Kernel-level observation
Aurva uses eBPF telemetry to observe runtime data access without requiring application-side SDK instrumentation.
A closer look at data security
Aurva vs Imperva
Compare database monitoring and privacy capabilities alongside the runtime context needed to understand data use across cloud services and AI systems.
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The Aurva approach
Bring runtime context into the picture.
Live data lineage
Trace sensitive data between services and toward third parties, bringing movement context into security and privacy investigations.
AI access in context
Connect AI protocol visibility and agent identities to the data they access, alongside database security workflows.
Capability by capability
Compare the details.
Explore coverage across data security, privacy, AI, and deployment.
FullPartialNot availableNot applicableNot specified
These comparisons reflect Aurva’s assessment. Coverage can vary by product edition, configuration, and deployment. “Not specified” means a rating is unavailable in this assessment. Infrastructure and commercial attributes are descriptive, not coverage ratings.
Data security posture
Discover sensitive data, assess exposure, and connect identities to data assets.
| Capability / attribute | Aurva | Imperva |
|---|---|---|
| Structured & unstructured data discoveryDiscovery across databases, object stores, and warehouses. | Full | Partial |
| Data classification: regex, context & AISensitive data such as PII, PAN, Aadhaar, financial information, and custom types. | Full | Partial |
| Posture ScoringRisk score per asset: sensitivity, exposure, misconfig | Full | Full |
| Access Exposure AnalysisOverprivileged identities, dormant access | Full | Partial |
| Misconfiguration DetectionUnencrypted DBs, external snapshots, public buckets | Full | Partial |
| Shadow Data / Dark Data DetectionUnknown/unregistered data assets | Full | Partial |
| Identity-to-Data MappingHuman + NHI + AI agent access linked to data assets | Full | Partial |
Database activity monitoring
Compare query visibility, investigation context, and database controls.
| Capability / attribute | Aurva | Imperva |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Query MonitoringCapture database operations as they occur. | Full | Full |
| Identity-Aware MonitoringBind query to human / app / AI identity | Full | Partial |
| ML-based anomaly detectionBehavioural baselines, insider threat | Full | Full |
| Blocking across heterogeneous databasesQuery-level + IP-level blocking in real-time | Full | Partial |
| Dynamic Masking / RedactionMask sensitive data for unauthorised users | Full | Full |
| Vulnerability AssessmentDB config, patch, privilege vulnerabilities | Full | Full |
| SQL context & sensitive response metadataContext about queries and the sensitive fields returned, such as date of birth or account number. | Full | Partial |
| Cloud database monitoring overheadQualitative CPU and memory impact; actual overhead varies by workload and configuration. | Low | Moderate |
| IAM Permission AnalysisAnalyze identity and access management permissions. | Full | Not available |
| Obfuscated Sensitive Data DiscoveryDiscover sensitive data that has been obscured or transformed. | Full | Not available |
| Database schema scanningInspect database schemas. | Full | Not available |
| Blocking in cloud environmentsApply database query blocking in cloud environments. | Full | Not available |
| Overprivileged access identificationIdentify identities with more access than they need. | Full | PartialModerate |
Data flow & lineage
Understand how sensitive data moves between services and external destinations.
| Capability / attribute | Aurva | Imperva |
|---|---|---|
| Live Data LineageReal-time flow: origin → movement → egress | Full | Not available |
| Cross-Service Flow MappingData movement between microservices/apps | Full | Not available |
| Third-Party / Egress VisibilityDetect PII flowing to external vendors | Full | Not available |
| API / network-level tracingRuntime tracing through OS-level telemetry. | Full | Not available |
| DPIA Support via Data MapsAuto-generated data maps for DPIA | Full | Partial |
Privacy & data maps
Compare support for Records of Processing Activities (RoPA) and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA).
| Capability / attribute | Aurva | Imperva |
|---|---|---|
| RoPA AutomationAuto-generate Records of Processing Activities | Full | Partial |
| DPIA SupportData Protection Impact Assessment reports | Full | Partial |
| Live Data MapsReal-time visibility for privacy officers | Full | Not available |
| Regulation coverageSupport across the regulations and standards assessed below. | Full | Full |
Data subject requests
Compare data discovery and workflow support for data subject access requests (DSARs).
| Capability / attribute | Aurva | Imperva |
|---|---|---|
| DSAR FulfilmentLocate a data subject's data across all assets | Full | Partial |
| Automated DSAR WorkflowEnd-to-end DSAR request handling | Partial | Partial |
| Cross-Cloud DSAR CoverageStructured + unstructured + SaaS | Full | Partial |
AI security
Explore model telemetry, agent protocols, identities, and data access governance.
| Capability / attribute | Aurva | Imperva |
|---|---|---|
| AI-SPMSecurity posture management for AI systems | Full | Not available |
| LLM / Model-layer MonitoringRuntime telemetry of LLM inputs/outputs/RAG | Full | Not available |
| MCP / ACP / A2A protocol visibilityVisibility into Model Context Protocol, Agent Communication Protocol, and Agent2Agent communications. | Full | Not available |
| AI Agent Identity BindingLink AI agent actions to real identities | Full | Not available |
| Shadow AI DetectionDiscover unauthorised AI usage of data | Full | Not available |
| Prompt Injection / Data Egress DetectionDetect PII leaking via AI prompts | Full | Not available |
| GenAI / LLM Access GovernanceControl which data AI can access | Full | Not available |
Compliance support
Compare support for compliance workflows and control templates. These ratings do not represent certifications.
| Capability / attribute | Aurva | Imperva |
|---|---|---|
| GDPR | Full | Full |
| DPDPA (India) | Full | Partial |
| PCI-DSS | Full | Full |
| SOX | Full | Full |
| HIPAA | Partial | Full |
| RBI / SEBI (India) | Full | Not available |
| Prebuilt compliance templates | Full | Full |
Deployment
Review architecture and deployment options against your environment.
| Capability / attribute | Aurva | Imperva |
|---|---|---|
| SaaS / Cloud-native Deployment | Full | Full |
| On-premises deployment | Full | Full |
| eBPF-based monitoring architecture | Full | Not available |
| Kubernetes / container-native support | Full | Partial |
| Monitoring without application API / SDK instrumentationWhether monitoring can be deployed without application API or SDK instrumentation. | Full | Not available |
Ownership considerations
Qualitative infrastructure requirements from Aurva’s assessment. Actual resource needs and costs depend on your deployment.
| Capability / attribute | Aurva | Imperva |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware requirements for DAM | Low | High |
| Hardware requirements for high availability | Low | Moderate |
| Application traffic collection approachSource assessment of application traffic collection; this is not a measure of feature availability. | Native integration | Uses CloudWatch |
Company & commercial context
Compare primary focus, India readiness, and commercial models.
| Capability / attribute | Aurva | Imperva |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Market Focus | Cloud-native, AI-era security | Enterprise data security |
| India / DPDPA ReadinessIndia-focused compliance support in this assessment. | FullBuilt-in | Partial |
| Pricing Model | Subscription / SaaS | Enterprise License |
Why teams choose Aurva
Where Aurva stands apart from Imperva.
Aurva adds the runtime context that teams need when database monitoring alone cannot explain how sensitive data is being used or where it moves next.
- Observe data access through eBPF without introducing application SDKs or proxy and tap infrastructure.
- Build live, cross-service lineage for sensitive data and use those data maps to support RoPA and DPIA workflows.
- Connect LLM and AI agent activity to real identities, including visibility into MCP, ACP, and A2A communications.
Your environment. Your priorities.
See how Aurva fits your data stack.
Walk through the capabilities that matter to your team with an Aurva specialist.
