# SUSAN Automated Data Discovery, Inventory and Classification Canonical URL: https://srql.com/services/susan-data-inventory-classification/ ## [SUSAN Automated Data Discovery, Inventory and Classification](https://srql.com/services/susan/) SUSAN helps organizations automatically discover, inventory and classify personal, sensitive and business-critical information across connected organizational data sources. Support includes databases, object storage, file shares, SaaS applications, APIs and endpoints. Discovery can operate on a scheduled or continuous basis to help teams maintain visibility as data changes. SUSAN combines Data Discovery and Classification with ownership, processing purpose, retention, risk, DPDP/GDPR requirements and supporting evidence, helping privacy, security and GRC teams maintain structured and audit-ready data visibility. ## What Is SUSAN Data Discovery, Inventory and Classification? SUSAN Data Discovery, Inventory and Classification is a SUSAN capability for identifying, organizing and governing data across connected organizational environments. **It supports:** Automated Data Discovery Data inventory Automated Data Classification Data ownership Processing purpose Role-based access visibility Retention Data location Risk visibility Encryption visibility Audit readiness DPDP and GDPR mapping Scheduled and continuous discovery Supporting evidence Data inventory records can also be maintained manually in SUSAN. Where customers require integration with their systems, API-based integration can be provided. ## Automated Data Discovery Organizations cannot protect or govern information they cannot identify.SUSAN supports automated discovery from connected organizational data sources, helping teams identify data across distributed technology environments. **Connected data sources can include:** Databases Object storage File shares SaaS applications APIs Endpoints Discovery can operate on a **scheduled or continuous basis**, helping organizations monitor connected sources periodically or continuously for new or changed data. This reduces dependence on static spreadsheets and periodic inventory exercises while improving visibility into information distributed across the organization. ## Automated Data Classification After discovery, SUSAN classifies data using predefined data categories and sensitivity levels. **SUSAN identifies:** Personal information Sensitive information Business-critical information Classification provides privacy, security and compliance teams with a structured view of what information exists and how it should be governed. **Data classification can support decisions related to:** Access control Retention Encryption Data protection Privacy compliance Risk management Audit evidence ## Why Data Discovery and Inventory Matter Data may be distributed across databases, cloud environments, applications, SaaS platforms, APIs, endpoints and third parties. **Without structured discovery and inventory, organizations may face:** Unknown personal data locations Incomplete visibility into sensitive information Delayed Data Principal or data subject responses Unclear processing purposes Untracked retention requirements Weak privacy evidence Limited risk visibility Cross-border transfer uncertainty Missing data ownership Audit readiness gaps SUSAN helps establish centralized visibility so privacy, security and GRC teams can understand what data exists and how it is governed. ## Data Inventory and Governance Mapping SUSAN goes beyond identifying data by connecting discovered and classified information with governance context. **Data can be mapped to:** Data owner Processing purpose Retention requirements Risk DPDP requirements GDPR requirements Supporting evidence This helps organizations connect Data Discovery and Classification with privacy operations, risk management, compliance monitoring and audit readiness. ## Data Inventory Fields **SUSAN can help teams maintain structured information including:** Data type Data classification Sensitivity level Owner Processing purpose Retention Data location Risk Encryption at rest visibility Encryption in transit visibility Role-based access visibility Compliance references Supporting evidence These attributes help privacy, security and GRC teams understand what information exists, why it is processed, who is responsible for it and what controls apply. ## Ownership and Accountability Data inventory is not only a technical activity. Data should have clear business and governance accountability. **Ownership helps organizations answer:** Who is responsible for the data? Who confirms retention? Who reviews access? Who confirms its processing purpose? Who responds to privacy requests? Who provides evidence during audits? Who is responsible for remediation when risks are identified? Clear ownership strengthens accountability across privacy, security and compliance operations. ## Purpose and Retention Visibility Organizations need to understand why information is processed and how long it should be retained. **SUSAN helps teams connect data with:** Processing purpose Business requirements Retention requirements Deletion expectations Risk DPDP/GDPR requirements Supporting evidence This provides stronger visibility for privacy governance, retention management and compliance reviews. ## Location and Data Distribution Visibility Data may exist across multiple systems and technology environments. **SUSAN helps organizations maintain visibility into where information exists across connected sources, including:** Databases Object storage File shares SaaS applications APIs Endpoints This can help teams understand data distribution and identify where additional privacy, security or governance review may be required. ## Encryption and Access Visibility Data governance should connect privacy information with relevant security controls. **SUSAN supports visibility into:** Encryption at rest Encryption in transit Role-based access Access ownership Sensitive information handling Supporting security evidence This helps connect data inventory with cybersecurity and compliance assurance. ## Data Discovery and Classification Control Map Data Governance Area Common Problem SUSAN Support Data Discovery Teams do not know where information exists Discover data from connected organizational data sources Classification Sensitive information is not consistently classified Classify data using predefined categories and sensitivity levels Ownership No clear accountability Map data to ownership Purpose Processing purpose is unclear Connect data with processing purpose Retention Retention requirements are fragmented Map data to retention requirements Risk Sensitive data risks are difficult to prioritize Connect data with risk Privacy Compliance DPDP/GDPR context is fragmented Map data with DPDP/GDPR requirements Evidence Supporting evidence is difficult to organize Connect relevant evidence with data records Continuous Visibility Inventory becomes outdated Support scheduled and continuous discovery ## How SUSAN Supports DPDP and GDPR Readiness DPDP and GDPR readiness require organizations to understand what personal data they process and how it is governed. **SUSAN helps teams maintain visibility into:** What personal and sensitive information exists Where it is located How it is classified Why it is processed Who owns it How long it is retained What risks are associated with it Which DPDP/GDPR requirements apply What supporting evidence is available This supports privacy governance, Data Principal and data subject request readiness, compliance assessments and audit preparation. ## Manual and API-Based Inventory Management Automated discovery is not the only way to maintain data inventory in SUSAN. Organizations can also maintain inventory records manually. Where customers require integration with their existing systems, SUSAN supports API-based integration so relevant inventory and governance information can be exchanged with customer environments. This provides flexibility for organizations with different technology architectures and data governance models. ## How This Connects with Other SUSAN Capabilities SUSAN Data Discovery, Inventory and Classification connects data visibility with broader cybersecurity, privacy and GRC operations. **Related SUSAN capabilities include:** SUSAN DPDP Compliance Global Compliance & Trust Third-Party Risk Unified GRC Dashboard AI Risk Scoring Asset Inventory Continuous Monitoring & Evidence Cloud Security Validation **Together, these capabilities help connect:** Data Discovery Data Classification Ownership Privacy evidence Consent and purpose Retention and deletion Risk Compliance mapping Continuous Assurance ## Who Uses SUSAN Data Discovery and Classification? **This capability supports teams responsible for privacy, security, data protection and compliance, including:** Privacy teams DPOs Data owners GRC teams Compliance managers Security teams Risk managers Audit teams Cloud security teams Executive leadership ## Data Discovery and Classification Readiness Checklist Use this checklist to assess your current data visibility: - Do you know where personal information exists? - Do you know where sensitive information exists? - Are connected data sources regularly reviewed? - Is new or changed data discovered periodically or continuously? - Is information classified by category and sensitivity? - Are data owners assigned? - Is processing purpose documented? - Are retention requirements mapped? - Is data location visible? - Are risks connected to sensitive information? - Are DPDP/GDPR requirements mapped? - Is supporting evidence available? - Can privacy and audit teams retrieve this information efficiently? If several answers are no, your organization may need stronger Data Discovery, Inventory and Classification capabilities. ## FAQ ##### Most frequent questions and answers ** ** Does SUSAN automatically discover data? Yes. SUSAN automatically discovers data from connected organizational data sources. ** ** What data sources can SUSAN discover data from? SUSAN supports connected organizational data sources including databases, object storage, file shares, SaaS applications, APIs and endpoints. ** ** Does SUSAN support scheduled and continuous Data Discovery? Yes. SUSAN supports both scheduled and continuous Data Discovery, allowing connected data sources to be monitored periodically or continuously for new or changed data. ** ** Does SUSAN automatically classify discovered data? Yes. SUSAN classifies discovered data based on predefined data categories and sensitivity levels. ** ** What types of information can SUSAN identify? SUSAN identifies personal, sensitive and business-critical information. ** ** Can data inventory records be maintained manually? Yes. Data inventory records can also be maintained manually in SUSAN. ** ** Does SUSAN support API integration? Yes. API-based integration with customer systems can be provided where required. ** ** How does SUSAN connect Data Discovery with privacy and compliance? SUSAN can map discovered and classified data with ownership, processing purpose, retention, risk, DPDP/GDPR requirements and supporting evidence. ** ** How does Data Discovery support DPDP and GDPR readiness? Data Discovery helps organizations understand what personal and sensitive information exists, where it is located, why it is processed, who owns it, how long it should be retained and which privacy requirements apply. ** ** Does SUSAN require organizations to rely only on automated discovery? No. SUSAN supports automated discovery while also allowing manual inventory maintenance and API-based integration where required. ##### Strengthen Data Visibility with SUSAN Move from fragmented data inventories to structured Data Discovery and Classification connected with privacy, cybersecurity, risk and compliance. Use SUSAN to improve visibility into personal, sensitive and business-critical information while connecting data with ownership, purpose, retention, risk, DPDP/GDPR requirements and evidence. [Try SUSAN](http://scpauth.servqualit.com/) [Book a Discovery Workshop](https://srql.com/contact/)