Which type of discovery collects all matching data elements for a specific purpose?

Metadata-based Discovery refers to the process of collecting data based on specific attributes or metadata that describe the content or characteristics of the data elements. This type of discovery is particularly effective for identifying and gathering relevant data that matches predetermined criteria, making it suitable for specific purposes such as compliance audits, legal investigations, or data governance initiatives. By leveraging metadata—which can include details such as file type, creation date, and author—organizations can pinpoint the exact data they need without sifting through all content manually.

This method enhances efficiency because it allows for targeted data collection based on defined parameters rather than through broader search mechanisms. In contexts where precision and relevance are critical, such as in legal cases or security incidents, being able to collect only the relevant matching data makes metadata-based discovery an essential tool for managing and maintaining cloud security practices.