Exposing Hidden Threats: How to take control of shadow data with IBM? Guardium?.

Do you know where all your sensitive data is stored? Most organisations don’t, and that’s the problem. Shadow data—sensitive information stored outside of authorised systems like personal drives or unsanctioned cloud apps—can go unnoticed, creating a hidden risk that’s difficult to manage. If you’re responsible for data management in your organisation, you’re expected to protect every piece of information, but how do you secure what you can’t even see?

At ISW, we understand the challenges of uncovering, assessing, and securing shadow data. IBM? Guardium? Discover and Classify is a powerful solution that brings visibility, control, and automation to the areas that need it most. Let’s dive into the challenges shadow data creates and see how Guardium can empower you to stay one step ahead.

The challenges of managing shadow data

1. Data discovery and visibility

The first step to protecting shadow data is knowing where it’s stored. IBM? Guardium? Discover and Classify goes beyond surface-level scans, using advanced network-based analytics to locate both known and unknown data across all environments—whether stored on-premises, in cloud services like Google Drive or OneDrive, or even in lesser-known applications. This isn’t just a one-time scan; Guardium? continuously monitors for new data in real-time, updating your data map as your information landscape evolves.

2. Contextualising and classifying sensitive data

Identifying data is only part of the challenge. It must be classified according to its sensitivity and regulatory requirements to manage shadow data. IBM? Guardium? achieves this with automated classification tools that sort data based on specific characteristics, like content type, location, and context. This detailed categorisation enables us to prioritise protections for data that matters most—whether it’s Personally Identifiable Information (PII), financial records, or intellectual property—allowing for a nuanced approach that reduces risk without overburdening resources.

3. Applying Risk-Based Controls

Locating and classifying data is only effective if strong, context-aware controls back it. Guardium? automates risk-based access controls, applying restrictions and real-time monitoring based on data sensitivity. For instance, Guardium? can trigger alerts if sensitive information is accessed unexpectedly or moved to unauthorised locations, allowing risk officers to respond instantly. This active approach ensures that your data remains protected even in dynamic, high-risk situations.

4. Ensuring Compliance with Built-In Solutions

Shadow data isn’t just a security risk—it’s a compliance concern. Unmonitored or unprotected data can lead to accidental non-compliance with standards like GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA, posing reputational and financial threats. Guardium? simplifies compliance with pre-configured templates that align with major regulatory frameworks, and real-time reporting enables you to document data access and movement for fast, accurate audits. Compliance becomes part of your daily operations rather than an added burden.

5. Streamlining Complex Deployment

In data-rich, complex environments, deployment should be straightforward yet powerful. IBM? Guardium? Discover and Classify offer a simplified architecture that scales easily, handling data load and adapting to various storage locations and formats. This streamlined setup allows organisations to deploy Guardium quickly and start seeing results without a prolonged onboarding process. By minimising complexity, Guardium helps us focus on what matters most: securing data.

Take control of shadow data with IBM? Guardium?.

Unmanaged shadow data doesn’t have to be a risk you carry. At ISW, we specialise in helping organisations uncover, secure, and optimise their data strategies with IBM? Guardium? Discover and Classify. Visit us at isw.net.au or at 1300 850 479 to contact our experts and explore how IBM Guardium can strengthen your data security framework, protect against hidden risks, and support your mission to secure every piece of sensitive information in your organisation.