With the rapid growth in the generation, storage, and sharing of data, ensuring its security has become both a necessity and a formidable challenge. Data breaches, cyberattacks, and insider threats are constant risks that require sophisticated solutions. This is where Data Security Platforms come into play, providing organisations with centralised tools and strategies to protect sensitive information and maintain compliance.
Key components of data security platforms
Effective DSPs are built on several core components that work together to protect data from unauthorised access, misuse, and theft. The components include:
1. Data discovery and classification
Before data can be secured, it needs to be classified and understood. DSPs typically include tools that automatically discover and categorize data based on its sensitivity and use. For example:
- Personal identifiable information (PII): Names, addresses, social security numbers, etc.
- Financial data: Credit card details, transaction records.
- Intellectual property (IP): Trade secrets, proprietary designs.
- Regulated data: Information governed by laws like GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA.
By identifying data types and categorizing them by sensitivity level, organisations can prioritise their security efforts.
2. Data encryption
Encryption transforms readable data into an unreadable format, ensuring that even if unauthorised users access the data, they cannot interpret it without the decryption key. Most DSPs support various encryption methods, including:
- At-rest encryption: Securing data stored on drives, databases, or other storage systems.
- In-transit encryption: Protecting data as it moves between devices, networks, or applications.
Modern DSPs often deploy advanced encryption standards (AES) or bring-your-own-key (BYOK) solutions, ensuring data security even when using third-party cloud storage.
3. Access control and identity management
Managing who has access to data is a important aspect of data security. DSPs enforce robust role-based access control (RBAC), ensuring only authorised users and systems can access sensitive information. With identity and access management (IAM) integration, DSPs can enhance security by combining authentication methods like:
- Biometrics (e.g. fingerprint or facial recognition).
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Behaviour-based authentication (monitoring user actions for anomalies).
4. Data loss prevention (DLP)
Data loss prevention tools in DSPs help prevent unauthorised sharing or exfiltration of sensitive data. They monitor and control data flows, blocking suspicious activity like:
- Sending confidential information over email.
- Transferring sensitive data to unauthorised external devices.
- Uploading important files to unapproved cloud services.
By enforcing data-handling policies, DSPs help organisations maintain control over their sensitive information.
5. Threat detection and response
DSPs employ threat detection systems powered by machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and behaviour analytics to identify unauthorised or malicious activity. Common features include:
- Anomaly detection: Identifies unusual behaviour, like accessing files outside normal business hours.
- Insider threat detection: Monitors employees or contractors who might misuse their access to internal data.
- Real-time alerts: Provide immediate notifications when a potential threat is detected.
Some platforms also include automated response mechanisms to isolate affected data or deactivate compromised user accounts.
6. Compliance audits and reporting
Many industries are subject to strict data protection regulations, like GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, or PCI DSS. DSPs help organisations comply with these laws by:
- Continuously monitoring data handling practices.
- Generating detailed audit trails.
- Providing pre-configured compliance templates and reporting tools.
The features simplify regulatory audits and reduce the risk of non-compliance penalties.
Best data security platforms of 2025
Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, these tools will help you manage risks, secure databases, and protect sensitive information.
1. Velotix
Velotix is an AI-driven data security platform focused on policy automation and intelligent data access control. It simplifies compliance with stringent data regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA, and helps organisations strike the perfect balance between accessibility and security. Key Features:
- AI-powered access governance: Velotix uses machine learning to ensure users only access data they need to see, based on dynamic access policies.
- Seamless integration: It integrates smoothly with existing infrastructures across cloud and on-premises environments.
- Compliance automation: Simplifies meeting legal and regulatory requirements by automating compliance processes.
- Scalability: Ideal for enterprises with complex data ecosystems, supporting hundreds of terabytes of sensitive data.
Velotix stands out for its ability to reduce the complexity of data governance, making it a must-have in today’s security-first corporate world.
2. NordLayer
NordLayer, from the creators of NordVPN, offers a secure network access solution tailored for businesses. While primarily a network security tool, it doubles as a robust data security platform by ensuring end-to-end encryption for your data in transit.
Key features:
- Zero trust security: Implements a zero trust approach, meaning users and devices must be verified every time data access is requested.
- AES-256 encryption Standards: Protects data flows with military-grade encryption.
- Cloud versatility: Supports hybrid and multi-cloud environments for maximum flexibility.
- Rapid deployment: Easy to implement even for smaller teams, requiring minimal IT involvement.
NordLayer ensures secure, encrypted communications between your team and the cloud, offering peace of mind when managing sensitive data.
3. HashiCorp Vault
HashiCorp Vault is a leader in secrets management, encryption as a service, and identity-based access. Designed for developers, it simplifies access control without placing sensitive data at risk, making it important for modern application development.
Key features:
- Secrets management: Protect sensitive credentials like API keys, tokens, and passwords.
- Dynamic secrets: Automatically generate temporary, time-limited credentials for improved security.
- Encryption as a service: Offers flexible tools for encrypting any data across multiple environments.
- Audit logging: Monitor data access attempts for greater accountability and compliance.
With a strong focus on application-level security, HashiCorp Vault is ideal for organisations seeking granular control over sensitive operational data.
4. Imperva Database Risk & Compliance
Imperva is a pioneer in database security. Its Database Risk & Compliance solution combines analytics, automation, and real-time monitoring to protect sensitive data from breaches and insider threats.
Key features:
- Database activity monitoring (DAM): Tracks database activity in real time to identify unusual patterns.
- Vulnerability assessment: Scans databases for security weaknesses and provides actionable remediation steps.
- Cloud and hybrid deployment: Supports flexible environments, ranging from on-premises deployments to modern cloud setups.
- Audit preparation: Simplifies audit readiness with detailed reporting tools and predefined templates.
Imperva’s tools are trusted by enterprises to secure their most confidential databases, ensuring compliance and top-notch protection.
5. ESET
ESET, a well-known name in cybersecurity, offers an enterprise-grade security solution that includes powerful data encryption tools. Famous for its malware protection, ESET combines endpoint security with encryption to safeguard sensitive information.
Key features:
- Endpoint encryption: Ensures data remains protected even if devices are lost or stolen.
- Multi-platform support: Works across Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.
- Proactive threat detection: Combines AI and machine learning to detect potential threats before they strike.
- Ease of use: User-friendly dashboards enable intuitive management of security policies.
ESET provides an all-in-one solution for companies needing endpoint protection, encryption, and proactive threat management.
6. SQL Secure
Aimed at database administrators, SQL Secure delivers specialised tools to safeguard SQL Server environments. It allows for detailed role-based analysis, helping organisations improve their database security posture and prevent data leaks.
Key features:
- Role analysis: Identifies and mitigates excessive or unauthorised permission assignments.
- Dynamic data masking: Protects sensitive data by obscuring it in real-time in applications and queries.
- Customisable alerts: Notify teams of improper database access or policy violations immediately.
- Regulatory compliance: Predefined policies make it easy to align with GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and other regulations.
SQL Secure is a tailored solution for businesses dependent on SQL databases, providing immediate insights and action plans for tighter security.
7. Acra
Acra is a modern, developer-friendly cryptographic tool engineered for data encryption and secure data lifecycle management. It brings cryptography closer to applications, ensuring deep-rooted data protection at every level.
Key features:
- Application-level encryption: Empowers developers to integrate customised encryption policies directly into their apps.
- Intrusion detection: Monitors for data leaks with a robust intrusion detection mechanism.
- End-to-end data security: Protect data at rest, in transit, and in use, making it more versatile than traditional encryption tools.
- Open source availability: Trusted by developers thanks to its open-source model, offering transparency and flexibility.
Acra is particularly popular with startups and tech-savvy enterprises needing a lightweight, developer-first approach to securing application data.
8. BigID
BigID focuses on privacy, data discovery, and compliance by using AI to identify sensitive data across structured and unstructured environments. Known for its data intelligence capabilities, BigID is one of the most comprehensive platforms for analysing and protecting enterprise data.
Key Features:
- Data discovery: Automatically classify sensitive data like PII (Personally Identifiable Information) and PHI (Protected Health Information).
- Privacy-by-design: Built to streamline compliance with global privacy laws like GDPR, CCPA, and more.
- Risk management: Assess data risks and prioritise actions based on importance.
- Integrations: Easily integrates with other security platforms and cloud providers for a unified approach.
BigID excels at uncovering hidden risks and ensuring compliance, making it an essential tool for data-driven enterprises.
9. DataSunrise Database Security
DataSunrise specialises in database firewall protection and intrusion detection for a variety of databases, including SQL-based platforms, NoSQL setups, and cloud-hosted solutions. It focuses on safeguarding sensitive data while providing robust real-time monitoring.
Key features:
- Database firewall: Blocks unauthorised access attempts with role-specific policies.
- Sensitive data discovery: Identifies risky data in your database for preventative action.
- Audit reporting: Generate detailed investigative reports about database activity.
- Cross-platform compatibility: Works with MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Amazon Aurora, Snowflake, and more.
DataSunrise is highly configurable and scalable, making it a solid choice for organisations running diverse database environments.
10. Covax Polymer
Covax Polymer is an innovative data security platform dedicated to governing sensitive data use in cloud-based collaboration tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace. It’s perfect for businesses that rely on SaaS applications for productivity.
Key features:
- Real-time governance: Monitors and protects data transfers occurring across cloud collaboration tools.
- Context-aware decisions: Evaluates interactions to identify potential risks, ensuring real-time security responses.
- Data loss prevention (DLP): Prevents sensitive information from being shared outside approved networks.
- Comprehensive reporting: Tracks and analyses data sharing trends, offering actionable insights for compliance.
Covax Polymer addresses the growing need for securing communications and shared data in collaborative workspaces.
(Image source: Unsplash)