Netwrix introduces a rebranded version of a platform first introduced last year, which uses technology from Concept Searching. In addition to the name change, there are subtle changes to how it is packaged and sold that will let partners target customers more effectively.
Ken Tripp, Director of Channel Accounts at Netwrix
Irvine CA-based Netwrix, which makes a visibility platform for data security, risk mitigation and governance, has announced a rebranded and upgraded version of their data classification solution. The new Netwrix Data Classification solution is designed to identify sensitive information and reduce its exposure by automatically tagging it with metadata.
A first version of this solution was introduced in April 2018 as Netwrix Auditor – Data Discovery and Classification Edition. The core technology came from a partnership with Concept Searching, an established specialist in semantic metadata generation that was started in the UK in 2002, and had developed a global footprint. In December 2018, Netwrix acquired Concept Searching. The new offering reflects the additional integration and development done since then.
“What we are announcing now is more than just a rebranding of the solution,” said Ken Tripp, Director of Channel Accounts at Netwrix. “We have simplified the understanding of what it offers, to make it much easier for end users and partners to understand. It also makes it much easier for them purchase what they need. Separating the use cases in the way that we do now makes it easier for partners.”
The initial version of the product had three use cases, and basically three different solution sets within it to address them – around discovery, remediation and content services.
Now we have two: Netwrix Data Classification, and the content services on top,” Tripp said. “What used to be Classification Plus, the remediation, is now a premium feature. We have made data tagging and data remediation workflows premium features to reduces the cost, and thus the entry point, instead of including everything at a higher price point.”
Tripp said that the reason for this was not to appeal to the price-conscious as much as it was a reflection of the fact that for some clients and their use cases, what are now the premium features were extra bells and whistles.
“Some clients did not need this functionality,” he said.
The basic functionality of Netwrix Data Classification lets organizations identify the data repositories with the most sensitive information so they can secure them first. They can also detect any PII [Personally Identifiable Information], PCI, PHI or IP that surfaces outside of a secure location so they can respond promptly. Organizations can enforce retention policies based on data type, and satisfy compliance requests from data subjects by finding their PII in minutes, not days.
“We had compliance and auditing capabilities before, but not the capability to scan files and dig deep into social insurance numbers and credit card numbers like we can now,” Tripp said. “With the privacy focus of compliance today, you you need the ability to identify and protect data, which means the ability to determine where data is. Something like the Right to be Forgotten in GDPR was not completely addressed before, and it is now.”
Tripp said that this product has done well since its original incarnation was introduced over a year ago.
“Our current sales exceed expectations,” he said. “It sells all over the place. We are ahead of the market in terms of functionality, in terms of the breadth of compliances we support, and being able to identify who has access to sensitive information. We are letting the market know that Netwrix has this functionality.”
For years, compliance was a niche application for regulated industries, and even the original introduction of GDPR didn’t spur much broader adoption, but Tripp said that things have changed.
“People were slow to react to GDPR, but fines are now coming,” he said. “Other compliance mandates are following suit, and it’s now becoming a must-have for the market. It’s no longer a ‘nice to have.’”
For partners, the ability to provide a compliance offering that can be targeted more explicitly to the customer needs is important.
“The channel has great relationships with the end client, and being able to provide a solution that is client friendly is important to them,” Tripp said.
