In an era where data breaches are not only frequent but also increasingly costly, businesses face growing pressure to protect sensitive information from external and internal threats. The cost of a data breach continues to rise, with the average breach now costing companies $4.88M, according to the latest reports. This highlights a crucial question: How can organizations ensure they maintain visibility into their data to prevent breaches before they happen?
IBM Discover and Classify offers a vital solution in this ongoing battle for data security. By leveraging AI-driven automation, this tool helps enterprises identify and categorize sensitive data throughout its lifecycle, providing the foundation for a strong data protection strategy. This blog delves into how IBM Discover and Classify, when integrated with IBM Guardium, creates a comprehensive security framework for modern organizations.
The Need for a Proactive Data Security Strategy
As companies generate vast amounts of data daily, it becomes more challenging to manage, monitor, and secure this information effectively. Traditional perimeter-based security methods are no longer sufficient to address the complexities of modern data environments. A robust data security strategy must focus on safeguarding the data itself, whether it resides on-premises, in the cloud, or across hybrid environments.
According to IBM’s comprehensive data security strategy guide, proactive identification of sensitive data is key to preventing breaches before they occur. IBM Discover and Classify steps in as the cornerstone of this proactive strategy, enabling organizations to automatically discover where sensitive data resides, classify it based on risk levels, and take appropriate steps to protect it.
IBM Discover and Classify: A Critical Step in Data Security
At the heart of a secure data infrastructure lies the ability to locate and categorize sensitive data. IBM Discover and Classify provides organizations with the tools they need to:
- Discover: Automatically scan databases, file systems, and cloud environments to uncover sensitive data, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII), financial records, and intellectual property.
- Classify: Apply predefined and customizable classification rules to organize data based on sensitivity levels, ensuring proper access controls and protection measures.
- Monitor: Continuously track where data is moving, who is accessing it, and how it’s being used, helping organizations stay compliant with regulations such as GDPR and CCPA.
Integrating IBM Guardium for Full Spectrum Data Protection
IBM Discover and Classify becomes even more powerful when combined with IBM Guardium, a leader in data security. By integrating these two solutions, businesses gain comprehensive data visibility, security, and compliance management. IBM Guardium enhances the capabilities of Discover and Classify by providing real-time monitoring and automated responses to suspicious activities. With IBM Guardium, organizations can:
- Monitor and enforce data policies across diverse environments.
- Detect unusual behavior and prevent unauthorized access or data leaks.
- Automate responses to potential security incidents, ensuring that data breaches are mitigated before they escalate.
The synergy between IBM Discover and Classify and IBM Guardium offers businesses a 360-degree view of their data security landscape, ensuring they can both prevent and respond to emerging threats.
Why Businesses Need IBM Discover and Classify Today
With increasing data breaches and strict compliance regulations, businesses need tools that provide real-time insights into their data landscape. The automated discovery and classification capabilities of IBM Discover and Classify make it easier for organizations to manage sensitive data and mitigate risks proactively. When coupled with IBM Guardium’s real-time monitoring and advanced protection features, businesses have a powerful ally in their journey toward data resilience.
In conclusion, IBM Discover and Classify is not just another tool—it’s a fundamental part of any organization’s data security strategy. By enabling companies to automatically discover, classify, and secure sensitive data, it helps reduce the risk of costly breaches and ensures compliance with ever-evolving regulations.
For organizations looking to strengthen their data security strategy, now is the time to explore the combined power of IBM Discover and Classify with IBM Guardium. With Jeskell Systems’ expertise as an IBM Platinum Business Partner, we’re ready to help you navigate this journey and protect your most valuable asset—your data.