What is PII Scanning? 🤔
PII scanning, or Personally Identifiable Information scanning, refers to systematically searching for and identifying sensitive information that can be used to identify individuals personally.
PII includes any data linked to a specific person, making it sensitive and subject to privacy and security regulations.
Personally identifiable information (PII) includes sensitive information such as full name, social security number, bank account number, and email address.
The global PII Scan view is built into two main views: Scan Profile and Scan Results.
PII Profile
This is where you can configure ConnectSecure agents to scan for PII, set scan criteria, and determine file types to be scanned.
Global PII Profile - Overview
You can Add, Edit, Delete, or Scan the PII Profiles using the three dot-Action menu and the Add button.
Global PII Profile - Action Toolbar Overview
Global PII Profile - Actions
Add Scan Profile
Tap on the ‘Add Scan Profile’ button to get started.
You will then have to complete the required fields for the PII scanning parameters, which include:
Name
Give the PII scanning profile a name.
Scan Type
Select the type of PII data you want to scan for with this profile. Data types include the following.
Bank Account Number | IP Address |
Credit Card | MAC Address |
Date of Birth | OAuth Token |
Driving License | Phone |
Social Security Number |
ConnectSecure will detect American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, Atos Private Label, Aura, UnionPay, JCB, Fuel Card and Cirrus.
ConnectSecure will not detect these cards due to spaces or gaps in some cases: Maestro, Dankort, Eftpos, Hipercard, Vpay, Visa_dankort, Uk Fuel Card, Troy, Sodexo, and Cabal.
Default Extension Type
By default, the PII scan will scan the following extension types.
Extension | Description |
|---|---|
.txt | Text file |
.zip | ZIP archive file |
Portable Document Format file | |
.xls | Microsoft Excel spreadsheet file (older format) |
.xlsx | Microsoft Excel spreadsheet file (newer format) |
.doc | Microsoft Word document file (older format) |
.docx | Microsoft Word document file (newer format) |
Allowed Extension Type
We can use these additional, optional, and permitted extension types to search for personally identifiable information (PII).
Extension | Description |
|---|---|
.c | C source code file |
.cpp | C++ source code file |
.go | Go source code file |
.html | Hypertext Markup Language file |
.js | JavaScript file |
.json | JavaScript Object Notation file |
.php | PHP script file |
.sh | Shell script file |
.tex | LaTeX document file |
.ts | TypeScript source code file |
.wpd | WordPerfect document file |
.xlsm | Microsoft Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook file |
.xml | eXtensible Markup Language file |
.yaml/.yml | YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) file |
Choose Company
Select a company from the drop-down menu to associate with the scan profile.
Choose Agent
Select an agent from the drop-down menu to associate with the scan profile.
Source Type
Files will be auto-selected for you; there are currently no other choices.
Path Settings
Define the included and/or excluded path locations that the scanning parameters. This can include wildcard locations using the '*' when searching. You can add as many locations as needed or search the entire storage/partition.
Path Settings Examples
Windows = C:\Windows (Windows Explorer file path)
MAC = .\ (for home directory)
Initiate Scan
Select one of the configured options to initiate a PII scan and tap the initiate scan icon.
Once the scan is started, you can track the scan progress and status by clicking on the Jobs icon.
Tap on the date/time stamp column to see the details further.
See the timeline-style details of the job as it is being processed.
Edit Scan Profile
To edit an existing scan profile, select one of the configured options.
After making any necessary changes to the scan profile, tap Save. If you don't need to make any changes, click the Cancel button to exit.
Delete Scan Profile
Select a record and tap the Remove Profile icon to remove an existing scan profile.
You will be prompted to confirm the action of removing the profile. Tap Yes to remove; otherwise, click Cancel to back out and keep the profile.
Jobs
Tap the jobs section to see the progress and status of the PII scanning.
PII Results
What are PII Scan Results? 🤔
This is where you can view the results of your PII scans. Before viewing any results, you must configure a PII Scan. You can use the three-dot Action menu or Global Actions to delete results.
Global PII Results - Overview
Here, you can view your PII scan(s) results. These fields include Status, PII Data Type, Source Type, Total Machines, File Path, and Input URL.
You will also find standard filtering and searching options.
Global PII Results - Details
You can click on the PII Data column to see details of the PII data identified.
Global PII Results - Action Toolbar Overview
The standard Alerts and Info features can only be accessed from the side navigation toolbar actions.
Need Support?
You can access our support portal anytime to create, view, and update tickets.
https://cybercns.freshdesk.com
Click below to be directed to our secure support portal or email support@connectsecure.com to open a ticket.
