Data Discovery release notes

  • Release version: Store
  • Updated August 6, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Data Discovery release notes

    Data Discovery is a ServiceNow application designed to identify and manage sensitive data across your enterprise. It uses out-of-the-box (OOB) and custom regex patterns, AI/ML models, and advanced scanning techniques to discover, classify, and report sensitive information. This capability provides visibility and cataloging of sensitive data, which is crucial for preventing data loss and enhancing your organization's security posture.

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    Key Features

    • Advanced Data Pattern Detection: Utilizes Named Entity Recognition (NER) models to identify sensitive information such as addresses, cities, states, countries, job positions, and salaries. Includes 13 new OOB regex data patterns for comprehensive detection.
    • AI/ML-Based Discovery: Employs machine learning to detect sensitive data that does not follow predictable patterns (e.g., names, addresses) and supports discovery from attachments including Excel and CSV files.
    • Text-to-Generate Regex: Enables users to create regex patterns via Now Assist prompts, simplifying the discovery of sensitive data.
    • Enhanced User Interface: Features a revamped UI with intuitive widgets and guided setup to improve user experience and streamline configuration.
    • Data Discovery Policies: Provides streamlined configuration options to manage sensitive data discovery effectively.
    • Scanning Capabilities: Supports full and incremental scans at the column level, including real-time discovery APIs and support for journal fields.
    • Anonymization and Reporting: Includes features such as anonymization of users by group and consolidated findings to aid compliance and reporting requirements.
    • Compatibility and Updates: Regular patch releases address defect fixes and incorporate support for advanced technologies like NowLLM LTS for GenAI capabilities.

    What to Expect

    • Improved accuracy and efficiency in identifying sensitive data across various data sources within your ServiceNow environment.
    • A guided and user-friendly interface to help administrators and security teams configure and run data discovery tasks effectively.
    • Ongoing enhancements with AI-driven models to keep pace with evolving data security needs and regulatory compliance.
    • Integration readiness for advanced AI features and compliance with ServiceNow platform updates.
    • Support for discovering sensitive data in attachments and journal fields, expanding coverage beyond traditional tables.

    Version history for the Data Discovery on the ServiceNow Store.

    Important:
    For details on system requirements and family compatibility, view the application listing on the ServiceNow Store website.

    Version history

    Version 8.1.3 - August 2026
    Service now Otto Directive Changes.
    Version 7.1.4 - April 2026
    • No New functionality
    • Patch release to handle defects
    Version 8.1.0 - March 2026
    • New Named Entity Recognition (NER) model data patterns - Address, City, State, Country, Job Position, and Salary - to detect and anonymize sensitive data.
    • New OOB Regular Expression (RegEx) data patterns - 13 new data patterns
    Version 7.1.2 - January 2026
    • No new functionality
    • Patch release to handle defects
    Version 7.1.1 - December 2025
    • No new functionality
    • Patch release to add support for NowLLM LTS for GenAI capabilities
    Version 7.1.0 - September 2025
    • Text to generate Regex feature using Now Assist prompts to generate regex to discover sensitive data.
    • Revamped Data Discovery user interface.
    Version 7.0.0 - August 2025
    • Revamped Data Discovery user interface to improve the Data Discovery experience with intuitive widgets, a streamlined user experience, and a guided setup for first time users
    • AI/ML based data patterns for intelligent discovery of sensitive data that is already on the platform
    • Text to generate Regex feature using Now Assist prompts to generate regex to discover sensitive data
    • Data discovery policies to streamline configurations to discover sensitive data
    • Additional support for Excel and .CSV files for discovery and reporting of sensitive data from attachments
    • Full scan and incremental scan support for data discovery jobs
    • Column-level discovery of sensitive data
    Version 6.0.2 - July 2025
    • AI/ML based data patterns for intelligent discovery of sensitive data that doesn't follow a pattern like name, address, etc.
    • Discovery and reporting of sensitive data from attachments.
    Version 6.0.1 - February 2025
    • AI/ML based data patterns for intelligent discovery of sensitive data that doesn't follow a pattern like name, address, etc.
    • Discovery and reporting of sensitive data from attachments.
    Version 5.0.1 - August 2024
    Data Discovery for Real time, support for journal fields.
    Version 3.0.1 - February 2024
    • Data pattern discovery using keywords and keyword proximity
    • Real time Data Discovery APIs support
    Version 2.0.0 - November 2023
    • New:
      • Full scan on the targeted tables.
      • Anonymization of users by group
      • Consolidate findings
    • Changed:
      • Users can now select a start date for data discovery jobs
      • Bug fixes
    Version 1.0.0 - May 2023

    Data Discovery gives you the ability to discover sensitive data using out-of-the-box data patterns or by creating custom regex patterns to act on: For example, to classify, report, or view. It provides sensitive data with visibility and cataloging which is an essential first step towards preventing data loss or exposure. This enables organizations to implement appropriate security measures and increase their security posture.