Data discovery is the activity of finding where sensitive data resides so that it can be adequately protected or securely removed.
Benefits
Finding out where data is stored is one of the most important steps we can take to protect data at MIT. Electronic data stored on computers and servers can now be easily retreived with the software tool Identity Finder. Whether on a Mac OS or Windows computer, this tool seeks specifically for data that, if inadvertently exposed or breached, would possibly expose MIT to reputational harm and significant financial costs. It would also require notifying the individuals affected. Such data includes Social Security numbers, credit card and bank account numbers, passwords and driver's license numbers.
Key Features
- Centrally managed and configured for accurate search criteria
- Scheduled scans
- Instant reporting to the desktop if sensitive files have been detected
- Scrub, encrypt, shred or quarantine detected files
- Scans web history, email and email attachments as well as local and networked file systems
Requirements
Must be an MIT staff or faculty member, or must be a student authorized to access computers used for MIT's research and business purposes. Students can get a free version from the Identity Finder website (see below).
Getting Started
- Download the Identity Finder software to an individual computer. If more than one copy is needed for your team or business area, contact your local IT support, or contact idfinder-help@mit.edu. Areas with a DITR contract can request copies through their DITR consultant.
- Learn more about Identity Finder.
- Students can download a free and slightly limited version of the software from the Identity Finder website.