Learn about the difference between structured data and unstructured data and how to best protect it in Data Protection 101, our series on the fundamentals of information security.

When organizations prepare to collect, analyze and secure data, they need to understand there two kinds of data: structured and unstructured data. Each presents different challenges — especially when it comes to data security. It is important to understand both concepts.

Structured data is usually stored in relational databases and displayed in defined columns and rows. This allows data mining tools and algorithms to access and analyze it via search.

Structured data can be used in: