Data loss prevention detects, blocks and remediates sensitive information leakage caused by attackers or accidental insider breaches. It protects both on-premise systems as well as mobile endpoint devices from leaks of sensitive information.
Identification and prevention of unsafe or inappropriate sharing, transfer, and use of personal data; as well as supporting compliance with regulations like HIPAA.
Detection
Data breaches involving protected information being transmitted, used or viewed by an unauthorized individual are becoming increasingly frequent and are caused by various factors. Malicious actors, system failures and natural disasters all play a part; but often the greatest threat comes from within: employees unwittingly disclosing sensitive data by accident. That’s where DLP (Data Loss Prevention) comes into play.
DLP software tracks data entering and leaving the network, guarding files at both rest and use. It flags and blocks sensitive information in motion–for instance when employees attempt to bypass corporate policies by forwarding emails without approval or uploading files from work to consumer cloud storage services such as Dropbox.
DLP provides more protection than file security solutions as it detects data transfers and alerts security staff of potential breaches, including credit card numbers, personal identification data, license and medical record information and any other sensitive documents being moved across. This can be accomplished manually using rules or metadata or automatically via techniques like machine learning.
DLP is an essential element of any comprehensive cyber protection strategy, working alongside other solutions like incident response, endpoint detection and response and disaster recovery to keep sensitive information safe. As more businesses transition toward remote work arrangements and cyber attacks become more sophisticated, taking a proactive approach in protecting assets is becoming ever more crucial.
Prevention
Data loss prevention safeguards sensitive information by discouraging end users from sharing it in untrustworthy environments. DLP technology monitors both inbound and outbound data streams across networks as well as endpoint devices; violations may be detected either via user prompting or detection itself, with DLP solutions typically providing alerts, encrypting files or isolating files depending on which DLP solution they use to address these breaches.
Data breaches–incidents where confidential information is exposed to unapproved individuals or systems–are an ever-increasing threat to organizations of all sizes. They can be caused by malicious attackers as well as negligent or disgruntled employees, with devastating results for any organization’s reputation.
As such, security teams are under an increasing amount of pressure to safeguard business data loss, with greater challenges due to working with remote and dispersed workforces, cloud-based infrastructures and relying on flexible work models such as flexible contracts for staff. Furthermore, the scope of what constitutes sensitive data has broadened, from personal identifiable information (PII and PHI) and pricing models and methodologies requiring protection as more value exists within it than ever.
Encryption
Data loss prevention (DLP) solutions help organizations detect and prevent the unlawful transfer, exfiltration or destruction of sensitive or personally identifiable information such as credit card details, medical records or social security numbers. DLP solutions also assist organizations with complying with regulations like California Consumer Privacy Act, EU General Data Protection Regulation or Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
DLP solutions combine people, processes, and technology in an effort to detect suspicious activities and act on them effectively. They do so through both content inspection and contextual analysis of messages sent over messaging apps such as email and instant messenger; removable media; cloud storage or application platforms. Finally, these solutions identify, classify and tag sensitive or confidential business critical data with all its actions or events associated with it.
Encryption is a method of scrambling text so it can only be deciphered with an exclusive key or code, providing extra protection from hackers or attackers who could access personal data via the Dark Web.
With more employees working remotely and using personal devices and cloud storage solutions for work purposes, businesses run an increased risk of their sensitive data being lost or stolen. DLP solutions help safeguard devices, emails and files against theft or accidental release by mandating password protection and encryption on both files and emails.
Access Control
The best data loss prevention strategies employ both technology and policies to safeguard sensitive information from malicious insiders while also preventing unintended or accidental transfer outside an organization’s boundaries.
Logical access control safeguards confidential data, equipment, hardware documents and assets by requiring credentials such as passwords, pin codes, face recognition or fingerprint recognition to gain entry. Furthermore, it allows access control within rooms or buildings and tracks usage patterns to ensure maximum safety and compliance.
Physical access control works similarly, using keys, guest lists, security cameras and sensors to restrict who can enter a room or building. In addition to monitoring for suspicious activities and restricting untrustworthy individuals or inclement weather from entry in order to minimise potential damages or risks.
DLP software detects and blocks data from leaving the corporate network via email, cloud storage or any other channel. Data protection software can also protect data while it’s being used by alerting to unauthorise actions, such as screen capture or copy/paste of information that could reveal sensitive details, as well as attempts at sending this sensitive data to third parties. DLP provides security against threats that target privileged user accounts and abuse their permissions, commonly known as an “insider threat”. This may involve malicious employees or attackers who gain entry via compromised account credentials. Under MAC models, users have limited freedom in providing access to themselves; rather they receive clearances based on their job role and data classification (i.e. confidential, secret or top secret). Conversely, RBAC allows more granular control in terms of which permissions they receive from a central authority.