LightBeam Lens

Overview

LightBeams Lens generates advanced data analysis and visualization providing comprehensive insights into file systems across multiple data sources.

NOTE:

LightBeam Lens provides Data Source Analysis for all 3 platforms (SMB, OneDrive, SharePoint), but Custom Analysis is exclusively available for SMB data sources. This is a critical consideration when planning your data analysis strategy across different platforms.

Getting Started

• Open Main Dashboard

  
• Navigate to "Datasources" in the top navigation

• You will see a list of available data sources. The datasources currently supported by LightBeam Lens are:

  • SMB: Full functionality including custom analysis

  • OneDrive: Data source analysis only

  • SharePoint: Data source analysis only

• Data Source Selection

  1. Locate your target SMB excel datasource in the list

     
  2. The interface presents three tabs:

     • Summary (Scan Results)

     • Lens (Data Source Analysis)

     • Lens (Custom Analysis)

     

Data Source Analysis

Accessing Lens Analysis

NOTE:

Users can toggle between All Files and Meta-Data Scan views for different analytical perspectives. Each view provides specific metrics, and generated reports reflect the currently selected view settings.

1. Click on "Lens (DS Analysis)" tab

   
2. The dashboard displays multiple visualization components:

Dashboard Components

NOTE:

Data Processing: While some files may be skipped during processing, their metadata is still retained and accessible. The system tracks ML processing exceptions in the skip analysis, providing visibility into processing decisions and outcomes.

1. Files Overview tab:

Status indicators showing Last Updated On: N/A, Status: Unknown Status, with options to Run Lens Now and Generate File Overview Report.

1. Sensitive Files Distribution by File Type

Total Sensitive Files: 42

• IMG: 18 high sensitive (20 total)

• PDF: 17 high sensitive (17 total)

• XLS: 5 high sensitive (5 total)

2. Data Monitor by File Type:

All Files Processing Status:

• When viewing All Files, the system shows a total of 93 files with the following breakdown:

  • PDF files: 52 total, with 50 successfully scanned and 2 skipped

  • Image files: 32 total, all successfully scanned

  • XLS files: 6 total, with 5 scanned and 1 skipped

  • TEXT files: 1 total, successfully scanned

  • PPT files: 1 total, successfully scanned

  • OTHER files: 1 total, skipped

Switching to Meta-Data Scan view focuses on skipped files, showing:

• PDF Files: 2 Skipped

• Image Files: 1 Skipped

• Docs: 1 Skipped

• Others: 0

3. Data Monitored by Volume

The total volume monitored is 434MB, distributed as:

• PDF: 136.8 MB

• XLS: 108.8 MB

• TEXT: 100.2 MB

• DOCX: 59.0 MB

• PPT: 17.7 MB

4. Distribution by File Size

The file size distribution graph shows various ranges:

• Files under 16 KB

• Files between 16 KB and 128 KB showing peak distribution

• Files between 128 KB and 1 MB

• Files between 1 MB and 128 MB Each range displays relative frequency through bar height.

5. Distribution By Modified Time

All Files View

• Within last 1 Year: ~60 files

• Over 1 Year ago: ~30 files

• Over 3 Years ago: ~28 files

• Over 5 Years ago: No files

• Over 7 Years ago: No files

Files not modified in more than 7 years: 0

Meta-Data Scan View

• Within last 1 Year: 4 files

• No files in other time periods

• Files not modified in more than 7 years: 0

6. Distribution By Creation Time

All Files View

• Within last 1 Year: ~60 files

• Over 1 Year ago: ~30 files

• Over 3 Years ago: ~28 files

• Over 5 Years ago: No files

• Over 7 Years ago: No files

Files created beyond 7 years: 0

Meta-Data Scan View

• Within last 1 Year: 4 files

• No files in other time periods

• Files created beyond 7 years: 0

Distribution of Skipped Files

Total Skipped Files: 4

• Size: 2 files

• Other: 2 files

Directory Level Analysis

Accessing Directory Details

1. Click on "Directory Details" tab

Displayed metrics include:

1. Share name and ID

2. Size in MB

3. Total attributes count

4. Number of:

   • Sensitive files

   • Skipped files

   • Scanned files

   • Total files

Example:

Share Name: Share1
Shared ID: 0
- Size: 434 MB
- Total Attributes: 405
- Sensitive Files: 42
- Skipped Files: 4
- Scanned Files: 89
- Total Files: 93

To verify,

• Click through Configuration icon

• Navigate to Scan Settings

• Confirm correct directory configuration.

Report Generation System

NOTE:

The system generates two types of reports. The File Overview Report provides detailed information for each individual file, scaling with your data size (for example, 170K files will generate 170K rows). The Directory Details Report provides aggregate metrics at the drive or share level. All reports are accessible through the notification center once generated.

File Overview Report

• Click on Lens (Data Source Analysis) tab.

  

• Click "Generate File Overview Report" button in top right.

  

• Observe success notification.

• Access notification center (bell icon).

• Wait for report completion.

• Click "Download" after the report completion.

File Overview Report Content

The downloaded report is a comprehensive Excel file with multiple columns tracking every aspect of each file in your data source. Each row provides detailed visibility into a file's attributes, ranging from basic information (name, path, size) to advanced metrics like sensitivity levels and attribute counts. The report includes scan status, timeline information, and specific attribute tracking, allowing for thorough analysis of your data landscape.

The extensive column structure enables tracking of both high-level file status and granular attribute details, combined with share-level information and processing metrics, making it a complete audit tool for data monitoring.

Directory Details Report

• Click on the Directory Details tab

• Click "Generate Directory Details Report"

• Access report through notification center (🔔) and click on Download

Directory Details Report Content

The report is organized into four key tabs, each providing a different analytical perspective of your data:

1. Drive Level Details: An executive summary showing overall metrics for your drive, including file counts, sensitivity statistics, and storage information across different file types.

1. Datasource Skip Details: A focused analysis of files excluded from processing, breaking down the specific reasons why files were skipped during analysis.

1. File Type Stats: A straightforward inventory of all files by type, giving you a clear picture of your data composition across different formats.

1. Attribute Stats: A comprehensive view of detected sensitive information, quantifying the occurrence of various sensitive data types found within your files.

Each tab provides a different analytical perspective of your data source, from high-level drive metrics to detailed attribute analysis.

Custom Analysis Workflow (SMB Only)

NOTE: Platform-Specific Functionality

Custom Analysis is available only for SMB data sources.

NOTE:

When using Custom Analysis, the choice between directory and file paths affects your results. Directory paths provide comprehensive metrics including sub-directory information, while direct file paths show metrics for the specific file but display "No data found" under Directory Details.

Direct File Path Analysis

When you select a specific file path (e.g., share1/particular_file.pdf):

• Files Overview tab shows metrics only for that specific file

• Directory Details tab shows "No data found" as there are no sub-directories

Note: This view is limited as it's targeting a single file rather than a directory structure

Example:

1. Select "Lens (Custom Analysis)" tab

• Click "New Custom Analysis"

• Enter path information:

• Type or select share path (e.g., share1)

• Name the new custom lens analysis.

• Confirm full path (e.g., share1/large_files) and click on View Analysis.

• Click on the Analysis Name to view the report.

• You can study the report similar to Data Source Analysis.

• In the case of a direct file path, Directory Details will not show any results.

Directory Path Analysis

When you select a directory path (e.g., share1/large_files):

• Files Overview tab shows metrics for all files within that directory

• Directory Details tab displays sub-directory information if any exist

• Example: If large_files contains other folders, they'll be listed with their metrics

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About LightBeam

LightBeam automates Privacy, Security, and AI Governance, so businesses can accelerate their growth in new markets. Leveraging generative AI, LightBeam has rapidly gained customers’ trust by pioneering a unique privacy-centric and automation-first approach to security. Unlike siloed solutions, LightBeam ties together sensitive data cataloging, control, and compliance across structured and unstructured data applications providing 360-visibility, redaction, self-service DSRs, and automated ROPA reporting ensuring ultimate protection against ransomware and accidental exposures while meeting data privacy obligations efficiently. LightBeam is on a mission to create a secure privacy-first world helping customers automate compliance against a patchwork of existing and emerging regulations.

For any questions or suggestions, please get in touch with us at: [e-mail]