9 Best Data-Centric Security Software I’d Rely On in 2027

“Who else can see this?” During audits, this query puts a question mark in front of IT managers and security analysts. They turn to their data-centric security software for answers. It raises a bigger question: can they trust the answers delivered? Because you need answers that you can prove. I evaluated the best data-centric security software with that in mind. I checked for capabilities that let you monitor sensitive files, their location, accessibility, and anomalies.

This list covers nine data-centric security tools from G2’s Fall 2026 Grid Report, ranked by G2 Score. Each one targets a different leak path, from everyday file shares and over-permissioned folders to files sent outside the company, data leaving laptops, and secrets hiding in code. For each tool, I share my verdict, a G2 snapshot, key features, and the likes and dislikes that G2 reviewers raise most.

9 best data-centric security software for 2027: An overview of my top picks

The best data-centric security software finds and classifies sensitive data, controls who can open it, encrypts it at rest and in transit, and flags unusual access. Based on G2’s Fall 2026 Grid Report, my top picks are Egnyte, Varonis Data Security Platform, Kiteworks, Virtru Secure Share, CrowdStrike Falcon Data Protection, Cyera, Satori Data Security Platform, Entro Security, and Securiti.

Ratings and pricing are as of October 2026

1. Egnyte: Best for governed file collaboration

Egnyte: G2 snapshot

Egnyte has the highest satisfaction score among data-centric security products on G2’s Fall 2026 Grid. I’d describe it as a file platform first, with governance built into the folders people already use. The governance layer finds and protects sensitive content for teams. It can be a medical billing office keeping protected health information (PHI) in a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) folder shared with doctors, or a construction firm locking down project folders. But if you’re seeking sensitive data classification, it sits in Egnyte’s custom-quoted top tier.

Key features of Egnyte:

• AI-based discovery and classification of personal, health, and financial data
• Real-time sensitive data scanning across cloud and on-premises sources
• Fine-grained role-based permissions by department, team, or user
• User behavior analytics that flag unusual downloads and sharing
• Ransomware detection using signature scanning and behavioral analytics
• 256-bit encryption at rest, plus Transport Layer Security (TLS) in transit
• Customer-managed encryption keys on the top-tier plan

Pros of Egnyte as per G2 reviewers:

• Secure sharing with clients and partners. G2 users value password-protected, expiring links and seeing when a shared link was opened. It matters when deal files or patient records leave the building.
• Folder- and user-level permissions. Teams on G2 appreciate setting access folder by folder. It makes it easy to manage permissions across different sets of folders.
• Audit trails for regulated work. Reviewers in healthcare and energy rely on logs and audit trails to see who updated a folder and when. It gives them a record to show when an auditor or client asks who changed what.

Cons of Egnyte as per G2 reviewers:

• Slower sync with heavy files. Big files and folder trees can slow desktop sync, and a laptop that sleeps with files open may disconnect. Engineering and media teams will feel it when working with heavy files, while offices trading everyday documents get smooth access.
• Learning curve beyond the desktop. Some G2 users find the web and mobile apps less intuitive than the desktop, and advanced settings take time to learn. Phone-first staff might need onboarding. Still, desktop users get a familiar folder setup.

2. Varonis Data Security Platform: Best for spotting overexposed sensitive data and risky access

Varonis Data Security Platform: G2 snapshot

Varonis Systems offers a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform covering classification, permission cleanup, activity monitoring, and behavior analytics across file shares, Microsoft 365, cloud stores, and databases. Teams can use it to identify folders that are open to everyone before switching on Microsoft Copilot or another AI assistant. Some G2 reviewers at mid-sized and large organizations use Varonis for exactly that kind of permission cleanup. It also has the largest market presence in G2’s data-centric security category.

Key features of Varonis Data Security Platform:

• Out-of-the-box sensitive data discovery across cloud, SaaS, and data centers
• AI and pattern-matching classification of personal, payment, and health data
• Automatic fixes for missing or wrong Microsoft sensitivity labels
• Permission remediation that revokes risky access at scale in a few clicks
• Data-centric user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) for insider threats
• Human-readable audit trail of every important action on data
• Round-the-clock managed data detection and response team

Pros of Varonis Data Security Platform as per G2 reviewers:

• Over-shared folders and who can open them. Many users appreciate seeing which files and folders are open too widely, and to whom, on-premises and in the cloud. G2 users say it surfaces excessive permissions that manual reviews tend to miss.
• Sensitive data found automatically. Automatic tagging of personal, payment, and health data is a big draw, and G2 users note the classification stays accurate without constant configuration changes.
• Detail for investigations. Security analysts and security leaders on G2 rely on its behavior analytics and file-activity trails to trace moves and deletions and investigate insider risk, ransomware, or exfiltration attempts.

Cons of Varonis Data Security Platform as per G2 reviewers:

• A slower start. Reviewers flag that first scans, deployment, and alert tuning can take weeks and require dedicated staff. Lean IT teams wanting quick wins may struggle, while teams that staff a phased rollout can tune alerts to their environment.
• Costs that grow with coverage. Spend climbs with each module for SaaS apps, cloud providers, and automated remediation. It can squeeze mid-sized budgets, though regulated organizations get discovery, cleanup, and monitoring from one vendor.

3. Kiteworks: Best for audit-ready sharing of regulated files with outsiders

Kiteworks: G2 snapshot

Kiteworks puts secure email,file sharing, file transfer, web forms, and APIs in one hardened virtual appliance. It suits regulated organizations and government contractors. It ensures double encryption at the file and disk level, with customer-owned keys on the top tier. I’d note that it doesn’t discover sensitive data on its own; it reads classification labels from Microsoft and partner tools and enforces policy on them.

Key features of Kiteworks:

• TLS 1.3 and 1.2 encryption for all data in transit
• Microsoft sensitivity label policies that block, encrypt, or allow view-only access
• Browser-only editing through the SafeEDIT add-on, with no file downloads
• Persistent encryption with access rules embedded in each file through OpenTDF
• Embedded AI that flags anomalous transfers as possible exfiltration
• Dashboard and audit logs that track every access, edit, and share

Pros of Kiteworks as per G2 reviewers:

• Tamper-proof audit trails. Seeing exactly who opened a file and when earns praise on G2. Accountants note that end users can’t alter those logs, making them reliable evidence for audits.
• Expiring access for outsiders. IT teams reviewing on G2 value granting freelance contractors temporary access to confidential reports that expire automatically after review. They can also revoke permissions early.
• Encryption on every channel. G2 reviewers like that every file, email, and transfer is encrypted in transit and at rest. A report gets the same protection whether it leaves by email or a shared link.

Cons of Kiteworks as per G2 reviewers:

• An interface that feels dated. New and non-technical users may find it less intuitive. Occasional senders may need a walkthrough. IT-led teams that set it up once and send via Outlook get logged and encrypted sharing.
• Limited custom compliance reports. Custom reports are thin. Client-facing teams may feel boxed in, while those answering auditors in Kiteworks get dependable logs.

4. Virtru Secure Share: Best for one-click encryption of sensitive email and attachments

Virtru Secure Share: G2 snapshot

If you’re trading PHI with patients and outside providers, Virtru does it without making anyone fight a portal. This is a typical example. Virtru is built for everyday sharing. Virtru Secure Share wraps each file in Trusted Data Format (TDF) encryption, allowing a sender to revoke, expire, or watermark it after it leaves. I found that some users appreciated its watermarking features for file sharing. For sensitive files, it disables resharing.

Key features of Virtru Secure Share:

• Persistent TDF encryption that stays attached to files after sharing
• Access revocation and expiration dates on files after they’re sent
• Open notifications and a Control Center view of who opened or shared files
• Data loss prevention (DLP) rules that spot sensitive data and auto-encrypt it
• Customer-held encryption keys through the Virtru Private Keystore add-on
• Audit logs with an API that feeds your security monitoring tools

Pros of Virtru Secure Share as per G2 reviewers:

• Encryption in one click. A quick toggle inside Gmail or Outlook wins the most praise on this listing, since a single checkbox turns an ordinary email and its attachments into an encrypted message.
• No portal hassle for recipients. Healthcare and finance users appreciate that patients, clients, and outside providers can open protected messages without complicated login portals or extra passwords.
• Control after hitting send. Reviewers value being able to revoke access, block downloads, and see when a file was opened.

Cons of Virtru Secure Share as per G2 reviewers:

• An extension that can drop out. The extension sometimes toggles off or vanishes after updates, and logins may need re-verifying. Staff on unmanaged browsers feel it most. Managed Google Workspace teams keep encryption one click away.
• First-time recipients can stumble. Some G2 users flag that new recipients struggle to open protected messages, or the email lands in spam. It matters more for one-off sends than for repeat clients and providers, who learn the flow once.

5. CrowdStrike Falcon Data Protection: Best for blocking data exfiltration on Falcon-managed endpoints

CrowdStrike Falcon Data Protection: G2 snapshot

I see CrowdStrike Falcon Data Protection as a module rather than a separate tool. It runs on the same Falcon sensor many security teams already use for endpoint protection. It classifies sensitive data and watches for it leaving through web uploads, universal serial bus (USB) drives, SaaS apps, and generative AI tools. It can block that movement based on your policies. As an add-on to the Falcon suite, it suits CrowdStrike customers who want to stop sensitive files from leaving their laptops more than teams buying data loss prevention on its own.

Key features of CrowdStrike Falcon Data Protection:

• Sensitive data discovery across endpoints, SaaS, GenAI, and cloud
• One classification engine that keeps labels and policies consistent
• Real-time view of who moved sensitive data, what it was, and where it went
• Insider Threat Dashboard that links identity and data activity to flag risky users
• Inspection of encrypted archives such as 7zip to block locked-file exfiltration
• Deployment through the existing Falcon sensor with no added infrastructure

Pros of CrowdStrike Falcon Data Protection as per G2 reviewers:

• A clear view of sensitive data on the move. G2 reviewers, including team leads and systems administrators, appreciate how sensitive files are accessed, used, and transferred across endpoints, including scans of data at rest and in transit.
• A light sensor on the endpoint. The lightweight Falcon agent earns praise for adding data protection with minimal drag on endpoint performance. It matters when the same laptops already carry the rest of the Falcon stack.
• Policies you can shape to your data. G2 users credit its configurable detection policies with preventing many violations.

Cons of CrowdStrike Falcon Data Protection as per G2 reviewers:

• Licensing that adds up. Some G2 users find licensing and running costs hard to justify for smaller organizations. Small teams buying DLP on its own may balk, while existing Falcon customers add it to a sensor they have already deployed.
• Plenty to configure. Full value takes skilled admin work. This turns into heavy lifting without a dedicated analyst, but it’s the depth teams want when tuning detection to almost any data type.

6. Cyera: Best for accurate sensitive data classification that’s quick to deploy

Cyera: G2 snapshot

Sensitive data tends to pile up where nobody is tracking it, like test copies in staging buckets and forgotten databases. That’s where Cyera starts. It’s an agentless, AI-native data security posture management (DSPM) platform that scans cloud, SaaS, and on-premises stores, classifies what it finds without manual tuning, and ranks which exposures carry real risk. I’d note that its fixes are revoking access, masking data, or deleting files, not encryption.

Key features of Cyera:

• Agentless scanning of sensitive data across cloud, SaaS, and on-premises stores
• AI-native classification that adapts to your data with zero tuning
• Custom data classes created on demand from natural-language prompts
• AI-driven severity scores that rank real data exposure risk
• One-click access revocation, data masking, or file deletion
• Access Trail logs of who touched sensitive data, kept for a year
• AI-driven DLP that pre-analyzes alerts and tunes its own policies

Pros of Cyera as per G2 reviewers:

• Classification you can trust. Accuracy is the most consistent praise on G2, and accurate classification keeps the team’s time on real findings instead of false positives.
• Up and running in days. G2 users appreciate a light, cloud-delivered setup that needs little configuration, so visibility into sensitive data and access risks appears soon after the first stores connect.
• It tells you what to fix first. Teams on G2 value seeing which exposures put customer or payment data at risk. It helps them fix the riskiest exposures before chasing minor findings.

Cons of Cyera as per G2 reviewers:

• Board-ready reports take extra work. Several G2 users want more flexible, self-serve reporting, especially for summarizing data risk for executives. Technical leaders and data owners working inside the findings feel it least, while teams reporting to the board may lean on Cyera’s team.
• The first findings list is a long one. Initial scans can surface a flood of historical copies and issues, and tuning toward enforcement takes time. Teams with people to work the backlog get a full picture, while small teams expecting quick enforcement need patience.

7. Satori Data Security Platform: Best for need-to-know access to sensitive data in data warehouses

Satori Data Security Platform: G2 snapshot

Satori Data Security Platform sits between your users and the databases, data warehouses, and data lakes they query, such as Snowflake, Databricks, and Redshift. It finds sensitive data, then applies access policies, dynamic masking, and row-level security at query time, with no changes to data, schemas, or queries. I noticed computer software companies make up the largest group of G2 reviewers.

Key features of Satori Data Security Platform:

• Continuous discovery and classification of sensitive data in data stores
• Custom classifiers that keep data continuously tagged with your own labels
• Dynamic masking that hides sensitive fields without changing the data
• Row-level security applied consistently across data platforms
• Just-in-time access requests with approvals instead of static permissions
• Query-time policy enforcement with no schema or query changes
• Central access audit logs showing who saw which sensitive data types

Pros of Satori Data Security Platform as per G2 reviewers:

• Access rules without rewriting queries. G2 users value central, granular access control applied right at the point of query, so existing schemas and queries keep working while sensitive data stays need-to-know.
• Masked by default, unlocked on approval. Many users appreciate dynamic masking paired with just-in-time access requests, where a business justification and approval open a sensitive column only as long as needed.
• Every query leaves a trail. A clear record of who accessed which sensitive data, and when, earns praise from teams that have to show auditors who queried what.

Cons of Satori Data Security Platform as per G2 reviewers:

• Setup needs a plan. Connecting data sources, mapping identities, and designing masking and row-level policies take planning, and newcomers face a learning curve. Teams that map their policy model up front settle in faster than small teams hoping to plug it in and go.
• Heavy queries can feel the proxy. Some G2 users notice slowdowns on very large queries or multi-terabyte workloads, and scaling across many environments takes effort. It’s a natural fit for everyday analytics and access requests, while teams pushing huge queries through it should plan capacity.

8. Entro Security: Best for tracking down leaked secrets and machine identities

Entro Security: G2 snapshot

When a scanner flags an exposed API key in a build pipeline, the slow part is often finding out who created it, and that’s the job I’d give Entro Security. The agentless platform finds secrets, tokens, service accounts, and AI agents, known as non-human identities (NHIs), across cloud, code, continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, and collaboration tools. It then maps each one to a human owner.

Key features of Entro Security:

• Discovery of credential types across cloud, CI/CD, and SaaS sources
• Validation of live secrets so teams fix real exposures first
• Slack DLP that catches secrets the moment they’re shared
• Lineage mapping that ties every secret and NHI to a human owner
• Continuous permission analysis that shows what each NHI can reach
• Monitoring that flags bulk downloads or unusual access locations
• Rotation, termination, and offboarding of exposed credentials

Pros of Entro Security as per G2 reviewers:

• One view of secrets and machine identities. Security and development teams on G2 see exposed secrets, service accounts, and machine identities side by side, and developers no longer check platform by platform.
• Scanning where secrets leak. Broad integrations earn praise from application security engineers who scan Slack, GitHub, and Atlassian for exposed secrets, and some run scans directly inside the CI/CD pipeline.
• Faster fixes through ownership. Mapping each discovered secret back to a specific person or team speeds up remediation, and a principal security engineer on G2 credits it with cutting response time to future leaks.

Cons of Entro Security as per G2 reviewers:

• Gaps outside mainstream tools. Teams flag missing integrations for legacy systems, open-source apps, and niche developer tools. Older stacks may see blind spots, while cloud-native teams on GitHub, Slack, and Atlassian get broad coverage.
• Alerts with fewer custom options. Reviewers want more self-serve tuning, since notification templates and webhooks sit with Entro’s backend team. If you need custom rules, then it’s limiting; if default alerting works, Entro handles setup.

9. Securiti: Best for running data security and privacy on one platform

Securiti: G2 snapshot

Within Securiti’s DataAI Command Platform, data security sits beside privacy, AI governance, and compliance modules, all built on one knowledge graph of where sensitive data lives. The security side discovers and classifies sensitive data across hybrid multicloud, SaaS, and on-premises systems, shows who can access it, and enforces masking and access policies. I noticed enterprises make up most of its G2 reviewers, which fits a platform bought module by module.

Key features of Securiti:

• Discovery of shadow, dark, and native data assets across clouds
• Sensitive data classification with 400+ AI-powered classifiers
• Automatic sensitivity labeling of files in Box and network file shares
• File- and table-level view of who can access sensitive data
• Data access monitoring with least-privilege recommendations
• Dynamic masking of sensitive data at query time by user attributes
• Risk rules that flag toxic combinations of data misconfigurations

Pros of Securiti as per G2 reviewers:

• One console instead of a stack of tools. Running discovery, access control, privacy requests, and AI governance from one platform is the most common praise on G2.
• Finds sensitive data wherever it landed. G2 users value automated discovery and classification across structured and unstructured data, including shadow data in multicloud, SaaS, and legacy file shares that nobody had cataloged.
• Audit prep stops being a scramble. Teams on G2 appreciate exportable logs and a live view of compliance posture when auditors ask for proof or a privacy regulation sets a deadline.

Cons of Securiti as per G2 reviewers:

• Setup is a project. Getting scans, classifiers, and policies tuned takes real time, and the broad module set comes with a steep learning curve. Teams with dedicated admins absorb it, while lean teams expecting quick results may need training first.
• Menus and errors take some decoding. Several G2 users find that everyday workflows take extra clicks and background errors don’t always explain themselves. Admins who live in the console learn the layout, while occasional users may need a ticket to troubleshoot a failed scan.

Frequently asked questions about data-centric security software

Have more questions? Find the answers below.

Q1. What does data-centric security software do?

It protects the data itself rather than the network around it. Tools in G2’s category discover sensitive data, classify and tag it, enforce access rules, encrypt it at rest and in transit, and flag unusual access or user behavior.

Q2. How is data-centric security different from perimeter security?

Perimeter security guards the network edge. Data-centric security follows the data, so controls still apply when a file sits in a shared folder or leaves the company, as with Virtru’s revocable, expiring files or Kiteworks’ governed external sharing.

Q3. Is data loss prevention the same as data-centric security?

Not quite. Data loss prevention (DLP) focuses on stopping data from leaving, which is CrowdStrike Falcon Data Protection’s job on endpoints. Data-centric security is broader, adding discovery, classification, access control, and encryption, and some tools feed labels into DLP.

Q4. Which data-centric security platforms do security engineers in financial services and healthcare trust most, based on G2 reviews?

I’d look at Varonis and Virtru first. Financial services is the top industry among Varonis’ G2 reviewers, with banking also in the top five, and 98% rate it four or five stars. Virtru’s top industry is hospital and health care, followed by financial services.

Q5. Which data-centric security platforms are highest rated for financial firms that need automated encryption of customer data?

Virtru Secure Share leads my list. G2 reviewers rate its encryption 95%, above the 92% category average; financial services ranks among its top industries, and its DLP rules can auto-encrypt sensitive data. Egnyte, also popular in financial services, has the category’s highest satisfaction score.

Q6. Which data-centric security tools automate encryption and access control without manual data classification?

Virtru’s DLP rules spot sensitive data and encrypt it automatically. Varonis classifies data with AI and pattern matching, fixes missing Microsoft sensitivity labels, and revokes risky access in a few clicks. 

Q7. Which data-centric security solutions offer strong encryption and automation across hybrid cloud environments?

I’d start with Egnyte. It scans cloud and on-premises sources for sensitive data in real time on its top tier, applies 256-bit encryption at rest and TLS in transit, and G2 reviewers value its hybrid access. Varonis maps hybrid access but doesn’t encrypt.

Q8. How can I prevent unauthorized access while encryption is still being rolled out?

Lean on access controls and monitoring in the meantime. Varonis revokes risky permissions and flags anomalous access through UEBA, Egnyte sets role-based permissions by team or user, and CrowdStrike Falcon Data Protection can block sensitive data headed to USB drives or GenAI tools.

Q9. Which data-centric security software offers refined access policies for sensitive information?

Kiteworks is my first pick, since its policies read Microsoft sensitivity labels to block, encrypt, or allow view-only access, and G2 reviewers set expiring access for contractors. Egnyte sets permissions by department, team, or user, and Virtru lets senders revoke, expire, or watermark shared files.

Q10. Which data-centric security tools give clear visibility early, even during initial configuration?

Entro Security is agentless, scores 98% for ease of setup, and G2 reviewers describe clear visibility into exposed secrets. CrowdStrike Falcon Data Protection runs on the Falcon sensor many teams already have. With Varonis, G2 reviewers say first scans and tuning can take weeks.

Q11. Which data-centric security tools prove their value early, before a full deployment?

Virtru is a quick win: G2 reviewers describe setup taking a couple of minutes. Varonis offers a free data risk assessment, though G2 reviewers say full deployment and alert tuning can take weeks.

Q12. Which data-centric security platforms stay easy to manage despite complex automation, with integrations that fit?

Entro scores 98% for ease of use and 99% for ease of admin, and G2 reviewers praise its Slack, GitHub, and Atlassian integrations. Egnyte (93% ease of admin) plugs into Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace for G2 reviewers, and Virtru runs inside Gmail and Outlook.

Q13. Which data protection solutions integrate with compliance and audit logging frameworks?

Virtru’s audit log API feeds security information and event management (SIEM) tools, and G2 reviewers link Varonis and Kiteworks to a SIEM, too. Kiteworks logs file activity for General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and HIPAA audits, though G2 reviewers find its custom reports limited.

How did I find and evaluate these data-centric security tools?

To build this list, I used data from G2’s Fall 2026 Grid Report for Data-Centric Security, verified user reviews, and current product information. I focused on the signals that help information technology (IT) managers, security analysts, compliance officers, and application security engineers compare tools meaningfully. I looked into how well each product finds sensitive data, limits who can open it, and flags unusual access in day-to-day work.

• I started with G2’s latest Grid® Report for Data-Centric Security Software. I used G2 Score, customer satisfaction, market presence, and review volume to shortlist leading products, then ordered my nine picks by G2 Score.
• I analyzed G2 user reviews. It helped me understand how each tool performs in practice, from sharing patient files with outside providers to cleaning up over-permissioned folders and tracking down leaked API keys. I also used artificial intelligence (AI) to help analyze a larger volume of reviews and identify recurring themes, including repeated strengths, limitations, and use cases.
• I used information available as of October 2026. This includes the G2 ratings, feature and satisfaction scores, reviews, pricing, and product details referenced throughout the article, so some details may change as vendors update their products.
• I sourced key features from official vendor websites and product documentation. I looked into data-centric capabilities: discovery, classification, access control, encryption, and monitoring of sensitive data.

For a tool to be included in the data-centric security software category, it should:

• Provide sensitive data discovery functionality
• Support data classification with the tagging and auditing of sensitive information
• Enforce access control policies for sensitive information
• Offer encryption for data at rest and in transit
• Monitor for abnormalities related to information access and user behavior

Follow the data

Every tool on this list answers a question you have probably dreaded during an audit or after a close call: where did that file go, and who opened it?

Where you need the answer most depends on how your data leaks, whether that’s a folder open to everyone, a patient record sent outside, a client list on a thumb drive, or a token sitting in a pipeline log.

Start by mapping where your most sensitive data lives and how it leaves: shared drives, email, laptops, or code. Then shortlist the one or two tools built for that path.

My advice: Run a discovery pass before you commit to anything else. Knowing which folders are open to everyone and where patient, payment, or credential data sits tells you whether your biggest gap is access, sharing, endpoints, or secrets, and that points you to the tool built for that leak path.

If more of that sensitive data opens on phones and tablets in the field, explore the best mobile data security software next.