E-commerce businesses deal with massive amounts of data, including sensitive data that needs to be protected. Data scanning allows businesses to wade through sensitive data, such as digital assets, personally identifiable information (PII), electronic health records, and more. With the right data scanning tools, e-commerce businesses can protect the security of their data, customers' information, and overall operations. » New to data privacy? Explore this guide to e-commerce data privacy↗
What Is Sensitive Data?
Sensitive data↗ is private information that must be kept secure and away from unauthorized access. If not, consequences can include financial loss, damaged reputations, diminished competitive advantage, and compromised security and privacy. Sensitive data encompasses a wide range of information types and includes both original and copied versions. This category of data typically contains the following:
- Protected health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996↗ (HIPAA)
- Education records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974↗ (FERPA)
- Financial customer information under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act↗ (GLB)
- Cardholder data under the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard↗ (PCI DSS)
- Confidential personnel information under the State Personnel Act↗
- Confidential information under the North Carolina Public Records Act↗
- Sensitive personal data under the EU General Data Protection Regulation↗ (GDPR) Bulleted List
How Does Sensitive Data Affect E-commerce?
In the digital age, sensitive data risks being exposed in many ways. Hackers can access systems and databases using various techniques, including phishing scams, malware infections, and other vulnerabilities. Once they have access, they can steal or modify customer information, causing serious damage to an e-commerce business. Sensitive data scanning is a critical component of risk management in e-commerce. By identifying and protecting sensitive data, businesses can reduce the chances of data breaches↗ or other security incidents. Additionally, they can ensure compliance with industry standards, CCPA↗, HIPAA, or GDPR and help safeguard customer trust and confidence. » Worried about your store's data security? Address these essential e-commerce data privacy issues↗
5 Useful Sensitive Data Scanning Tools
Sensitive data discovery tools help you find unknown sources of sensitive data within your organization and assess the associated risk levels. Here are some sensitive data scanning tools you can use to protect your data and ensure compliance:
1. PieEye Data Scanner↗
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<figure class="wp-block-image"></figure> image PieEye is a privacy compliance management tool utilized by some of the world's most innovative companies. PieEye's data scanner allows you to scan, discover, index, and organize all types of sensitive data with AI-powered technology, including structured and unstructured data based on business rules set by its user. Scan databases, files, and third-party vendors while also remediating data and ensuring compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other regulations. <figure class="wp-block-image"></figure> PieEye Data Scanner ( %{count} Reviews)Install Now Call to Action ### 2. [Datadog Sensitive Data Scanner](https://www.datadoghq.com/product/sensitive-data-scanner/?_gl=1*1vrvpr7*_ga*MTgyMDAzOTY5MC4xNjY5OTgzODQw*_ga_KN80RDFSQK*MTY2OTk4Mzg0MC4xLjAuMTY2OTk4Mzg0MC42MC4wLjA.) Replace <figure class="wp-block-image"></figure> image Datadog's Sensitive Data Scanner improves security by identifying, tagging, and redacting or hashing sensitive data. This way, compliance teams can defend against sensitive data leaks and non-compliance risks. The tool allows you to define scanning groups with query filters and toggles, and define scanning rules to determine what sensitive information needs to match within the data. <figure class="wp-block-image"></figure> Datadog Sensitive Data Scanner ( %{count} Reviews)Install Now Call to Action ### 3. [ManageEngine DataSecurity Plus](https://www.manageengine.com/data-security/risk-analysis/data-risk-assessment.html?topMenu) Replace <figure class="wp-block-image"></figure> image With ManageEngine DataSecurity Plus, you can effectively audit your file server, monitor compliance, and prevent data loss. This system also categorizes sensitive data with a PII scanner and assesses and reorganizes your access rights management structure. With pre-set security policy templates for significant data privacy standards, the tool can help you enforce compliance without any headaches. <figure class="wp-block-image"></figure> ManageEngine DataSecurity Plus ( %{count} Reviews)Start Your Free Trial Call to Action ### 4. [Spirion Sensitive Data Manager](https://www.spirion.com/products/sensitive-data-manager/) Replace <figure class="wp-block-image"></figure> image To reduce the likelihood of sensitive data storage being hacked, this cloud platform installs agents on devices at your site. You can also carry out “agentless” monitoring of cloud platforms for a data management strategy geared towards reducing the vulnerability of sensitive data storage. It also scans for information on intellectual property, PHI, PII, and credit card information. <figure class="wp-block-image"></figure> Spirion Sensitive Data Manager ( %{count} Reviews)Visit Site Call to Action ### 5. [N-able Risk Intelligence Software](https://www.n-able.com/features/risk-intelligence) Replace <figure class="wp-block-image"></figure> image N-able Risk Intelligence's software is beneficial because it doesn't just focus on sensitive data. It also scans Windows and Mac OS devices for security weaknesses, like outdated programs. Furthermore, it analyzes the safety surrounding email systems. <figure class="wp-block-image"></figure> N-able Risk Intelligence Software ( %{count} Reviews)Start Your Free Trial Call to Action #### Conclusion Whether you are concerned about data breaches, non-compliance risks, or simply want to strengthen your organization's security posture, using a sensitive data scanning tool can help. There are many options available today, including the options we discussed above. Whatever your needs, there is likely a tool out there that can help. So, consider investigating these options to find the right one for you! **» Does data privacy increase customer trust?** Discover [data privacy practices for gaining customer trust](https://pii.ai/sensitive-data/how-to-increase-customer-privacy-and-trust-in-e-commerce)