PKWARE - Detailed Review
Privacy Tools
PKWARE - Detailed Review Contents
Add a header to begin generating the table of contents
PKWARE - Product Overview
PKWARE Overview
PKWARE is a leading provider of enterprise data security solutions, particularly focused on protecting sensitive data across various environments. Here’s a brief overview of their primary function, target audience, and key features:Primary Function
PKWARE’s main product, PK Protect, is an end-to-end data security solution designed to discover, classify, encrypt, mask, and remediate sensitive data. This data-centric approach ensures that sensitive data is protected wherever it is stored, used, or shared, without compromising productivity.Target Audience
PKWARE’s solutions are primarily targeted at large and medium-sized organizations, especially those in industries such as Information Technology and Services, Financial Services, Computer Software, and Insurance. These companies typically have over 10,000 employees and revenues exceeding $1 billion.Key Features
Data Discovery
PK Protect automatically locates, identifies, counts, and reports all sensitive data across various environments, including endpoints, cloud storage, databases, mainframes, and data lakes.Data Classification
The platform categorizes data based on its sensitivity and impact on the organization, helping to ensure that data is handled, stored, and secured appropriately.Data Encryption
PK Protect encrypts sensitive data, converting it into an unreadable format that can only be decrypted by authorized individuals. This includes persistent encryption capabilities for IBM Systems.Data Masking and Redaction
The solution irreversibly protects static and dynamic data from being revealed and misused, and permanently removes sensitive information from text, images, and files.Endpoint and Mainframe Protection
PK Protect includes specific solutions like PK Protect Endpoint Manager for securing data on endpoints (smartphones, tablets, laptops, servers) and PK Protect for z/OS for protecting sensitive data on mainframes using data definitions and copybooks.Email Security
The platform secures email communications by automatically discovering and protecting sensitive data within emails.Compliance and Breach Response
PK Protect helps organizations meet compliance requirements and respond quickly to data breaches, ensuring that sensitive data remains unusable in the event of a breach. PKWARE’s solutions are designed to provide comprehensive and seamless data security, ensuring that organizations can protect their sensitive data without disrupting their operations. PKWARE - User Interface and Experience
Ease of Use
PKWARE’s products, such as PK Protect, are designed to be user-friendly and efficient. For instance, the application UI is described as “user-friendly” by customers, such as Great Eastern Assurance, who mention that the development effort is “almost seamless” and that configurations and task creations are “very easy” to manage.User Experience
The overall user experience is enhanced by the intuitive nature of the tools. PK Protect offers extensive reporting functionality, including dashboards, access monitoring, and auditing, which helps users to easily manage and monitor their data security.Centralized Management
PKWARE’s solutions allow for centralized policy management, which means that changes to policies can be propagated quickly to all endpoints or data sources. This central management capability simplifies the process of maintaining data security across an organization, making it easier for users to manage their data protection policies.Automation
The tools are automated to a significant extent, which enhances the user experience. For example, PK Protect can automatically discover and protect sensitive data, encrypt data, mask data, and even secure email communications without manual intervention. This automation reduces the workload on users and ensures that data is continuously protected.Comprehensive Capabilities
PKWARE’s products provide a wide range of capabilities, including data discovery, classification, encryption, masking, and redaction. These features are integrated into a single tool, making it easier for users to manage all aspects of their data security from one interface. While the sources do not provide a detailed visual description of the user interface, they emphasize the ease of use, automation, and comprehensive nature of PKWARE’s tools, which collectively contribute to a positive user experience. PKWARE - Key Features and Functionality
PKWARE Privacy and Data Protection Tools
PK Protect and PK Privacy solutions offer a range of key features that are crucial for managing and securing sensitive data. Here’s a breakdown of these features and how they work:
Data Discovery
PKWARE’s data discovery capability is a foundational feature that locates, identifies, counts, and reports all sensitive data across various environments, including endpoints, cloud storage, databases, mainframes, and servers. This function uses machine learning to uncover hidden data, even in semantically ambiguous contexts, ensuring that all sensitive information is accounted for.
Data Classification
Data classification is essential for categorizing data based on its sensitivity. PK Protect allows organizations to label and secure data according to predefined policies, ensuring that the data is handled, stored, and secured appropriately. This classification helps in prioritizing the protection of critical data.
Data Encryption
PKWARE’s encryption feature converts sensitive data into an unreadable and unusable format, ensuring that only those with proper access can decrypt it. This encryption is applied whether the data is at rest, in use, or in motion, providing comprehensive protection against unauthorized access.
Data Masking
Data masking irreversibly protects sensitive data by hiding or obscuring it, making it unusable even if accessed by unauthorized parties. This feature is particularly useful for protecting static or moving data, ensuring it cannot be revealed or misused.
Data Redaction
PKWARE’s data redaction feature permanently removes sensitive information from text, images, and files. This ensures that even if data is accessed, the sensitive parts are completely removed, preventing any potential misuse.
Email Security
The email security feature automatically discovers and protects sensitive data within email communications. This ensures that emails containing sensitive information are secured, reducing the risk of data breaches through email channels.
Automated Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Protection
PKWARE’s tools, such as PK Privacy, automate the discovery and protection of PII. Once identified, the data can be automatically encrypted, masked, redacted, deleted, or otherwise remediated to ensure compliance with privacy regulations.
Real-Time Privacy Enforcement
PKWARE’s solutions provide real-time monitoring and enforcement of privacy policies. This ensures that sensitive data is continuously protected and that any breaches or violations are detected and acted upon immediately.
AI Integration
The integration of AI, particularly through machine learning, enhances the data discovery process. AI helps uncover hidden data that may be semantically ambiguous, whether on-premises or in the cloud. This AI-driven approach accelerates the discovery process and improves the accuracy of identifying sensitive data.
Compliance and Regulatory Management
PKWARE’s tools are designed to help organizations meet various compliance requirements, such as managing data subject access requests (DSARs) and ensuring compliance with global privacy regulations. The integration with TrustArc’s platform further enhances these capabilities by automating data mapping, data flow, and individual rights management.
These features collectively ensure that sensitive data is accurately discovered, classified, and protected across all environments within an organization, minimizing the risk of data breaches and ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.
PKWARE - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
PKWARE’s solutions are designed to provide high-performance data protection and discovery. Here are some performance-related aspects:Automated Solutions
PKWARE offers fully automated data discovery and protection solutions, which significantly improve the speed and accuracy of data handling. For instance, in the case of a global biotech company, PKWARE automated the process of data ingestion and protection, making it rapid and accurate compared to manual processes.Real-Time Protection
PKWARE ensures continuous protection of sensitive data, whether it is at rest, in use, or in motion. This real-time protection helps maintain data security without compromising productivity.Scalability
PKWARE’s solutions are scalable and can handle large volumes of data. The biotech company case study shows that PKWARE successfully managed data from various sources, including JSON and CSV files, and integrated with AWS and other systems.Accuracy
Accuracy is a critical component of PKWARE’s data protection solutions:Minimizing False Positives
PKWARE’s solutions are designed to minimize false positives and false negatives. The biotech company case study highlights that PKWARE fine-tuned rules to capture specific elements accurately, resulting in no false positives or negatives.Data Classification and Masking
PKWARE accurately discovers and classifies data based on predefined policies, ensuring that sensitive information is properly identified and protected. This includes data masking and redaction capabilities to irreversibly protect sensitive data.Compliance
PKWARE’s solutions ensure compliance with various data protection regulations by accurately identifying and securing sensitive data such as PHI (Protected Health Information) and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) data.Limitations or Areas for Improvement
While PKWARE’s solutions are highly effective, there are a few areas to consider:Customization
While PKWARE offers flexible policy creation and custom rules, the process of fine-tuning these rules can be time-consuming and may require significant resources, especially for unique or complex data environments.Integration
Although PKWARE integrates well with various systems like AWS, the integration process might require additional steps and testing, as seen in the biotech company case study where an additional solution provider was involved. In summary, PKWARE’s performance and accuracy in the AI-driven privacy tools category are strong, with a focus on automation, real-time protection, and high accuracy in data discovery and classification. However, the customization and integration processes may require some additional effort and resources. PKWARE - Pricing and Plans
PKWARE Data Security and Compression Products
PKWARE offers a variety of data security and compression products, each with its own pricing structure and features. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:
PKZIP and SecureZIP
- PKZIP Standard Edition for Windows Desktop: This plan is priced at $39.88 for the license, with a maintenance fee of $7.98.
- Features include efficient data compression, reducing file sizes by up to 90%.
- This edition is suitable for basic compression needs.
- SecureZIP Standard Edition for Windows Desktop: Priced at $54.93 for the license, with a maintenance fee of $10.99.
- This plan includes file-level security, flexible protection, and compression capabilities, reducing file sizes by up to 95%.
- It supports X.509 and OpenPGP encryption.
- SecureZIP Enterprise Edition for Windows Desktop and SecureZIP for Mac OS X: Both are priced at $82.43 for the license, with a maintenance fee of $16.49.
- These editions offer advanced security features, including more comprehensive encryption and compliance support.
PK Protect Data Protection Platform
- PK Protect offers several solutions, but the pricing for these is not publicly listed. You need to contact PKWARE directly for licensing and maintenance costs.
- Features include end-to-end data discovery and protection across various data formats and environments (endpoints, cloud, mainframes).
- Specific solutions like PK Protect for z/OS, PK Protect Endpoint Manager, and PK Protect Data Store Manager are available, each addressing different aspects of data security.
Free Options
- ZIP Reader: This is a free tool available for both individuals and commercial use. It allows users to open and decrypt ZIP files, including those protected by passphrases and digital encryption. It is available for Windows, iOS, and Android.
Other Products
- SmartCrypt: Pricing for SmartCrypt user licenses, server licenses, and SDKs is not publicly available and requires direct contact with PKWARE.
In summary, PKWARE’s pricing varies widely depending on the specific product and the level of security and compression features required. For detailed pricing on some of the more advanced products like PK Protect and SmartCrypt, you will need to contact PKWARE directly. However, basic compression and security tools like PKZIP and SecureZIP have listed prices, and the ZIP Reader is available for free.
PKWARE - Integration and Compatibility
Integration with Other Tools
PKWARE’s solutions are designed to integrate with several key systems and services:Individual Rights Manager (IRM) and Data Discovery
PKWARE can be integrated with IRM to automate the process of finding and attaching data for specific Data Subjects, which is particularly useful for Data Subject Requests (DSRs). This integration allows for automatic data searches and attachment of findings in CSV and PDF formats.Microsoft Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)
PKWARE has integrated Azure AD authentication into its endpoint data security platform. This integration ensures secure authentication for administrators and client systems, enhancing the management of user access and the delivery of protection policies, encryption keys, and operational instructions.Microsoft Technologies
PKWARE supports various Microsoft technologies, including Double Key Encryption (DKE), Microsoft Purview Information Protection, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Outlook. These integrations facilitate comprehensive data security across different Microsoft environments.Cross-Platform Compatibility
PKWARE’s solutions are highly compatible across various platforms:PK Encrypt
This encryption solution is part of PKWARE’s comprehensive encryption suite and is designed to secure data across all platforms, ensuring that sensitive data remains encrypted regardless of its state or location.PKZIP / SecureZIP Toolkit
This toolkit is available for multiple platforms, including those supporting Java 6 or newer. It can be used with most programming languages, and PKWARE provides a .NET wrapper for .NET languages. The toolkit is also 64-bit compatible, although some configurations may require adjustments.Seamless Integration
PKWARE’s products are built to integrate seamlessly with existing systems:API Integration
For example, when using the IRM integration, PKWARE sends API requests to search for data for the data subject, and any returned data is logged and attached to the request.Flexible Encryption Options
PKWARE’s encryption solutions, such as PK Encrypt, offer flexible encryption options that can be adapted to different security needs and compliance requirements. In summary, PKWARE’s integration capabilities and cross-platform compatibility make it a versatile and reliable choice for organizations seeking to enhance their data security and compliance measures. PKWARE - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support Options
For technical support, users can contact PKWARE through various channels:
Phone Support
You can reach PKWARE’s technical support by calling 937-847-2687 and selecting option 2 for PartnerLink® Support.
Online Support
You can submit your technical support requests online through the PKWARE support website at support.pkware.com.
Support is available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM Eastern Time Zone.
Additional Resources
PKWARE provides a range of resources to help users manage and protect their data effectively:
Support Center
The support center offers various resources, including product documentation, technical support services, and contact forms.
Product Documentation
Detailed documentation is available for PKWARE’s products, such as PK Protect, SecureZIP, and PKZIP, to help users understand and use the software efficiently.
Webinars and Blogs
PKWARE hosts webinars and publishes blog posts on topics like protecting healthcare data, sensitive data discovery, and data security checklists. These resources provide valuable insights and best practices for data protection.
Whitepapers
Comprehensive whitepapers are available, offering in-depth guides on complete data visibility and other relevant topics.
These resources are designed to help users get the most out of PKWARE’s products and ensure their data is securely protected. If you have specific questions or need further assistance, the support team is available to help.
PKWARE - Pros and Cons
Advantages of PKWARE in the Privacy Tools and Data Security Category
PKWARE offers several significant advantages that make it a strong contender in the data security and privacy tools category:Comprehensive Data Discovery
PKWARE’s data discovery tool, such as DG Discovery and PK Protect, can locate and identify sensitive data across various environments, including endpoints, cloud servers, databases, and mainframes. This capability helps organizations uncover hidden data that may be semantically ambiguous, reducing the risk of data breaches and non-compliance.Automated Data Protection
PKWARE’s solutions automate the process of encrypting, classifying, masking, and redacting sensitive data. This automation ensures that data is continuously protected without requiring significant manual intervention, thereby minimizing organizational risks and costs.Compliance and Regulatory Adherence
PKWARE’s tools are designed to help organizations comply with various regulatory requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS. The platform simplifies the process of responding to data subject access requests (DSARs) and ensures that data privacy is managed at the individual, enterprise, and data inventory levels.Multi-Environment Support
PKWARE’s solutions support a wide range of environments, including on-premises, cloud, and mainframes. This ensures that sensitive data is protected regardless of where it is stored or how it is used.User-Friendly and Scalable
The PKWARE platform is described as easy to use, with no coding required, and is scalable to handle large volumes of data. This makes it accessible to a broad range of users and organizations.Continuous Monitoring
PKWARE’s tools provide continuous monitoring of an organization’s information, ensuring that sensitive data is always protected and any security or privacy risks are promptly identified and addressed.Disadvantages of PKWARE
While PKWARE offers numerous benefits, there are some potential drawbacks to consider:Cost
Implementing a comprehensive data security solution like PKWARE can be costly. The investment in the software, training, and potential integration with existing systems may be a significant expense for some organizations.Dependence on Technology
The effectiveness of PKWARE’s solutions depends on the accuracy and reliability of its automated tools. Any technical issues or inaccuracies in data discovery and classification could lead to gaps in security and compliance.Integration Challenges
Integrating PKWARE’s solutions with existing IT infrastructure and other security tools can be complex. This may require additional resources and time to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance.Security Measures Limitations
While PKWARE employs industry-standard security measures, the company does not guarantee the absolute performance or adequacy of these measures. This means there is always a residual risk of security breaches or data misuse.User Training
Although the platform is user-friendly, there may still be a need for some training to fully leverage all the features and capabilities of PKWARE’s solutions. This can add to the overall cost and time required for implementation. In summary, PKWARE offers powerful tools for data discovery, protection, and compliance, but it also comes with potential costs, integration challenges, and the inherent risks associated with any automated security solution. PKWARE - Comparison with Competitors
Unique Features of PKWARE
PKWARE stands out with its comprehensive end-to-end data protection solution, PK Protect, which offers a range of features that set it apart:Data Discovery and Classification
PKWARE’s solution can discover data in various environments, including endpoints, cloud, databases, mainframes, and more. It categorizes data based on predefined policies to ensure security and privacy.Multi-Environment Support
PK Protect supports data protection across different platforms, such as mainframes (PK Protect for z/OS), endpoints (PK Protect Endpoint Manager), and data stores (PK Protect Data Store Manager).Advanced Security Measures
The solution includes features like data encryption, masking, and redaction, ensuring sensitive data is protected whether it is static or in motion.Email Security
PKWARE automatically discovers and protects sensitive data in email communications, adding an extra layer of security to organizational communication.Competitors and Alternatives
BigID
BigID is a significant competitor that offers a unified platform for data visibility and control. It specializes in data security, privacy, compliance, and governance, providing services such as data discovery and classification, and data security posture management. BigID’s solutions are particularly strong in industries like financial services, healthcare, and retail.Satori
Satori focuses on data security and compliance, managing access, permissions, and security for sensitive data. Its platform is designed to handle complex data environments and ensure compliance with various regulations.Privitar
Privitar provides data-privacy management solutions, enabling ethical data analysis while protecting sensitive information. Its platform is used by companies and public sector organizations to ensure data privacy and compliance.Concentric AI
Concentric AI specializes in autonomous data discovery and security posture management. It offers a range of services to enhance data security and reduce risks associated with sensitive data.Baffle
Baffle provides data protection and security services, helping organizations share sensitive data securely and comply with data privacy regulations. It is known for its ability to secure data in use, at rest, and in motion.Market Share and Customer Base
PKWARE’s market share in the data protection category is notable, though it faces competition from other players. According to market share estimates, PKWARE’s competitors include Siteimprove, Alteryx, and Arcserve, which hold significant market shares in the data protection sector.Ease of Use and Reliability
While PKWARE is known for its comprehensive features, alternatives like Keeper Password Manager, Progress MOVEit, and Virtru Email Encryption are often highlighted for their ease of use and reliability. These alternatives are particularly popular in encryption software and managed file transfer (MFT) categories.Conclusion
PKWARE’s strength lies in its all-encompassing approach to data protection, offering a wide range of features that cater to various data security needs. However, organizations may also consider alternatives like BigID, Satori, and Privitar, which offer specialized solutions in data security, compliance, and privacy management. When choosing a solution, it is crucial to evaluate factors such as ease of use, reliability, and the specific needs of your organization. PKWARE - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about PKWARE
What is PKWARE and what does it do?
PKWARE is a company that specializes in data discovery, security, and compliance solutions. Their software helps organizations locate, classify, encrypt, mask, and remediate sensitive data across various environments, including endpoints, cloud, and mainframes, to minimize organizational risks and costs.How does PKWARE’s data discovery work?
PKWARE’s data discovery capability, part of their PK Protect solution, is designed to locate, identify, count, and report all sensitive data from various data repositories and servers, whether on-premises or cloud-based. This includes discovering data in structured, unstructured, and semi-structured environments.What are the key features of PK Protect?
PK Protect offers several key features:- Data Discovery: Locates sensitive data across all environments.
- Data Classification: Categorizes data based on predefined policies to ensure security and privacy.
- Data Encryption: Converts sensitive data into an unreadable format, accessible only with proper authorization.
- Data Masking: Irreversibly protects data from being revealed and misused.
- Data Redaction: Permanently removes sensitive information from text, images, and files.
- Email Security: Secures email communication by discovering and protecting sensitive data automatically.
How does PKWARE ensure data compliance?
PKWARE’s solutions are designed to help organizations meet compliance requirements by accurately discovering and protecting sensitive data. Their software supports various compliance needs, including GDPR, and ensures that data is handled, stored, and secured according to regulatory standards.What environments does PKWARE support?
PKWARE’s solutions support a wide range of environments, including:- Endpoints (smartphones, tablets, laptops, servers)
- Cloud services
- Mainframes (with PK Protect for z/OS)
- Databases
How does PKWARE’s encryption work?
PKWARE’s encryption capability converts sensitive data into an unreadable and unusable format. Only those with the proper access can decrypt the data. This ensures that sensitive data remains secured, whether at rest, in use, or in motion.What is the difference between data masking and data redaction in PKWARE?
- Data Masking: This feature irreversibly protects data by making it unreadable, but the data is still present in the system. It is often used to protect data in non-production environments.
- Data Redaction: This feature permanently removes all or certain pieces of sensitive information from text, images, and files. It is more permanent than masking and is used when the sensitive data needs to be completely removed.
How does PKWARE ensure email security?
PKWARE’s email security feature discovers and protects sensitive data within email communications automatically. This ensures that sensitive information is not inadvertently shared or exposed through email.Can PKWARE’s solutions be integrated with existing systems?
Yes, PKWARE’s solutions are designed to integrate with various existing systems and environments. They support multiple platforms, including cloud services, mainframes, and endpoint devices, ensuring seamless integration and minimal disruption to existing workflows.What kind of support does PKWARE offer for its products?
PKWARE provides comprehensive support for its products, including resources such as datasheets, blogs, and customer testimonials. They also offer specific solutions tailored to different needs, such as PK Protect for z/OS and PK Protect Endpoint Manager.