Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Data Loss Protection (DLP) is a security technology used to monitor, detect, and prevent unauthorized transmission of confidential or critical information. It is a part of a larger Information Security strategy. DLP solutions are used for a variety of reasons, including preventing the theft of intellectual property, maintaining regulatory compliance, protecting customer information, and preventing the misuse of data.

Data Loss Prevention involves both prevention and response, meaning that it requires measures to detect and identify incidents of unauthorized data access or transmission, and then respond to it. It requires implementation of controls that identify, monitor, and enforce various data usage policies. Policies can be designed to limit the life cycle of the data, from its creation to its retirement.

DLP tools can detect when data is sent to non-designated people and places, and either block it or encrypt it. Files can be scanned, webs traffic can be limited, and outgoing emails can be read to ensure that confidential information is not leaving the organization. Additionally, DLP can detect when people are attempting to move data to unauthorized locations.

As DLP is an integral part of every company’s information security strategy, they must ensure to choose a secure and reliable solution that fits their requirements.