Sensitive Data Discovery Tools Gartner– In today’s world, it has become crucial for organizations to keep sensitive data. This data has to be protected as businesses expand their presence on the World Wide Web. Gartner has opened up the opportunity to do just that with its guide.
Here, several of Gartner’s experts reveal their best tips to get the most out of your data protection strategy. They assist you in the discovery of unknown threats and provide you with the best solutions to safeguard your precious information.
Key Takeaways
- Appreciate the role of sensitive data discovery and classification for modern data protection strategies.
- Discover how a company can identify the various forms of sensitive data that it has to protect.
- Learn how Cloud Migration affects the handling of Sensitive Data and the use of discovery tools.
- Discover the top sensitive data discovery tools recommended by Gartner, including Microsoft Azure Information Protection and Microsoft 365 Compliance.
- Get tips on Gartner’s key evaluation criteria and best practices for implementing effective sensitive data discovery solutions.

The Importance of Sensitive Data Discovery and Classification
Evaluating and categorizing sensitive data that needs protection is important for organizations to protect their information. Comprised of PII, PHI, MNPI, and much more, it seems like it is constantly being added into the build of data classification and protection.
Understanding what data is sensitive makes it possible for companies to guard it and comply with data privacy regulations.
Types of Sensitive Data
Companies need to watch out for many types of sensitive data. This includes:
- Personally Identifiable Information (PII): This information can identify someone, like names, addresses, and social security numbers.
- Protected Health Information (PHI): These are medical records and health info protected by laws like HIPAA.
- Material Nonpublic Information (MNPI): This is business info that could affect a company’s stock price if shared.
Impact of Cloud Migration
The transferring of information to the cloud has significantly impacted how organizations approach discover and categorize sensitive information. This means that while the company using the cloud services has responsibilities concerning security and retention so does the cloud service provider.
Due to the increased risk of exposure of personal data to the cloud by employees, the company has to ensure appropriate regulation of data. This is more inconvenient because data can easily decentralize in the cloud and it becomes difficult for the IT department to monitor them.
Competitor | Ratings |
Microsoft | 4.3/5 |
Oracle | 4.1/5 |
IBM | 4.2/5 |
Informatica | 4.4/5 |
OpenText | 4.0/5 |
“Effective sensitive data discovery and classification is the foundation for any successful data security and compliance strategy.”
Sensitive Data Discovery Tools Gartner: Top Solutions and Features
The top solutions presented in Gartner’s report are Microsoft Azure Information Protection and Microsoft 365 Compliance. This allows searching for, as well as filtering and securing, such information within organizations.
It employs powerful technology to analyze data and enable companies to notice and monitor their sensitive data. Thus, they can reduce risks and adjust to rules here associated with cheating on one’s significant other.
Microsoft Azure Information Protection and Microsoft 365 Compliance
Some of the features of Azure Information Protection and the Microsoft 365 Compliance Center include the following regarding the locating and protection of sensitive data.
Data monitoring and protection involve tools such as data classification, data discovery, and many other data security solutions for an organization to monitor and secure sensitive data.
- Azure Information Protection helps in making classification and labeling of data depending on the sensitivity of the data.
- Microsoft 365 Compliance has the required tools to handle the rules, search for lost information, and keep the information in check.
- These tools use smart technologies to categorize and secure information without relying on humans as much.
- Since more companies employ the cloud, these tools help monitor sensitive data in Microsoft Azure and other cloud places.
By employing such tools as Microsoft Azure Information Protection, and Microsoft 365 Compliance, organizations improve their protection of their information assets. It allows them to comply with standards such as HIPAA and PCI DSS.
Evaluation Criteria and Best Practices
Deciding on which sensitive data discovery tools to use, the following factors have to be considered. These are how effective it is, in the case of collecting data in various locations; its reliability, and usability.
It should also be able to integrate well with what you already have which includes good reporting and analytics. Second, check compliance with the data security plans and ensure compliance with the rules.

Key Evaluation Criteria
- This tool should identify and present PII in on-premises, cloud, and hybrid spaces.
- It should easily sort and categorize sensitive data using set rules and laws.
- The tool must be easy to be used by the clients and should cooperate with other security and data instruments.
- It required powerful reporting to reflect the data risks, its trends, and whether or not the solution complies.
- It exists as a tool to help achieve data security objectives and is part of your data protection strategy.
Best Practices for Implementation
Sensitive data discovery tools should be effectively used by following the guidelines. It is important therefore to set the right objectives when organizing for data protection. Next, identify and categorize sensitive data frequently.
It is required to ensure that all workers receive an understanding of data protection. Incorporating these tools in the right data governance strategy will help you lock down that information.
- Set clear goals for data protection.
- Check and sort sensitive data often.
- Use strong data access controls and rules.
- Give regular data security training to all employees.
- Make sure the data discovery tools work with your other security and data tools.
- Keep an eye on and improve how you find and protect data.
By using the right tools and following best practices, organizations can reduce the risk of sensitive data. This assists in developing a strong data protection program.
“Sensitive data discovery and classification are key to any data security plan. The right tools and steps help organizations see, assess risks, and protect their most important data.”
Sensitive Data Discovery Tools Gartner- Conclusion
The use of tools in identifying sensitive data is crucial in ensuring the safety of important information in organizations. They assist in the Identification, Classification, and Protection of Information.
Using Gartner’s tips and the best software, such as Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Informatica, and OpenTex businesses will be protected. It also prevents situations with data leaks and compliance with legal acts such as HIPAA and GDPR.
Indeed, in the current world acquiring these tools is essential due to advancements in technology. As it has been said, securing information in many cloud platforms is necessary.
It maintains trust with customers, partners, and the inspecting eye of the regulator. The tools assist in identifying sensitive data and also tag them making it easier to see areas of risk.
By having your sensitive data discovered only by the tools, it is only got by the right people. Business users and analysts in turn can also benefit from the help that it provides in handling data.
Applications such as semantic search and auto-profiling help in locating and recovering data more easily. This goes further in supporting the company when it comes to protecting data as well as sticking to privacy laws.
Also Read: Data Discovery Tools GDPR: Compliance Made Easy
FAQs
What are the key types of sensitive data that organizations need to protect?
Some data types need protection and control: personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), and material non-public information (MNPI).
How has the migration to the cloud impacted sensitive data discovery and classification?
But with the remedy shifting to the cloud, things have become even tougher. It becomes difficult for these IT and security teams to keep track of the data since it becomes dispersed and widespread.
What are some of the leading sensitive data discovery tools recommended by Gartner?
As per Gartner, MIP also known as Microsoft Azure Information Protection and Microsoft 365 Compliance are preferred. It assists in locating and filtering of exclusive information in an organization and shields it.
What key criteria should organizations consider when evaluating sensitive data discovery tools?
Search for tools that can search for information from multiple sources at once. They should be able to sort data well, should be easy to use, and interface with your existing systems. Other important elements are good reporting and analytics.
What are some best practices for implementing sensitive data discovery tools effectively?
To this end, it is required to develop strategic and clear objectives for data protection. Perform daily data audits, and provide educational materials for employees on data protection. Ensure these tools are integrated with your framework to manage data.