Most data tools scan fast. Few scan right.
In the world of data lifecycle management, surface-level scans are not enough. When it comes to identifying what to retain, archive, or delete, depth matters. Fidelity matters. Skipping data is not a shortcut — it’s a liability.
BigID is the first and only platform that delivers full-content scanning across all data types, without skipping large files, ignoring archives, or breaking metadata.
Why “Smart Samples” Aren’t Smart
Some platforms advertise “smart” scanning — fast assessments that analyze a handful of records or sample portions of a folder. These tools often skip:
- Large files like zip archives and video logs
- Older data that is still sensitive or regulated
- Semi-structured sources that require deeper parsing
This approach works for high-level inventory. But it falls apart when you need to make defensible decisions around deletion or compliance.
In contrast, BigID offers full-fidelity scanning by default. It gives security, privacy, and governance teams a complete view — not just a statistical guess.
What Depth Really Means in Practice
A retention or deletion decision is only as good as the scan behind it. If your platform skips critical files or fails to analyze sensitive content, you risk:
- Deleting records that are still under legal hold
- Retaining sensitive data past its expiration
- Breaking dependencies in applications
- Misreporting data handling during audits
BigID avoids all of it.
With no skipped files, no truncated content, and no overwritten metadata, BigID is the only tool that lets you act with accuracy and confidence.
Why Metadata Integrity Matters
Some scanning tools overwrite the very metadata your retention policies rely on. A file’s “last modified” timestamp may be critical for triggering archival or deletion — but when that timestamp changes due to a shallow scan, it breaks the policy logic.
BigID preserves critical metadata during every scan, ensuring that your retention schedules continue to function as intended.
Full-Fidelity Scanning Across the Data Landscape
BigID scans it all:
- Structured sources like Snowflake, Redshift, SQL Server, SAP
- Unstructured files across cloud and on-prem
- Semi-structured data in S3, data lakes, and email archives
Whether you’re identifying ROT, preparing for a deletion request, or validating compliance, BigID gives you the full picture — not a filtered snapshot.
Skimming Isn’t Strategy
Enterprise data isn’t just growing — it’s diversifying. That means you can’t afford to miss parts of the picture. Decisions around deletion, archival, and minimization require context. And context requires scanning that goes deep and wide.
Only BigID offers the fidelity, accuracy, and breadth to make data lifecycle decisions reliable and repeatable.
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