Data loss prevention (DLP) is defined as a cybersecurity solution that detects and prevents breaches.
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The objective of data loss prevention (DLP) is to prevent users from sharing sensitive or critical information outside the corporate network. This is done by performing content inspection and contextual analysis of data sent via messaging applications, in motion over the network, in use on a managed endpoint device, and at rest in on-premises servers or in cloud apps and storage.
There are two broad categories:
- Enterprise DLP: Enterprise DLP is a comprehensive, packaged software solution for on-premises servers as well as physical and virtual appliances to monitor network and email traffic for data discovery.
- Integrated DLP: Integrated DLP is an extension of existing security solutions that offers more compact features that are easy to access.
Why is DLP important?
DLP plays a pivotal role in safeguarding organizations against data breaches, financial losses, and reputational harm. DLP helps with:
- Preventing Data Breaches: By detecting and blocking any attempts to transfer data that are not authorized.
- Maintaining Compliance: Guarantees compliance with regulatory requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and others.
- Protecting Intellectual Property: Prevents proprietary information from falling into the wrong hands.
- Enhancing Customer Trust: Creating trust by ensuring that customers' personal data is protected.
Types of DLP
Data loss prevention solutions come in a variety of formats, with each one being designed to safeguard data in particular environments. Comprehensive security is guaranteed by these solutions by addressing various vulnerabilities and data transfer points. Network DLP, endpoint DLP, email DLP, and cloud DLP each target distinct vectors of data movement and exposure.
Network DLP
The goal of network DLP is to protect data as it moves across the network. It monitors network traffic to detect and prevent unauthorized data transfers, ensuring that sensitive information does not leave the organization's boundaries. Network DLP solutions can prevent data breaches by blocking or flagging suspicious activities by analyzing data in motion.
Endpoint DLP
Data on endpoint devices like laptops, desktops, and mobile devices is secured using Endpoint DLP as it controls data access and usage directly at the endpoints, preventing data leaks from these devices. It allows users to monitor data movements on user devices and enforce policies to protect sensitive information from being copied or transferred without authorization.
Endpoint data loss prevention (Endpoint DLP) protects sensitive data on endpoint devices like laptops, desktops, and mobile phones by monitoring user activity and enforcing policies that control how data is accessed, used, and transferred. It helps prevent unauthorized sharing or exfiltration of information by restricting actions such as copying to USB drives, printing, or uploading to cloud services, thereby reducing the risk of data leaks, especially in remote or hybrid work environments.
Cloud DLP
As organizations increasingly rely on cloud services, Cloud DLP ensures that sensitive data in cloud applications and storage services remains secure. These solutions monitor and protect data within cloud platforms, helping to prevent data leaks and unauthorized access in a cloud-based infrastructure.
Email DLP
Email DLP focuses on protecting sensitive data shared through email communications. It scans outbound and inbound emails, including attachments and message content, to detect and prevent unauthorized data exposure. By enforcing policies and applying encryption or blocking actions, email DLP helps prevent data leaks caused by human error, phishing, or insider threats
How DLP security works
The purpose of data loss prevention is to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or exfiltration. This works through:
- Identification and Classification: DLP tools classify sensitive data using predefined rules or machine learning algorithms, enabling targeted protection measures and ensuring compliance. This supports organizations in recognizing financial data, personal information, and intellectual property.
- Data Monitoring: Continuous tracking detects anomalies and policy violations in real-time by monitoring data across endpoints, networks, cloud, and email. It generates alerts and enforces controls to prevent unauthorized data transfers, helping organizations maintain compliance and reduce risk.
- Policy Enforcement: Organizations need to define and enforce data handling rules. DLP tools help by blocking unauthorized actions, including cloud uploads. Regular audits with evolving risks and compliance requirements are required as well.
- Incident Response: DLP alerts security teams during potential data breaches. Incident response assesses severity and investigates.
Why DLP tools struggle to stop data exfiltration
Whether you leverage enterprise or integrated DLP, simply placing it on endpoints, email, or web gateways isn’t enough to prevent data exfiltration. DLP tools can be circumvented by slightly altering sensitive information such as spelling the credit card numbers, changing the numbers to roman numerals, or uploading a screenshot of PPI.
DLP tools can be very restrictive as they force businesses to require specific applications, versions, and file types based on the product’s limitations. And if a vulnerability is discovered in the supported version of software, it can’t be upgraded or downgraded until the DLP environment is updated as well. This is further complicated in modern infrastructures which are perimeter-less and continuously move data from on-premises servers to the cloud—or clouds.
A shift in mentality
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) combines capabilities from two discrete layers—network and security—that center around the data itself.
SASE employs a zero trust strategy to secure and optimize network connections for users and devices by assuming all devices and users are untrusted. The principle of "never trust, always verify” requires authentication and authorization to users both inside and outside the network perimeter before granting access to resources.
Types of data threats
For data loss prevention measures to be implemented effectively, it is crucial that the sources of data leakage are understood. Data threats come from a variety of sources, and identifying these threats helps in fortifying the security measures.
Phishing
Phishing is a type of cyberattack involving sending generic emails by cybercriminals pretending to be legitimate. These emails contain fraudulent links to steal user's private information. Phishing attacks are most effective when users are unaware this is happening.
Ransomware
Ransomware is malware that encrypts important files on local and network storage and demands a ransom to decrypt the files. Hackers develop this malware to make money through digital extortion.
Ransomware is encrypted, so the key cannot be forced and the only way to recover the information is from a backup.
Cyberattack
A cyberattack is an intentional and malicious attempt by an individual or group to breach the information systems of organizations or individuals to steal, disrupt, or alter data. As we are more reliant on digital technologies in the modern day, cyberattacks have become one of the most significant threats facing businesses and individuals.
Malware
Malware which is short for malicious software and is designed to infiltrate, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems. In cybersecurity, malware is a persistent threat which can steal sensitive information and can cause widespread damage to users and organizations.
Common data threats and leakage sources
External threats
External threats always come from outside the organization and are normally created by malicious actors such as hackers, cybercriminals, and state-sponsored entities. Effective DLP solutions, like Endpoint DLP, are important for detecting and mitigating these threats. Implementing robust DLP security measures helps protect against unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
Internal threats
The management of internal threats is normally challenging because they originate within the organization. The threats that are present include malicious insiders who intentionally leak or steal data, as well as accidental insiders who unintentionally cause data breaches. Implementing strong DLP policies and using endpoint DLP solutions can help monitor and control internal data activities by ensuring that sensitive information remains protected against both intentional and accidental internal threats.
Cyber security negligence
Negligence involves lapses in following security protocols, leading to unintentional data breaches. Common examples include using weak passwords, not updating software, and inadequate data encryption. DLP solutions can help to reduce the risks associated with negligence by enforcing security policies and providing regular reminders for best practices. Training and awareness programs are also essential in reducing negligent behavior and enhancing overall data security.
Who can help us manage DLP?
Managing data loss prevention (DLP) requires more than just blocking sensitive data from leaving the organization. It demands a proactive, intelligent approach to identifying, classifying, and protecting data across every layer of your environment.
Trend Vision One™ delivers a unified platform that simplifies and strengthens DLP by integrating endpoint and email security—two of the most common vectors for data exfiltration. With built-in data classification, policy enforcement, and user behavior analytics, Trend Vision One helps you detect and prevent data leaks before they happen.
Whether you're securing intellectual property, customer data, or regulated information, Trend Vision One empowers your teams with visibility and control across endpoints, email, and beyond from a single console.
Learn more about how Trend Vision One can help you manage DLP with confidence.
Michael Habibi is a cybersecurity leader with over 12 years of experience, specializing in product development and strategic innovation. As Vice President of Product Management at Trend Micro, Michael drives the alignment of the endpoint product strategy with the rapidly evolving threat landscape.