Snowflake PCI Data Detection

Learn how to detect PCI data in Snowflake environments. Follow step-by-step guidance for PCI-DSS compliance.

data exposure

PCI-DSS

snowflake

Why It Matters

The core goal is to identify every location where payment card data is stored within your Snowflake environment, so you can remediate unintended exposures before they become breaches. Scanning for PCI data in Snowflake is a priority for organizations subject to PCI-DSS, as it helps you prove you've discovered and accounted for all sensitive cardholder assets—mitigating the risk of unauthorized access to payment information.

Primary Risk: Data exposure of payment card information

Relevant Regulation: PCI-DSS Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard

A thorough scan delivers immediate visibility, laying the foundation for automated policy enforcement and ongoing compliance.

Prerequisites

Permissions & Roles

  • Snowflake ACCOUNTADMIN or SECURITYADMIN role
  • USAGE privileges on databases and schemas
  • SELECT privileges on tables and views

External Tools

  • Snowflake CLI or SnowSQL
  • Cyera DSPM account
  • API credentials

Prior Setup

  • Snowflake account provisioned
  • Network policies configured
  • Service account created
  • Database schemas enumerated

Introducing Cyera

Cyera is a modern Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) platform that discovers, classifies, and continuously monitors your sensitive data across cloud services. By leveraging advanced AI and Named Entity Recognition (NER) models, Cyera automatically identifies payment card data patterns in Snowflake, including credit card numbers, CVV codes, and expiration dates, ensuring you stay ahead of accidental exposures and meet PCI-DSS audit requirements in real time.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Configure your Snowflake connection

Create a dedicated service account with minimal required privileges for scanning. Configure network policies to allow Cyera's scanning infrastructure.

CREATE USER cyera_scanner PASSWORD='...' DEFAULT_ROLE='PCI_SCANNER_ROLE';

2
Enable PCI data classification

In the Cyera portal, navigate to Integrations → DSPM → Add new. Select Snowflake, provide your account URL and service credentials, then configure PCI-specific detection rules for payment card patterns.

3
Integrate with compliance workflows

Configure automated alerts for PCI data discoveries. Set up integration with your compliance management system and establish workflows for immediate remediation of exposed cardholder data.

4
Validate results and implement controls

Review the initial PCI data discovery report, prioritize tables with unencrypted payment card data, and implement data masking or encryption controls. Schedule continuous monitoring to maintain PCI-DSS compliance.

Architecture & Workflow

Snowflake Information Schema

Source of metadata for databases, schemas, and tables

Cyera Connector

Pulls metadata and samples data for PCI classification

AI Classification Engine

Applies NER models and PCI detection patterns

Compliance Dashboard

PCI-DSS reporting, alerts, and remediation workflows

Data Flow Summary

Enumerate Databases → Send to Cyera → Apply PCI Detection → Generate Alerts

Best Practices & Tips

Performance Considerations

  • Start with high-risk databases first
  • Use statistical sampling for large tables
  • Schedule scans during off-peak hours

Tuning PCI Detection

  • Configure card type patterns (Visa, MasterCard, Amex)
  • Set Luhn algorithm validation
  • Adjust confidence thresholds for false positives

Common Pitfalls

  • Missing transient tables and temporary data
  • Overlooking shared databases from data marketplace
  • Neglecting to scan external stages and file formats

References & Further Reading

Next Steps

🛡️ Prevent: Implement PCI data protection controls 🔧 Fix: Remediate exposed PCI data findings