Exterro Buys Divebell to Bolster Data Discovery Capabilities in Legal Software

Legal software player Exterro has bought Divebell, a company known for its data discovery software solution of the same name, Exterro Founder and CEO Bobby Balachandran wrote in a blog post.

The two companies already have a long-standing relationship as Divebell technology powers Exterro’s own Data Discovery tool. The acquisition comes at a time when legal leaders are expanding their responsibilities to encompass areas like cybersecurity, privacy, regulatory compliance, and others. 

“Because Exterro helps our clients manage massive amounts of data, we are uniquely positioned to recognize how incredibly timely and critical this technology can be to our current and prospective customers,” Balachandran said, noting how Divebell’s technology helps organizations navigate various aspects of data management.

Data Discovery technology covers e-discovery, privacy compliance, digital forensics, data compliance, and cybersecurity incident response. It enables organizations to identify data for litigation, track data under litigation hold, manage cross-border data obligations, and perform due diligence for mergers and acquisitions. The technology provides insights into data, serving as the foundation for various business operations.

Meanwhile, privacy regulations are on the rise, with numerous state and international regulations governing personal data. Compliance with these regulations becomes more accessible when organizations can pinpoint the location of personal data and link it to relevant regulations, reducing the risk of hefty fines.

The acquisition is also a strategic response to the increasing cybersecurity threats faced by organizations, Balachandran said. Divebell’s technology helps organizations secure sensitive data, manage data access, impose retention policies, and ensure timely data breach notifications.

“[Data discovery] allows organizations to harden defenses around personal data. It allows them to identify who has access to sensitive data and ensure that it’s not available to unauthorized users,” Balachandran wrote. “It allows organizations to impose retention policies, delete unneeded data wherever it exists, and reduce the scope of data at risk. And then, in the unfortunate event of a breach, it powers timely notification of authorities and data subjects before tight compliance deadlines.”

Read more about data privacy issues in Today’s General Counsel’s coverage of a recent Exterro webinar and this magazine story about the need for enterprises to revisit child privacy risk.