Varonis Systems (Nasdaq: VRNS) has introduced a next-generation database activity monitoring (DAM) solution, designed to provide enterprises with a streamlined, cloud-native alternative to legacy database security tools. This launch marks a significant step in the evolution of DAM technology, positioning Varonis as a modern player addressing growing security and compliance needs in the age of AI and data-intensive operations.
Databases remain mission-critical infrastructure for businesses across industries and are increasingly central to AI workloads. However, securing them has become more complex as data proliferates across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
Varonis argues that existing DAM solutions, such as those from legacy vendors like Imperva and IBM Guardium, are falling behind. These older systems rely heavily on agent-based architectures and hardware deployments, often taking years to fully implement and requiring dedicated teams to manage.
“Legacy DAM solutions rarely go beyond checking a compliance box,” said Terry Ray, Varonis VP of Product Strategy and former CTO at Imperva. “They’re outdated, cumbersome, and expensive to maintain. Our next-gen DAM is cloud-native, easy to deploy, and focused on delivering real-time security outcomes.”
Varonis’ new DAM is part of its broader Data Security Platform and integrates seamlessly into existing security architectures. It offers full visibility into database activity – whether in the cloud or on-premises – and generates a detailed audit trail showing who accessed what data, when, and how. This capability is increasingly critical in regulated industries, where data compliance and breach forensics are top priorities.
The new DAM also leverages user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) to identify unusual or potentially malicious activity in real time. Suspicious queries, data exfiltration attempts, or misuse of access privileges can be automatically flagged and blocked. Coupled with automated remediation features, such as revoking excessive permissions or masking sensitive data, Varonis provides organizations with a proactive defense model against insider threats and external attacks.
Additional features include the following:
- Data Discovery and Classification: Organizations can identify sensitive information across databases, track exposure risks, and pinpoint stale or inactive data
- Access Control Mapping: The platform links database permissions with corporate identities, providing clarity on who can view, alter, or delete critical information
- Automation Capabilities: Policy enforcement actions like access revocation, data masking, and risk reduction are handled automatically, reducing reliance on manual intervention.
Varonis’ Next-Gen DAM supports a wide range of database environments, including Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, Amazon RDS, Snowflake, Postgres, Databricks, and others. This broad compatibility ensures organizations can adopt the solution without overhauling existing infrastructure.
The launch also reflects a broader shift in data security strategy. Rather than treating data protection as an endpoint concern, Varonis emphasizes proactive risk reduction from the point of data creation or storage. In the company’s view, traditional siloed security tools no longer meet the needs of modern, AI-driven enterprise environments.
“Today’s threat landscape – and the scale of sensitive data in motion—requires unified platforms, not patchwork solutions,” added Terry Ray. “Our new DAM offering is built for this era of complexity and speed.”
Headquartered in New York, Varonis has built a reputation for developing AI-powered security automation and data-centric solutions. Its platform is already widely used for data classification, threat detection, and identity protection across hybrid cloud environments.
With the release of its next-gen DAM, Varonis is positioning itself as a leader in redefining database security – helping businesses move beyond compliance to achieve real-time visibility, control, and protection across their most critical data assets.
