---
title: Create new policy
description: Create a Data Discovery policy to begin scanning tables for data patterns.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/platform-security/data-discovery/dds-new-policy.html
release: australia
product: Data Discovery
classification: data-discovery
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-03-12"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [Data Discovery policy, Data Discovery Store, Data Discovery, Platform Privacy]
---

# Create new policy

Create a Data Discovery policy to begin scanning tables for data patterns.

## Before you begin

Role required: discovery.admin

## Procedure

1.  Navigate to **All** > **Data Discovery** > **Policy**.

2.  Select the **Create new policy** button.

    Edit or delete an existing policy by selecting the three dots \[Omitted image "dds-dot-icon.png"\] Alt text: Three dots expandable icon.

3.  Fill in the fields of the pop-up window.

<table id="table_tjx_g1g_cgc"><thead><tr><th>

Field

</th><th>

Description

</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>

Name

</td><td>

Enter a unique name for the policy

</td></tr><tr><td>

Data patterns

</td><td>

Select which sensitive data patterns to scan for. You can select multiple data patterns**Note:** AI/ML model based data patterns require an additional license and are subject to additional terms and conditions.

</td></tr><tr><td>

Select user tables and columns

</td><td>

Check the table\(s\) to be scanned**Note:** All selected table columns will be scanned by default. See the step below to narrow your selection to specific columns

</td></tr><tr><td>

Selected tables and columns

</td><td>

Displays a list of currently selected tables and columns for the policy

</td></tr></tbody>
</table>4.  Select the arrow \[Omitted image "dds-arrow-icon.png"\] Alt text: Select the arrow icon to view and select specific columns of the table.

5.  Select **Save**.


## Result

By default the new policy will be set to **Active**. Select the three dots \[Omitted image "dds-dot-icon.png"\] Alt text: Three dots expandable icon and select **Deactivate policy**/**Activate policy** to switch its state.