Sentra adds on-premises AI data scanning for hybrid security
Sentra has expanded its Data Security Platform by introducing on-premises scanners designed to provide AI-powered data discovery and classification in hybrid and private environments.
This latest release enables organisations to scan and classify data stored in traditional file share environments, including NetApp ONTAP, Windows Servers, and Unix systems, using standard protocols such as SMB and NFS. The new capability also covers over a dozen enterprise databases, including Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and MySQL.
Broader reach
Until now, Sentra's platform was focused on providing data security within cloud environments. With the addition of on-premises scanning, organisations managing regulated or AI-sensitive data in hybrid infrastructures can now access unified visibility and governance across both cloud and on-premises resources.
The company's AI-powered classification and governance engine is now deployable in settings that require onsite data processing, giving organisations increased flexibility over the protection of both structured and unstructured data.
Unifying security
Among the new features, organisations are able to discover and classify sensitive data across file shares and enterprise databases, leveraging the same AI-driven classification accuracy provided by Sentra's cloud offering.
The platform is also intended to detect and prevent the exposure of sensitive data as it moves between on-premises and cloud-based repositories. This is designed to address an increasing concern among enterprises over data exposure risks associated with generative AI platforms, copilots, and AI agents.
Another stated advantage is strengthened adherence to industry and government compliance frameworks, allowing companies handling regulated data to maintain compliance across disparate data storage environments.
Channel opportunities
Sentra's new offering also impacts channel partners, enabling them to deliver hybrid data security solutions tailored to diverse customer environments. Partners can utilise a single platform to provide consistency in visibility, classification, and governance for clients operating in the cloud, on-premises, or hybrid scenarios.
"Organisations shouldn't have to compromise on data security just because their sensitive information lives in different places," said Yair Cohen, VP Product and Co-Founder of Sentra. "With our new on-premises scanners, customers gain unmatched flexibility to secure structured and unstructured data wherever it resides, whether in the cloud, hybrid, or private - while partners can unlock new revenue streams delivering the most comprehensive data security platform on the market."
Data management challenges
This development is in response to the complex data management challenges organisations face as they increasingly adopt multi-cloud and hybrid architectures. Enterprises in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which are often subject to strict regulatory demands, require actionable oversight and control over where sensitive data resides and how it is accessed or exposed.
The integration of on-premises scanning into Sentra's platform means that data protection practices can now be standardised regardless of whether information is stored in the cloud or on-premises resources. Automated discovery, classification, and governance functions are performed without moving data outside of the organisation's environment, addressing common concerns about privacy and security during data processing.
Looking ahead
The release of the on-premises scanners signals a shift in Sentra's approach to data security by reinforcing support for hybrid and private infrastructures. This aligns with the trend of organisations seeking to maintain flexibility and control over their information assets whilst leveraging cloud capabilities. Channel partners now have the opportunity to deliver services to clients with mixed environments, responding to customer demand for comprehensive data security solutions.
