For privacy professionals and business leaders alike, data mapping is a critical exercise. Most organizations are juggling dozens, if not hundreds, of data systems. However, when it’s time to answer fundamental questions like What data do we have? Where is it? Are we using it correctly? Many are left scrambling for answers.
Many data mapping software tools promise clarity, but often fall short where it matters most: connecting data visibility to actionable insights. Without this connection, privacy teams struggle to meet regulatory demands, while growth leaders hesitate to activate data or for fear of compliance missteps.
This is where Ketch’s Data Map takes a different approach. It’s not just about data mapping for privacy; it’s about making sense of it and giving you the confidence to act. Whether you’re mitigating risks or driving revenue, the Ketch Data Map empowers you to move forward with clarity, precision, and speed.
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Why traditional data maps leave you stuck
Most data mapping tools have a glaring flaw: they’re stuck in the past. Built for a simpler time, these tools rely on manual surveys and outdated processes that are neither efficient nor scalable.
Here’s where they often fail:
Manual inputs = outdated results. Traditional tools require extensive human collaboration to map out data systems. By the time a map is complete, the data landscape has already changed–new systems are added, old ones are updated, and the map is out of sync.
Visibility without action. Many so-called “next-gen” tools emphasize visibility alone. They can show you where data lives but fail to address critical questions like What permissions apply to this data? Is it safe to use? This gap leaves organizations paralyzed, unsure of how to move forward.
Siloed and incomplete. Most tools operate in isolation, disconnected from the workflows and compliance processes that teams rely on. This fragmented approach makes it harder to tie data insights to practical actions, like responding to a regulator or launching a campaign with confidence.
The fallout from these limitations is real:
For privacy teams, staying compliant feels like an uphill battle. They’re stuck in reactive mode, constantly updating their maps and scrambling to prove compliance when regulators come knocking.
For growth leaders, the uncertainty around permissions and data quality leads to inaction. Opportunities for AI-driven insights or personalized marketing are left on the table because no one wants to risk stepping over the line.
How the ketch data map changes the game
Unlike traditional tools, Ketch’s Data Map combines real-time visibility, risk governance, and activation insights into a single platform. It’s not just a map–it’s a command center for your data, designed to evolve with your data ecosystem and give you actionable clarity at every turn.
Data visibility isn’t the end goal–it’s the starting line. What sets the Ketch Data Map apart is its ability to bridge the gap between knowing your data and acting on it. With a focus on three core capabilities–real-time visibility, risk governance, and actionable insights–the Ketch Data Map transforms data mapping from a reactive chore into a proactive advantage.
1. Gain real-time visibility
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Data landscapes are vast and constantly shifting. Traditional mapping tools struggle to keep pace, relying on static, manual inputs that quickly become outdated. The Ketch Data Map flips this model by delivering always-on, real-time visibility into your entire data ecosystem.
Here’s how it works:
Automatic system detection. The Data Map automatically identifies and tracks every system in your organization, from third-party SaaS tools like Google Analytics to custom databases and AI models.
Dynamic updates. Whenever a new system is added or an existing one changes, the Data Map updates itself in real time. You’ll always have an accurate, up-to-date picture of your data landscape without lifting a finger.
Comprehensive insights. With intuitive visualizations, you can quickly understand what types of data are stored, how they’re categorized, and their sensitivity levels. Want to know which systems hold sensitive personal data? It’s just a click away.
This real-time clarity ensures privacy teams and growth leaders alike can make informed decisions without second-guessing their data’s accuracy.
2. Manage and mitigate risks
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Risk management often feels like fighting fires without a map to the hydrant. The Ketch Data Map takes a proactive approach to governance with its Risk Registry, which tracks, analyzes, and mitigates risks across your entire data footprint.
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Key capabilities include:
Risk tracking by design. The Risk Registry centralizes all risk-related activities, helping you identify vulnerabilities before they escalate. Whether it’s a potential regulatory violation or a data storage inconsistency, risks are flagged in real time.
Integrated compliance tools. No more toggling between tools or chasing down data from disparate systems. The Data Map connects seamlessly with Ketch’s privacy workflows—like Data Subject Requests (DSRs)—to streamline compliance efforts.
Regulator-ready reports. Facing a compliance audit or litigation? The Data Map generates detailed reports that are ready to share with regulators or internal stakeholders, giving you the confidence to respond quickly and accurately.
By taking the guesswork out of risk management, the Ketch Data Map frees up your privacy team to focus on higher-value activities while maintaining a strong compliance posture.
3. Activate data for growth initiatives
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Data is only as valuable as your ability to use it. For many organizations, uncertainty around permissions, quality, and completeness leaves data assets gathering dust. The Ketch Data Map flips this narrative by enabling access to clean, permissioned data for growth.
Here’s how the platform empowers marketing and growth teams:
Shared visibility across stakeholders. The Data Map creates a centralized source of truth for data permissions, ensuring that marketing, eCommerce, and digital teams can confidently use personal data without fear of overstepping privacy boundaries.
Actionable dashboards. Executive dashboards provide actionable insights into data quality, completeness, and efficiency. Need to know whether your marketing data aligns with user permissions? The answer is at your fingertips.
AI-powered initiatives. AI is a powerful growth driver, but it requires high-quality, permissioned data to function effectively. The Ketch Data Map ensures your AI models are fed with accurate, compliant data, unlocking smarter customer insights and better ROI.
By bridging the gap between privacy and growth, the Ketch Data Map transforms your data into a strategic asset, ready to drive both compliance and revenue.
Why Ketch is the smarter choice
When it comes to data mapping, many software tools get too focused on individual grains of sand. Spending months, if not years, tabulating and calculating the picture-perfect map. Ketch prioritizes time to value, so you can see the whole beach from the start. Here’s what sets us apart:
Always-on insights. No more static surveys or outdated maps.
Integrated action. Move from visibility to activation in a single platform.
Time-to-value. The Ketch Data Map delivers insights immediately, so you can start making better decisions on day one.
Collaborative by design, built for cross-stakeholder viewing and insights.
The Ketch Data Map is a game-changer for:
Privacy professionals managing compliance programs with limited resources. If you’re tired of scrambling to answer “what data do we have?” or “are we compliant?” this is your solution.
Marketing and growth leaders who need clarity and confidence to activate personal data. Gain insights that fuel AI, improve customer experiences, and boost ROI.
See it in action–schedule a demo today
Ready to turn data chaos into clarity–and action? The Ketch Data Map is available today as part of the Ketch Data Permissioning Platform. This isn’t just a better data map. It’s a smarter way to manage your data–and your business.
Sam Alexander brings a wealth of technical prowess and industry experience garnered from his tenure at both Zendesk and KVH. Sam has a BS in Computer Science and Mathematics from Brown University.