Data Sharing Patterns in Snowflake

What is Data Sharing in Snowflake

Data Sharing is a Snowflake feature that allows you to share your Snowflake Data with users in other Snowflake accounts.

Why would it make any sense to use Snowflake Data Sharing compared to sharing data over files, exports, or providing direct database access? Benefits include secure sharing without data movement, real-time availability, and built-in governance.

Note: The Provider is the data owner. The Consumer is the party consuming that data.

Understanding the Components

There are five main features of Snowflake Data Sharing:

1. Secure Data Sharing
2. Snowflake Shares
3. Readers Accounts
4. Marketplace
5. Exchange Hub

Direct Data Sharing, Data Listing, and Data Exchange are enhanced versions of Secure Data Sharing. Readers Accounts with Snowflake Shares enable Data Sharing with non-Snowflake consumers.

Marketplace Listing

Snowflake Marketplace is a central hub for DaaS (Data As A Service) and Application As a Service. Organizations can share and monetize data directly within the platform through a completely self-service approach, with consumers accessing data in real time.

Free Listing: Available privately or on the Snowflake Marketplace, providing instant access to published datasets.

Private Listing: Enables data sharing directly with another Snowflake account in any Snowflake region.

Paid Listing: Available privately or on the Snowflake Marketplace, allowing providers to charge consumers for access.

Personalized Listing: Allows consumers to request specific datasets from providers.

Data Sharing Decision Tree

A decision tree guides selection between Data Sharing and reader accounts, helping determine when to use free listings, personalized listings, and how to share data with non-Snowflake consumers or those in different regions.

Data Sharing Patterns In Snowflake

Four primary patterns are defined using: use-case, pattern details, pattern consideration, implementation steps, and cost considerations.

Pattern 01: Sharing with Non-Snowflake Consumers

This pattern addresses sharing data with organizations not on Snowflake through reader accounts.

Pattern 02: Sharing with Snowflake Consumer in the Same Region & Cloud

Direct sharing between Snowflake accounts in identical regions and cloud environments.

Pattern 03: Sharing with Snowflake Consumers in Different Regions and Cloud

Cross-region and cross-cloud data sharing capabilities for distributed Snowflake deployments.

Pattern 04: Sharing with Snowflake Consumers on Snowflake Marketplace

Leveraging marketplace listings to reach and monetize data for Snowflake consumers.

Data Sharing Security Considerations

• Be cautious with role and privileges when sharing reader accounts
• PII/PHI data sharing requires careful consideration and is generally inadvisable
• Share only with trusted users and organizations
• Revoke access when no longer needed
• Monitor data access to identify unnecessary accesses
• Role-based access control (RBAC): Snowflake uses RBAC to control access levels for different users and groups
• Auditing: Track who accessed your data and associated metadata
• Encryption: Data is encrypted at rest and in transit for protection

Conclusion

Snowflake Data Sharing is a native platform feature enabling data sharing and consumption without data movement, while maintaining governance and ensuring near real-time data availability.