Overview
Netskope DSPM supports scanning GCP Cloud SQL for SQL Server data stores. Follow these instructions to set up your SQL Server database and configure its connection to Netskope DSPM.
Authenticate Data Store
There are two methods for authenticating GCP Cloud SQL for SQL Server data stores: Snapshot Scan or Netskope DSPM-specific credentials.
Using Snapshot Scan
Snapshot Scans are quicker and simpler, spinning up a secure copy of the data store for Netskope DSPM to scan without needing to create Netskope DSPM-specific credentials. This copy exists only within your Netskope DSPM instance, and Netskope DSPM does not store any associated data. It’s encrypted and then immediately spun down, so there are no lingering data copies. Please note that spinning up the data store copy can cause the scan initiation process can take several hours.
The following features are not supported when authenticating via Snapshot:
- Privilege Analysis
- Data-in-use monitoring
- Database selection
- Sample data collection
Ensure you’ve enabled data store Snapshots access during GCP Infrastructure onboarding. For already onboarded accounts, you must manually add permission Cloud SQL Admin in the GCP Console.
Once connected, data classification in the data store runs via Snapshot, which appears on the Data Store Inventory page as a small layered square note icon to the right of the hyperlinked data store name. You can later edit the data store and toggle off Snapshots, at which point Netskope DSPM-specific credentials will be required to authenticate the data store.
Using Netskope DSPM-Specific Credentials
Authenticating the data store via Netskope DSPM-specific credentials requires additional configuration steps within GCP and may involve additional administrative support, as outlined below. This type of authentication enables access to all supported capabilities within Netskope DSPM.
Begin by configuring a service account which will be dedicated to Netskope DSPM’s use.
- As a DB administrator, log into your SQL database.
- Create the Netskope DSPM-specific SQL user by executing the following commands in the mentioned order:
| Command | Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CREATE LOGIN 'dasera_user' WITH PASSWORD ='dasera_password'; | Creates the DB user with which will be dedicated to Netskope DSPM’s use as a service account. | Substitute dasera_user and dasera_password with your own preferred values. You will need this information later when configuring Netskope DSPM. Note : We recommend to use dasera as the username and a password of your choice. You will need this information later when configuring Netskope DSPM. |
USE "database name"; CREATE USER dasera FOR LOGIN 'dasera_user'; ALTER ROLE db_datareader ADD MEMBER dasera; | Grants read-only access to the Netskope DSPM specific DB user in each SQL database to you want to scan. The CREATE USER command enables the previously-created LOGIN to access the database. The built-in db_datareader role grants read-only access to all schemas and tables (including system tables) on the active database. | Substitute database name with each SQL DB you wish to scan with Netskope DSPM Application |
Retrieve Connection Information
Netskope DSPM requires additional information to communicate with your SQL Server instance. Connection details vary depending on whether you connect to the data store with Netskope DSPM-specific credentials or via Snapshot Scan.
Connection Information for Netskope DSPM-Specific Credentials
Please follow the steps below to identify the connection values for later use within Netskope DSPM.
- Click this link to log into your GCP Console, which will navigate you to a list of your SQL instances.
- For the SQL Server database instance you wish Netskope DSPM to scan, make note of the following value, which will later be used within Netskope DSPM for connecting your Data Store.
| Database Value | Corresponding Netskope DSPM Value | Example (See highlighted value) |
|---|---|---|
| Public IP Address | Data Store Endpoint |  |
Connection Information for Snapshot Scan
Please follow the steps below to identify the connection values for later use within Netskope DSPM.
- Click this link to log into your GCP Console, which will navigate you to a list of your SQL instances.
- For the database instance you wish Netskope DSPM to scan, make note of the following value, which will later be used within Netskope DSPM for connecting your data store.
| Database Value | Corresponding Netskope DSPM Value | Example (See highlighted value) |
|---|---|---|
| Instance ID | Data Store Instance ID |  |
Connect Your Data Store
Step 1: Provide Credentials
Follow these steps to configure the connection:
-
Go to Data Stores > Data Store Inventory.
-
Click CONNECT A DATA STORE in the upper right.
Tip: Alternatively, if the data store was already found by auto-discovery, go to the Discovered tab and click Connect in the Actions column.
-
In the Connect a Data Store window, click the data store icon you wish to connect.
-
In the Provide Credentials section, complete the following fields:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Select GCP Account | Select one of the GCP Accounts defined within the Infrastructure Section screen. The field will default if there is just one GCP Account configured. |
| Data Store Identifier | Provide a friendly name to describe this data store. Your value is displayed in other Netskope DSPM screens, such as Policy Management and Classification Management. |
| Data Store Instance ID (If Snapshot Scan) | Enter the corresponding value from the Connection Information for Snapshot Scan step above. |
| Data Store Endpoint (If Netskope DSPM-specific credentials) | Enter the corresponding value from the Connection Information for Netskope DSPM-Specific Credentials step above, plus the port number. For example, for a Public IP address like 1.2.3.4, you would enter 1.2.3.4:1433. Note: 1433 is the default SQL Server port number. If you are using a custom port number, be sure to substitute it here. |
| Database Username (If Netskope DSPM-specific credentials) | Enter the corresponding value of the service user account created in the step Using Netskope DSPM-specific Credentials above. |
| Password (If Netskope DSPM-specific credentials) | Enter the corresponding value of the service user account password configured in the Using Netskope DSPM-specific Credentials section above. |
| Scan Frequency | Controls how often your Data Store is reviewed for changes, Netskope DSPM’s recommended frequency is defaulted, which you can override if desired. |
| Sidecar Pool | If you will use sidecars to monitor this data store, select a sidecar pool with network visibility to said data store. This field is displayed when there is at least one defined sidecar pool. To learn more, please visit our Sidecar Administration article. |
Step 2: Scanning Infrastructure
- Click Next.
- When the Select Capabilities tab appears, complete the following fields:
- Assign a Data Owner (Optional): Select one or more users responsible for this data store.
- Which databases should Netskope DSPM scan?: Select the specific data stores and schemas to monitor, if applicable.
- Features: Select the features you want to enable.
| Capability | Supported for GCP Cloud SQL for SQL Server via Netskope DSPM-specific Credentials | Supported for GCP Cloud SQL for SQL Server via Snapshot Scan |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery | Yes (always-on) | Yes |
| Privilege Analysis | Yes | No |
| Shadow Data Analysis | Yes | No |
| Classification | Yes | Yes |
| Data-In-Use Monitoring | No | No |
| Automation | Yes (always-on) | Yes |
Step 3: Review and Save
- Click Save.
- When the Review tab appears, the system validates your configuration. If there are any issues, follow the on-screen instructions to fix them.
- Click Save to finalize the connection.