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Data discovery: protect your data at rest

Search your devices for sensitive files that no one has worked with for a long time. Analyze the results and export them into an .xlsx file.

In this article, you will learn:

 

 


Introduction: What is Data discovery

✍️Data discovery differs in principle from other Dashboard sections because it analyzes data at rest, while all the other sections show data in motion or data in use. 

Data discovery examines data at rest. It searches for files with sensitive data stored on your devices to give you transparency over the locations of “cold” sensitive files (i.e., sensitive files that have not been accessed or used for some time).

Data discovery:

  • Brings clarity and transparency into which devices contain files with sensitive data. Admins can then focus on those that need action.
  • Provides admins value immediately after installation without any input from their side.

 

 


How Data discovery works in Safetica

Data discovery is enabled by default, works automatically, and does not need to be set up. It starts running on all devices with Safetica Client installed and searches critical paths. 

Data discovery searches for sensitive data based on all enabled data classifications. The search is continuous – once a Data discovery run is finished, it is immediately started again. It is also restarted each time a data classification is created or edited (e.g., a new keyword is added).

If the user shuts down their device before the Data discovery search is finished, it will resume after the device is online again.

 

Data discovery in action

Want to see Data discovery in action? Watch the video below to learn how to analyze data at rest with Safetica:

 

✍️To learn how to set up or disable Data discovery, click here.

 

 


Where to see the results of Data discovery

To see the results of data discovery, i.e. what sensitive data was found in stored files:

  1. Go to the Data discovery section in Safetica console.
  2. In the table, you will see a list of stored files that contain sensitive data.
  3. Click the desired record in the table.
  4. The data classification detail will open. You will see what data classifications the file matched, what data was detected (e.g., birth numbers), and the number of occurrences.

 

 


How to export Data discovery records into a .xlsx file

You can export the info from the Data discovery section (including selected filters) into a .xlsx file.

Depending on the amount of exported data, creating the export may take several minutes. Meanwhile, you can keep working in the console, but please remain signed in. If you sign out, the export creation will be canceled.
Once ready, the exported file will be automatically downloaded.

To export Data discovery records:

  1. Go to the Data discovery section in Safetica console.
  2. Click Export, and in the dialog window confirm by clicking Export data.
  3. The export creation will start.
  4. Once the export is ready, it is automatically downloaded.