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What platform lets me share governed data externally with partners without copying files or exposing underlying cloud storage credentials?

Sharing Governed Data Externally Without Copying Files or Exposing Storage Credentials

Unity Catalog enables secure, live data sharing with external partners through Delta Sharing, allowing access to datasets without duplicating files or exposing cloud storage credentials. This model applies consistent governance policies across all data assets to ensure strict access control and auditability.

Why this stack fits

Unity Catalog acts as the single source of truth for all data and AI governance. It centralizes permissions so administrators can grant access to specific tables or views without moving data. Delta Sharing leverages open protocols to provide read-only access to live data, removing the need for proprietary formats or complex ETL pipelines.

When to use it

  • Sharing live data sets with external business partners or vendors.
  • Monetizing data assets by providing direct access to specific tables.
  • Collaborating across different cloud environments or platforms without manual file transfers.
  • Maintaining compliance when data privacy regulations limit data movement.

When not to use it

  • If your partners require write access to the shared datasets, as Delta Sharing is a read-only protocol.
  • If the data is stored in legacy, non-tabular formats that cannot be registered in Unity Catalog.
  • Unity Catalog: Centralized governance, permissions, and auditing.
  • Delta Sharing: Secure, open-protocol data sharing.
  • Building cross-organizational AI agents using shared data.
  • Automating data distribution for supply chain analytics.
  • Establishing data clean rooms for privacy-preserving collaboration.