IBM Security

Data Visualization for Data Security Insights: Enhancing Data Interpretation with Vega Integration

In the evolving landscape of Guardium Insights platform, data visualizations play a crucial role in aiding users to interpret their data, risks, and security posture. While Carbon charts offer beautiful and accessible visualizations, they have been found cumbersome and limited in functionality by the Guardium Insights development team. By integrating Vega, an open-source data visualization library, we aimed to empower users with flexible and customizable visualization tool to enhance their data interpretation experiences while ensuring compliance with Carbon Design System standards.

As the project lead, I led the design initiative by conducting user and competitor research. Collaborating closely with a talented visual designer and a content designer, we delved into the nuances of data visualization within the realm of data security software.

Product

IBM Guardium Insights SaaS

Team

Development, Architect, Product Management, Sales

Role

As a product designer, I led the end-to-end design and research process, leveraging the expertise of the design team's visual and content designers where needed.

Timeline

2024 Q2

Context

“It’s primitive and not customizable.”

Guardium Insight's current visualization options are primitive, offering only bar and line charts. Consequently, users have predominantly relied on tabular reports, limiting their ability to explore alternative data interpretations.

Users sought for more visual methods for data analysis across various domains, including risk assessment, health monitoring, vulnerability assessment, and database connectivity as found in Guardium Data Protection product.

Recognizing the limitations of Carbon Charts in providing comprehensive insights, the development team sought to overcome these constraints leading us to explore Vega, an open-source data visualization library. Our goal was clear: to equip users with flexible and customizable visualization tools that would not only enhance their data interpretation capabilities but also ensure compliance with Carbon standards.

Approach

Concurrent Research, Design, Development Efforts for Expedited Implementation

To meet the demanding timeline for the private preview of the product, user research, design, and development were executed concurrently.

Research: I conducted secondary research on best practices in data visualization design and led the planning and execution of user research sessions with Tech Sellers to understand end users' needs in our data security platform.
Design: Collaborating with a visual and content designer, we created an intuitive and comprehensive data visualization experience, focusing on immediate user needs and iterative improvements.
Development: Building on the initial POC integrating Vega and Carbon charts, we delivered designs incrementally to expedite the implementation process. This agile methodology allowed us to deliver tangible solutions quickly.

Outcome

Vega as the Back Bone, Carbon as the Output

The integration of Vega has revolutionized the data visualization capabilities of Guardium Insight, addressing the limitations of Carbon charts and providing users with a comprehensive workflow for interpreting their data effectively. Through collaborative efforts in design, development and product management, we have successfully delivered a solution that meets user needs while meeting industry standards.