The biggest challenge for data protection and compliance is the sheer volume of data that needs to be protected and brought into compliance. Protecting the data appropriately requires understanding it, but that’s difficult. Not only is the volume high, much of the data is duplicate, obsolete, or unimportant—but identifying the critical data in the mass of other data is nearly impossible. The only way to achieve the necessary understanding is through using tools that apply machine learning and other automated insights.
A digital compliance process should have these capabilities:
1. Data capture
Compliance needs to be applied to all of a business’ data, including data in cloud-based file sharing services and multiple messaging platforms.
2. Data classification
In order to protect data properly, it must be classified as to whether it contains personally identifiable information or other sensitive data that falls under specific compliance regulations.
3. Data analysis
In addition to identifying data as sensitive or not, data needs to be analyzed to understand the severity of the risks to it. This requires identifying how the data is accessed and shared, and building models of normal usage patterns so variations can be detected and trigger alerts.
4. Data archiving
Without appropriate controls, data is ephemeral. Many regulatory standards require data retention for extended periods of time; a well-managed archiving process is necessary to ensure data is stored as long as needed but not longer.
5. Data searching
The archived data needs to be searchable in order to satisfy eDiscovery requests.
6. Data monitoring
Workflows and operational processes surrounding archived data need to be monitored to ensure they’re in compliance with business and regulatory processes.
Without tools to support these processes, businesses will find it difficult to meet the requirements of GDPR, California Consumer Privacy Act, and other upcoming data privacy regulations.
Veritas offers a comprehensive suite of tools that enable businesses to implement a robust digital compliance program. Tools include Data Insight, which analyzes data and identifies the risks it faces; Merge1, which ensures messages and unstructured data generated on communications and file-sharing platforms are captured and archived; Information Classifier, which identifies sensitive data through patterns and policies; Enterprise Vault, which stores and manages archived data; Advanced Supervision, which supports review of communications data to ensure it’s in accordance with policies; and eDiscovery Platform, which enables businesses to effectively respond to eDiscovery requests.
Taken together, the tools enable businesses to implement and automate effective information governance. By replacing manual procedures with automation, policies can be consistently applied across the business’ complete data set, ensuring all data is properly controlled and aligned with compliance policies. As a Veritas partner, VAST IT Services provides support for the full set of Veritas digital compliance policies. Contact us to learn more about how to implement digital compliance using tools from Veritas.
