---
title: "A Comparison of all Data Types"
url: "https://dm0bkdes5q7a2ls.productfruits.help/en/article/a-comparison-of-all-data-types"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2026-07-06T22:55:23.012Z"
---

# A Comparison of all Data Types

This article presents a high-level comparison at all the standard (AnyFind) and Custom data types in Spirion Sensitive Data Platform.

To help you choose the right tool for your discovery needs, here is a comparison of all Spirion Data Types.

-   In Spirion, **AnyFinds**, **Keywords**, Regular Expression **(Regex)**, **Dictionaries**, and **SearchAPI** are "Detectors" - they find things.
-   **SDDs** and **Exact Match** are "Logic Layers" - they refine what was found.

### Comparison Table

| Data Type | Best Used For... | Logic Type | Complexity |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **AnyFind** | Common regulated data (SSN, Credit Cards, DOB). | Built-in / Pattern | Low (Out-of-the-box) |
| **Keyword** | Specific, literal words or phrases (for example, "Confidential"). | Literal String | Low |
| **Dictionary** | Large lists of known terms (for example, 5,000 client names). | Bulk Literal | Medium |
| **Regex** | Structured patterns (for example, Employee IDs like `EMP-12345`). | Pattern-based | Medium |
| **Exact Match** | Specific records from a database (for example, *your* customers). | Structured Data | High |
| **SearchAPI** | Complex, multi-step validation or checksums. | Custom Code | Very High |
| **SDD** | Contextual relationships (for example, SSN *near* a Name). | Orchestration | Medium |

### Detailed Breakdown

#### 1\. AnyFind (The Baseline)

-   **What it is:** Pre-configured, highly refined detectors provided by Spirion.
-   **Use Case:** Use these first for standard privacy data (PII, PCI, PHI). They include built-in validation to reduce false positives.

#### 2\. Keyword (The Simple Signal)

-   **What it is:** A search for a specific, literal string of text.
-   **Use Case:** Best for single terms like "Internal Use Only," "Project X," or specific legal disclaimers.

#### 3\. Dictionary (The Vocabulary)

-   **What it is:** A way to search for any match from a large list (uploaded as a file).
-   **Use Case:** Use this when you have a "controlled vocabulary," such as a list of all current product codenames or a list of sensitive vendors.

#### 4\. Regular Expression / Regex (The Shape)

-   **What it is:** A pattern-matching string (Perl syntax).
-   **Use Case:** Use when you know the *format* of the data but not the *value* (for example, a 10-digit internal account number that always starts with "99").

#### 5\. Exact Match / EDM (The Fingerprint)

-   **What it is:** A search against a hashed index of your actual database records.
-   **Use Case:** The "Gold Standard" for accuracy. Use this to ensure you only flag data that actually belongs to your organization (for example, matching a specific SSN to a specific Name in your HR system).

#### 6\. SearchAPI (The Power Tool)

-   **What it is:** Advanced detection logic that can include conditional checks and multi-step validation.
-   **Use Case:** Use when RegEx or Keywords aren't enough—for example, if you need to perform a mathematical checksum on a custom identifier to verify it's valid.

#### 7\. Sensitive Data Definition / SDD (The Context)

-   **What it is:** A logical rule that combines other Data Types using **AND, OR, NEAR,** or **NOT**.
-   **Use Case:** Use this to define "Risk Situations." For example, an Email Address by itself might be low risk, but an **Email Address** *near* a **Password** (Regex) is a high-risk SDD.

### Summary Recommendation

-   **If it's standard PII:** Use **AnyFind**.
-   **If it's a specific word:** Use **Keyword**.
-   **If it's a list of words:** Use **Dictionary**.
-   **If it's a formatted ID:** Use **Regex**.
-   **If it's a specific record from your DB:** Use **Exact Match**.
-   **If it's a combination of the above:** Use an **SDD**.