In financial institutions, every visible piece of information matters. From account statements to customer records, sensitive data often appears on screens or in print before it ever leaves the building. One global bank operating in the United States realized that while its digital protections were strong, what employees could see or print still posed a serious risk.
The bank’s compliance team faced a growing concern at its New York branch. Personally identifiable information (PII) was accessed daily as part of customer operations, but once data appeared on screen or was printed, there were no controls to prevent screenshots, photos, or unauthorized copies. This exposure threatened compliance with strict financial regulations and internal audit standards.
The organization needed a practical way to close this gap without disrupting daily workflows or deploying a full digital rights management solution.
Strengthening Compliance Through Visibility and Control
The bank’s objective was to improve its compliance posture by controlling how sensitive information is viewed and shared. To achieve this, the institution introduced advanced screen and print security technologies to prevent unauthorized capture and reinforce accountability.
The solution applied real-time watermarks as users viewed or printed sensitive data, embedding each page or screen with identifiers such as the company name, username, IP address, and timestamp. These visual markers served both as a deterrent and a traceable record in the event of a leak.
All screen capture actions, including using image and video capture tools, were detected and logged automatically, giving compliance teams full visibility into how regulated data was accessed and handled. This included both successful and unsuccessful attempts.
From Exposure to Accountability
The implementation extended beyond the screen. Sensitive documents printed within the branch were automatically marked with visible, user-specific watermarks. Every print job was recorded, capturing details about who printed what, when, and where. This included an image of what users printed, since maintaining a chain of custody was important for specific customer information.
For especially sensitive information, print restrictions could be applied automatically. In some cases, users were required to obtain approval before printing or were blocked entirely if the data contained regulated content such as financial statements or customer identification details.
This dual layer of visibility on screen and in print ensured that sensitive information was always traceable, even if it left the digital environment. Employees could continue their work uninterrupted, while the compliance team gained confidence that every action involving customer data was monitored and accountable.
Why Screen and Print Security Matter
Financial institutions invest heavily in encryption, access management, and endpoint protection. Yet breaches often occur through the simplest channels, such as a printed report left on a desk or a picture captured with a phone before a meeting. These overlooked moments create opportunities for accidental exposure or intentional misuse.
By combining screen and print controls, organizations can address this last layer of risk. Real-time watermarks discourage unauthorized sharing, while detailed activity logs provide a complete audit trail for compliance. Together, they transform every view, print, and capture action into a verifiable event.
This approach not only meets regulatory requirements but also strengthens internal governance and reduces insider threats, a growing concern across the financial sector.
Turning Compliance into Confidence
The bank’s initiative demonstrates that compliance can be strengthened without introducing complexity. By extending protection to what users see and print, the institution built a culture of accountability that aligns with both operational needs and regulatory expectations.
The new controls improved visibility across endpoints, created traceable audit records for regulators, and helped the organization maintain compliance with privacy mandates. At the same time, employees retained the flexibility to work efficiently while safeguarding sensitive client information.
A Smarter Path to Continuous Compliance
As this example shows, the final step in data protection lies in securing how information is viewed, printed, and shared. By integrating screen and print controls into everyday workflows, organizations can bridge the gap between policy and practice.
When every visual and printed record carries accountability, compliance becomes more than a requirement; it becomes confidence.