Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a security policy designed to protect a business' critical data from theft, loss or access by unauthorized users. A good DLP system is a combination of tools for data discovery and classification, data transfer and access control, policy and event management, and granular auditing and alerting.
What is the reason for data loss
- Data Breach : Data Breach (commonly known as Data Extrusion or Data Export) is the unauthorized transfer of data from a network or endpoint over the Internet, and it occurs mainly in two ways, by gaining physical access to the system or by using a malicious program .
- Human Error : Human error can be seen as the result of negligence, an inherent feature of our flawed nature, which can result from lack of awareness of data handling, failure to adhere to security protocols, and failure to report incidents. Furthermore, the inability to understand the magnitude of these problems compounded the problem.
- Insider Threats : Insider threats are threats from within, usually involving employees who have access to critical corporate data and knowingly exposing it. The motivation behind each insider threat is usually financial gain, reputational damage, or retaliation.
Why DLP Matters to Organizations
Understanding the reasons for data loss and acknowledging the potentially huge costs if such an incident occurs underscores the importance of a DLP system in any business. It's clear that a DLP system is no longer an option, but a necessity to protect the business from data loss, non-compliance, and insider threats. In the world of data management, DLP systems form this layer of defense. A DLP system in an enterprise will:
- Protect critical data within your organization.
- Classify enterprise data and limit unauthorized access.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and government regulations.
- Build trust and strengthen customer relationships.
- Reduce risks associated with insider threats.
- Monitor and control sensitive data transfers.
Some data loss prevention examples include:
- Limit the transmission of intellectual property via email or peripheral devices.
- Limit screen capture and clipboard usage to prevent sensitive data leakage.
- Control sensitive data transfers with private browsing or guest access.
How DLP works
DLP operates on three fundamental principles: detect, enforce, and protect.
- Detection : This phase involves identifying all data in the corporate network, regardless of its state (at rest, in use, or in motion). Having a complete view of all data in every state is the cornerstone of keeping it safe. After identifying the data, the next step is to classify the content according to its nature and its context. This classification helps determine the appropriate security measures required for each data type.
- Execution : After identifying and classifying sensitive data, the next step is to establish boundaries for transferring data across various mediums. These mediums include peripherals, cloud storage, email, web domains, and applications. While the safest approach is to simply block all sensitive data transfer attempts, such a strict approach can impact productivity.
Since the movement of sensitive data is critical to the functioning of any business, it is necessary to define clear boundaries and determine what can be transferred and over which medium. Most DLP systems do this by enforcing policies. - Protected : Sensitive data transfers are allowed within defined boundaries, but restricted when they exceed those boundaries. Often, users are unaware that the data they are trying to transfer is considered sensitive. Educating users about the sensitivity of certain content can help prevent inadvertent attempts to transmit sensitive data. From time to time, some data may be incorrectly classified as sensitive. In this case, the user can choose to raise a diff and the controller should adjust the policy accordingly.
What DLP tools do
DLP software ( Endpoint DLP Plus ) scans all data present on the enterprise network, classifies data based on what is sensitive to the enterprise, blocks unauthorized transfer attempts of sensitive data, resolves false positives, and provides ongoing auditing and incidents Report.
Data Loss Prevention Best Practices
- Define data rules
- Make sure you include trusted applications and domains in your policy
- Keep the data classification database updated
- Mark files downloaded via corporate domains as sensitive
Define data rules
There are countless data classification criteria based on another countless parameters. If you consider all available data classification standards, then all other files will be marked as sensitive, but doing so will affect the overall productivity of the business. What is sensitive to your country, industry or organization may not be sensitive to others. So concrete is the way to go. It is recommended to define data rules specific to your country and business-specific needs.
Make sure you include trusted applications and domains in your policy
Every business has an integral set of applications, domains, devices, printers, etc. to run smoothly, and when deploying a data loss prevention strategy, remember to include these integral To achieve data security.
Keep the data classification database updated
As security standards continue to evolve, it is fairly common for new data classification rules to be introduced, as well as regular enhancements to existing data rules. Because these regulations are being improved all the time, it is very possible to miss the latest update. However, taking advantage of these necessary updates is critical to ensuring that your deployed security policies are up-to-date and secure. Despite your network limitations, it is recommended that your server connect to the internet through appropriate proxy settings.
Mark files downloaded via corporate domains as sensitive
If a file is downloaded through a corporate domain, there is a good chance it contains sensitive data. To be on the safe side, always mark files downloaded through a corporate domain as sensitive. This is a proactive way to identify and protect corporate data.
Endpoint DLP Plus protects sensitive data on managed endpoint devices from disclosure and theft by deploying advanced data loss prevention policies that detect and classify data, define rules for usage authorization, and secure transmission.