After You Scan for Confidential Data
Data discovery tools, like Spirion, locate some confidential data. Even the best tools are not foolproof. You will need to examine other files to determine if more confidential data is present. The information in this article is intended for end-users and the technical staff who support them.
This article applies to: Spirion (formerly Identity Finder)
Deal With Automated Results
Guidelines
- Spreadsheets, databases, and electronic mail cause difficulties for data discovery tools. You should carefully examine any of these file types for data missed by your data discovery tool.
- Confidential data tends to follow certain business processes or storage practices. Pay special attention to folders or directories where your data discovery tool found confidential data. Other files stored there, or files of the same type or similar name, may contain confidential data.
- If you do find confidential data in your mail folders, delete the message and then empty the Trash. Policy 5.10 Information Security states that you should not send confidential data in email unless it is encrypted.
Housekeeping After a Scan
| Do This | Why |
|---|---|
| Delete the log file generated by the data discovery tool. | The log file is a potential roadmap to any confidential data remaining on your computer. |
| Empty the Trash or Recycle Bin. | Ensures any files you deleted during the cleanup process are actually gone. |
| In your email program, empty the Trash folder and compact mailboxes. | Your email program may be configured to store deleted messages in the Trash folder. |
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