security software, and general privacy software. Often, Sensitive Data Discovery is a built-in function of these solutions. It is distinct from data discovery software, which falls under business intelligence tools and helps organizations explore their data to uncover trends and visualize analysis. Additionally, sensitive data discovery differs from eDiscovery software, which is specifically designed for litigation purposes, enabling the collection and organization of data files from companies and individuals involved in legal cases. Key Features: * Automated Discovery: The software typically employs automated tools to scan structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data stored across various environments, including on-premises databases, cloud storage, email servers, websites, and applications. * Data Classification: It categorizes sensitive data based on predefined criteria, helping organizations understand where their critical information resides. * Reporting: Information security teams manage these tools, generating reports that privacy teams can use to request specific data insights. * Compliance Support: By identifying sensitive data, the software aids organizations in meeting regulatory requirements and minimizing the risk of data breaches.
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