Protecting private information is very important in today’s digital world. And because cyber threats are always changing, businesses need strong ways to find and stop possible breaches. When it comes to cybersecurity tools, the best Sensitive Data Scanners stand out because they are the best at finding and protecting private data.
These scanners use complex algorithms and deep scanning methods to find private information on a wide range of platforms, such as servers, databases, and the cloud. They can find sensitive information like personally identifiable information (PII), financial records, and intellectual property because they can scan very thoroughly.
Some of the best sensitive data scanners let you change the way they scan, so companies can make their security measures fit their needs and meet compliance standards. They also send alerts and reports in real time, which lets you take proactive steps to reduce security risks and make sure you’re following the rules. Below, we have mentioned the best Sensitive Data Scanners.
What is Sensitive Data Scanner?
A sensitive data scanner is a piece of hardware or software that can find and identify private data in computer systems, networks, or databases. Personal identifiable information (PII), financial records, intellectual property, and other sensitive data are some of the things that it looks through in files, folders, and storage areas. Pattern recognition, keyword matching, and data classification algorithms are some of the methods the scanner uses to find sensitive data and help organisations make sure they are following privacy and security rules.
Best Sensitive Data Scanners Comparison Table
Cybersecurity tools like sensitive data scanners identify and protect confidential data in networks and storage systems. They use advanced algorithms to detect and classify sensitive data like PII, financial records, and intellectual property, helping organisations comply and prevent data breaches.
| Feature | Digital Guardian | Egnyte | CYRISMA | Metomic | Netwrix Data Classification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Data Loss Prevention (DLP) | Enterprise File Sync & Collaboration (EFSS) with DLP capabilities | Data Loss Prevention (DLP) | Data Loss Prevention (DLP) | Data classification and governance |
| Data Types Protected | Structured, unstructured, semi-structured data | Primarily files and documents | Structured, unstructured, semi-structured data | Primarily files and documents | Structured, unstructured data |
| Deployment Options | On-premises, cloud, hybrid | Cloud-based | On-premises, cloud | Cloud-based | On-premises, cloud |
Digital Guardian
Features:
- Real-time data protection
- Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
- Behavioral analytics for threat detection
- Data loss prevention (DLP) capabilities
Digital Guardian Data Discovery helps organisations find and secure sensitive data at rest. The tool helps organisations find sensitive and regulated data in servers, shares, and databases. Pre-configured templates speed up the discovery of PHI, PCI, and PII, and templates can be customised to comply with GDPR and different data formats. Currently, this is one of the best Sensitive Data Scanners.
Pros
- Advanced threat detection capabilities
- Robust data loss prevention features
- Granular access controls
Cons
- Complexity in setup and configuration
- High cost of implementation and maintenance
Egnyte
Features:
- Hybrid cloud collaboration platform
- Secure file sharing and storage
- Granular access controls and permissions
- Integration with popular productivity tools
Egnyte, a secure multi-cloud content security and governance platform, helps organizations protect and collaborate on their most valuable content. Egnyte, founded in 2008, has democratized cloud content security for over 17,000 organizations, helping them improve data security, compliance, ransomware prevention, and employee productivity on any app, cloud, or location. Overall, this is one of the best Sensitive Data Scanners.
Pros
- Seamless file sharing and collaboration
- Integration with various third-party applications
- Scalability to fit different organizational needs
Cons
- Limited customization options
- Occasional user interface complexities
CYRISMA
Features:
- Risk management and compliance platform
- Automated assessment of cybersecurity posture
- Centralized control of security policies
- Customizable reporting and analytics
CYRISMA is a cloud-hosted, all-in-one cyber risk management platform that was made to make cybersecurity easier to understand and give all businesses access to high-quality security technology. It makes finding, evaluating, and reducing cyber risk easier while getting rid of high licensing fees, long deployment times, and technologies that are hard to use. This is the best Sensitive Data Scanners that you can consider.
Pros
- Comprehensive risk management features
- User-friendly interface
- Customizable compliance reporting
Cons
- Relatively new in the market, potential for limited feature maturity
- Integration challenges with some existing systems
Metomic
Features:
- Privacy compliance automation
- Consent management for user data
- Privacy policy generation and management
- Data subject request management
Metomic helps businesses keep private information safe across all of their SaaS apps. Metomic helps tech companies avoid costly data breaches by giving them full visibility and control over sensitive data in their SaaS suite, which includes Slack, Google Drive, and Zendesk. It’s never been more likely for sensitive information to get into the wrong hands than it is now that more people work from home. Overall, it is one of the best Sensitive Data Scanners that you can consider.
Pros
- Simplified data privacy compliance management
- User-centric data control features
- Integration with popular tools and platforms
Cons
- Limited scalability for large enterprises
- May require additional customization for specific use cases
Netwrix Data Classification
Features:
- Automated data discovery and classification
- Granular insights into sensitive data exposure
- Integration with data governance frameworks
- Policy-driven data handling and access controls
Netwrix Data Classification helps organisations identify and classify sensitive and business-critical data across the enterprise, reducing data breaches and meeting compliance requirements with less effort and cost. This data classification tool uses compound term processing and statistical analysis, unlike others that use keywords and regular expressions. Still, it is one of the best Sensitive Data Scanners that you can consider.
Pros
- Automated data discovery and classification
- Real-time monitoring of data access and usage
- Integration with existing security infrastructure
Cons
- Initial setup and configuration can be complex
- Limited support for certain file types and formats
Benefits of Using Sensitive Data Scanners
When companies want to keep sensitive information safe and follow data protection rules, sensitive data scanners can help in a number of ways. These are some of the main benefits:
Finding Sensitive Data: Sensitive data scanners are made to find and identify sensitive data in a company’s digital assets, such as its databases, file servers, email systems, and cloud storage. This includes information that can be used to identify a person (PII), financial data, health records, intellectual property, and other private data.
Following the rules: Sensitive data scanners help businesses follow data protection rules like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), and more. By finding and protecting sensitive data, businesses can avoid the fines and legal problems that come with not following the rules.
Risk Mitigation: Organisations can find potential security risks and holes before they are used by bad people by scanning for sensitive data on a regular basis. In response, businesses can take steps to lower their risks, like putting in place access controls, encryption, or data masking methods to keep private data safe.
Data Governance: Sensitive data scanners help companies set up and follow data governance policies by showing them how data moves, how it is used, and who has access to it. This lets companies keep track of how their data is used, make sure they’re following the rules, and make sure that everyone in the company follows the same data protection steps.
Data Discovery and Classification: Sensitive data scanners use complex algorithms and pattern recognition methods to find and sort sensitive data based on factors like data type, format, and context. This lets companies sort data into groups based on how sensitive it is and then use the right security controls for each group.
How to Choose the Right Sensitive Data Scanner for Your Needs
When picking the right sensitive data scanner, you need to think about your specific needs, the types of sensitive data you need to scan, compliance rules, the scanner’s ability to grow with your needs, and how easy it is to use. This step-by-step guide will help you pick the best sensitive data scanner for your needs:
Figure out what you need: Find out exactly what you need to do to scan sensitive data. Think about the kinds of private information (PII) you need to scan, like financial information, intellectual property, private documents, or PII.
Thoughts on Compliance: Check out the rules and regulations that your organisation has to follow. Find out if the sensitive data scanner has to follow rules like GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, CCPA, or rules that are specific to the industry.
Supported Data Types and Formats: Check to see what kinds of data and file formats the sensitive data scanner can read. Make sure the scanner can look at a lot of different types of data, such as files, databases, emails, cloud storage, and both structured and unstructured data.
Ways and Means of Scanning: Think about the ways and means of scanning that the sensitive data scanner uses. Look for scanners that use advanced algorithms, pattern recognition, data fingerprinting, and machine learning to find and sort sensitive data correctly in a variety of settings and data sources.
Scalability and Performance: Check to see how well the sensitive data scanner can handle growth and performance. Things to think about include scanning speed, throughput, and the ability to quickly handle a lot of data, especially in large-scale business settings.
FAQs
Retailers record scanner data when customers buy. They show the quantity and price of each item sold in a store on a given day.
Scanning converts paper maps into digital images by capturing features as pixels. GIS activities rely heavily on maps.
