Tool Overview:
Egnyte

About Egnyte

Egnyte provides a unified platform for content collaboration, security, privacy, and compliance. The platform serves enterprises needing to manage, secure, and govern their data across multiple storage locations, including Microsoft 365, Google Workspaces, and on-premises file servers. The system employs AI-driven classification to identify sensitive content and automate security controls.

What does Egnyte do?

Egnyte combines file sharing capabilities with comprehensive data governance features. The platform automatically discovers and classifies sensitive information using over 500 built-in patterns, ranging from bank account numbers to medical procedure codes. Upon identifying sensitive data, Egnyte applies appropriate controls to restrict access and prevent unauthorized sharing. The system includes features for e-signatures, workflow automation, and secure external collaboration.

The platform's security framework encompasses multiple layers of protection. It includes anomaly detection to identify unusual file access patterns, malware scanning for uploaded files, and ransomware protection through file entropy monitoring. For regulated industries, Egnyte maintains various certifications including ISO 27001:2013, SOC 2 Type 2, and supports compliance with frameworks like HIPAA, GDPR, and CMMC 2.0.

Data governance capabilities extend across hybrid environments, allowing organizations to maintain control whether their data resides in the cloud or on-premises. The platform provides granular permissions management, audit trails, and automated policy enforcement. For European customers, Egnyte ensures data sovereignty by storing all customer data and metadata exclusively within European-based cloud repositories.

What makes Egnyte different?

A distinctive aspect of Egnyte is its hybrid architecture approach. Unlike purely cloud-based solutions, Egnyte allows organizations to maintain data in multiple environments while providing unified governance. This flexibility has made it particularly relevant for organizations in highly regulated industries such as financial services, healthcare, and government contractors.

The platform's automated classification engine sets it apart from systems requiring manual data classification. Rather than relying on user-driven classification, which can be error-prone and incomplete, Egnyte's AI-powered system continuously scans content across repositories to identify and protect sensitive information. This automation helps address the scalability challenges associated with manual classification processes.

Use cases and industries

Egnyte serves various sectors with specific regulatory requirements. In life sciences, it provides specialized features meeting 21 CFR Part 11 and Annex 11 requirements. For government contractors, it offers a secure enclave for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) with built-in workflows to expedite CMMC certification requirements. Financial services firms use the platform to maintain compliance with SEC and FINRA regulations.

The platform addresses multiple user roles within organizations. IT administrators use it to optimize storage and reduce costs while maintaining security controls. Legal departments employ it for compliance monitoring and policy enforcement. Security teams utilize its anomaly detection and access control features. Knowledge workers across departments benefit from its file sharing and collaboration capabilities, with studies indicating an average time savings of three hours per week in finding and accessing content.