When data leaks are discussed, focus often shifts to network security, access controls, or endpoint protection. Yet many real-world incidents happen on a more basic level: what people can view, capture, or print. Screens get photographed without proper controls, documents are printed and left behind, and sensitive files are shared quietly beyond their intended audience.
This is where watermarking plays a considerable role. Whether visible or invisible, watermarking is not about blocking work, but about deterrence, accountability, and auditability at the point where information is exposed. Importantly, the discussion is not about which watermarking method is “better,” but about which approach fits each usage scenario.
The article explains how visible and invisible watermarking work, the risks they address, and how organizations can apply both approaches to meet different security and compliance requirements.