What is Data Loss Prevention (DLP)?
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) describes tools and methods to prevent sensitive data, such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or business-critical intellectual property, from leaving an organization without proper authorization.
DLP software categorizes documents and emails and analyzes user behavior to restrict the transfer of data. The underlying rules and filters have to be maintained and adjusted by IT in coordination with other stakeholders to minimize workflow interruptions.
Organizations can apply DLP only to their internal data flow. Unlike Enterprise DRM, it does not protect confidential information once data has been intentionally or unintentionally exfiltrated. A typical example is an email mistakenly sent to the wrong address. Like antivirus software or web filters, DLP components have become a staple of information security in the enterprise. As part of the point solutions mix, they often complement particular applications or tools, such as cloud security services or Microsoft Purview.
Larger organizations frequently leverage DLP to ensure compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, or HIPAA. Critics blame DLP for creating a false sense of security and point to its blind spots (USB drives, SaaS file-sharing applications, enterprise messaging apps) and its focus on internal file downloads and sharing.
Why is DLP Important?
Businesses store and transfer customer information, intellectual property, and financial records electronically which increases the potential for unauthorized access and misuse of information. The lack of protection could result in consequences such as reputational damage, loss of customer trust, and fines for noncompliance with data privacy laws.
Implementing DLP can reduce the risk of data breaches. By installing content aware DLP, businesses can gain visibility into where their sensitive data is stored, how it is being used and by whom, and can then apply the appropriate security measures.
Challenges in Implementing DLP
While DLP may help with protection strategies, the implementation can be challenging. The sheer volume of email and documents to monitor can be overwhelming and balancing data privacy with user productivity can be a struggle. Sometimes businesses only use DLP to monitor rather than take action, because volumes can seriously impact productivity. Here are some challenges:
- Managing the volume of content to monitor
- Balancing data privacy and employee productivity
- Keeping up with evolving cyber threats
- Ensuing compliance with diverse data privacy regulations
- Achieving organization-wide adoption of DLP measures
Achieving Effective DLP
DLP goes beyond policy implementation. Businesses typically use a range of DLP tools to identify, monitor, and safeguard sensitive information throughout the organization.
- Network monitoring tools offer real-time insights into the flow of data across an organization’s network. These tools can detect unusual patterns, such as a large email attachment being sent outside the organization, serving as an early warning system for potential data breaches.
- By encrypting sensitive files and email attachments, businesses can ensure that even if unauthorized users gain access, they cannot decipher the content without the decryption key. While this is helpful it only addresses data at rest and data in motion and rarely applies to documents that leave the organization legitimately. Adding Enterprise DRM to DLP is a better solution.
- Endpoint security measures, such as antivirus software and firewalls, are crucial for DLP. These measures protect the devices that users use to access the organization’s network, safeguarding against threats like malware that could compromise sensitive information.
Integrating DLP with Other Data Security Measures
While DLP is an essential component of data security, it is not a standalone solution. It needs to be integrated with other data security measures, such as intrusion detection systems (IDS), security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and incident response plans, to provide a comprehensive defense against threats to content security. While these perimeter approaches to security are needed, they still leave gaps unless businesses encrypt sensitive files and apply access controls to them.
Reference: DRM and DLP: Comparison Made Simple (Fasoo Blog), Data Loss Prevention (NIST Computer Security Resource Center Glossary)
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