Building Effective Policies for Unstructured Data Access Control

Executive Summary

Unstructured data, existing in various forms like documents, presentations, image files, and video files, is omnipresent. With an estimated 85% of all business information comprising unstructured data, businesses face a serious challenge in managing its access. The lack of effective policies and processes for controlling unstructured data access can lead to data breaches, compliance issues, and legal complications.

This whitepaper highlights the importance of building robust policies for unstructured data access control and provides a comprehensive guide to implementing them effectively.

Technical Overview

Unstructured data is any electronic data without a specific structure or stored outside of a database. This includes emails, Word documents, PDFs, spreadsheets, images, and more. Controlling access to such data is critical due to the high risks associated with unauthorized or inappropriate access.

Architecture & Implementation

To effectively manage unstructured data access, a systematic approach is required. This involves establishing a well-defined data architecture, implementing rigorous data governance practices, and deploying advanced data security measures.

Code Examples & Best Practices

Establishing ownership of unstructured data is a critical first step in access management. Code snippets and implementation guides can help IT professionals in implementing this effectively.

Performance Analysis

Regular audits and analysis of unstructured data access can help in identifying any potential risks, ensuring the effectiveness of policies, and making necessary modifications.

Troubleshooting Guide

Despite the best practices, issues may arise. A troubleshooting guide can help in resolving common problems related to unstructured data access.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Building an effective policy for unstructured data access is not just a need but a necessity in today’s data-driven business world. Companies are encouraged to take a proactive approach towards this to prevent any potential data breaches and legal complications.