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PK Protect

pkware.com

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Spec score 7.3 #9 of 21 in Sensitive Data Discovery Software

What it is

PK Protect is PKWARE’s enterprise data security platform for discovering and protecting sensitive information across endpoints, servers, cloud environments, databases, data lakes, and mainframes. Its policy-driven actions include encryption, redaction, masking, moving, deleting, and quarantining data. PKWARE describes three products: Endpoint Manager, Data Store Manager, and PK Protect for z/OS. Endpoint Manager covers desktops, laptops, servers, file shares, and Microsoft 365; Data Store Manager works across structured and unstructured data, including databases, cloud repositories, applications, and ERPs. The z/OS product discovers applications and critical data elements, helps prevent leakage, and supports SBOM creation for audits. Integration with Microsoft Purview can apply sensitivity labels centrally and extend protection to file types Purview cannot label. PKWARE lists compliance coverage for frameworks including PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, and ITAR. The platform supports hybrid deployment, multi-cloud coverage, and external KMS. Pricing is available on request. PKWARE says it was founded in Milwaukee in 1986.

Spec sheet

Purpose
PK Protect helps enterprises discover and protect sensitive data across endpoints, servers, cloud, databases, data lakes, and mainframes.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Intended users
PKWARE positions PK Protect for organizations seeking enterprise-wide data security and compliance, and says it is used by 21 of the 25 largest U.S. banks.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Integrations
PKWARE says its platform supports over 250 on-premises and cloud databases, cloud storage, big data repositories, and productivity applications.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Compliance
PKWARE lists out-of-the-box coverage for PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, CMMC, GLBA, SOX, FISMA, FINRA, CJIS, and ITAR.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Support
PKWARE directs customers to its technical support and online support portal.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Headquarters
PKWARE lists its U.S. headquarters at 201 E. Pittsburgh Ave., Suite 400, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Founded
1986Read 28 Sep 2026 · pkware.com
Buyer profile
PKWARE presents PK Protect as an enterprise data security platform and describes use by organizations in financial services, healthcare, retail, government, and other industries.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Company history
PKWARE's company page says Phil Katz founded the company in Milwaukee in 1986.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Data store coverage
Data Store Manager supports environments including Oracle, SQL Server, Postgres, DB2, Hadoop, AWS, Azure, Snowflake, and Salesforce.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Data store features
Data Store Manager discovers and protects structured and unstructured data across databases, data lakes, cloud repositories, applications, and ERPs, including masking for development, testing, AI, and analytics use.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Endpoint features
Endpoint Manager discovers, classifies, redacts, and encrypts sensitive data on desktops, laptops, servers, file shares, and Microsoft 365.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Mainframe
PK Protect for z/OS discovers z/OS applications and critical data elements, helps prevent data leakage, and supports SBOM creation for audits.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Microsoft integration
PK Protect integrates with Microsoft Purview to apply sensitivity labels centrally based on content and extend protection to file types Purview labeling does not support.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Microsoft Purview
PK Protect integrates with Microsoft Purview to apply and enforce sensitivity labels automatically and extend protection to file types Purview cannot label.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Named connections
The integrations page lists Windows, Mac OS, Linux, IBM AIX, Solaris, SharePoint, OneDrive, IBM z/OS, Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Teradata, Snowflake, and Salesforce among supported environments.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Notable limit
PKWARE says PK Protect has no daily labeling limit for Microsoft Purview labels.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Persistent protection
PK Protect embeds security into data to protect it across the enterprise wherever it lives and moves.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Policy controls
The platform uses automation and policy-driven controls to mitigate risk, support compliance, and enable secure data use and sharing.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Products
PKWARE describes three products: Endpoint Manager, Data Store Manager, and PK Protect for z/OS.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Protection
The platform offers policy-based encryption, redaction, masking, and other actions including moving, deleting, or quarantining sensitive data.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pkware.com
Security certification
PKWARE’s Trust Center lists SOC 2 Type I and Type II and PCI DSS v4.0.1 among its compliance certifications.Read 7 Oct 2026 · trust.pkware.com
Trust
PKWARE states that it achieved SOC 2 Type II certification and says the independent audit covered its SaaS infrastructure, security processes, and organizational controls.Read 7 Oct 2026 · trust.pkware.com

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Policy actions include encryption, redaction, masking, and quarantine.
  • Covers endpoints, databases, cloud environments, and mainframes.
  • Integrates with Microsoft Purview sensitivity labels.
  • Supports hybrid deployment and multi-cloud coverage.
  • PKWARE lists SOC 2 Type I and Type II certifications.

Limits

  • Pricing is available on request.
  • The platform is positioned for enterprise organizations.

Who it suits

PK Protect is aimed at organizations seeking enterprise-wide data security and compliance, including those in financial services, healthcare, retail, and government. Its broad environment coverage may suit teams managing sensitive data across multiple systems and cloud services.

Verdict

PK Protect brings discovery and policy-driven controls across a wide range of data environments, with separate products for endpoints, data stores, and z/OS. Prospective buyers need to request pricing and assess which product coverage fits their systems.

Where Specifiction places it

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