DATA LOSS PREVENTION

 

DATA  LOSS  PREVENTION

Data Loss Prevention (also known as DLP) is a set of software applications and policies. Its objective is to monitor the information in the system and avoid the possibility of losing or violating data for various reasons.

There are three types of data that require special handling:

·       Intellectual property: source code, design documents, process documentation

·    Corporate data: legal and financial documents, strategic planning documents, employee information

·  Customer data: personal data such as name, address, telephone number, location, preferences, social security numbers, credit cards, medical records, financial statements, etc.

In general, the main focus of data loss prevention software is:

·      Keep data safe in use, on the go, and at rest

·      Endpoint data movement monitoring

·      Vulnerability prevention, that is, disclosure of confidential information (either intentionally or by accident)

 

Additionally, DLP software helps identify the source of insider information leakage in the event of a data breach.

To do this, it provides security measures and fixes weak points in the data processing process that is, providing encryption for sensitive data and performing routine backups.

 

How does data loss prevention software work?

A DLP solution is about identifying sensitive data, managing its access, and taking steps to keep it safe.

 

Ø  It revolves around monitoring and analysis tools that:

·       Determine whether a particular data transaction is legitimate or threatens company assets

·     Take appropriate measures to maintain data security.

 

Ø  The data loss prevention operation revolves around two concepts:

·     Knowledge of content: information and its role in the business operation

·   Contextual analysis: that is, the medium of the content and its internal presentation together with the intentions to use data 

 

Ø  In terms of action, data loss prevention practices revolve around the following methodologies:

 

·      Encryption: used for basic protection of confidential data in storage and transit

·      Cryptographic hash: used for the anonymity of personally identifiable data

·    Data fingerprints to identify and trace data in the system (generally for read, hashing and storage activities)

·     Routine information backups - Used to keep sensitive data versions intact, especially in the event of accidental or unauthorized changes, moves, or deletions.

 

Types of Data Loss Prevention Solutions

There are three main types of data loss prevention software. It is important to note that these DLP tools are used interchangeably for various purposes.

 

1.    Network DLP - The type of DLP solution where the solution integrates with all data points on the network. This type of DLP is commonly used in corporate networks as a precautionary measure, due to the high volume of various data operations. Network DLP monitors the status of data on the network and maintains an extensive record of its movements and transformations. In a way, it's a kind of failsafe option that avoids both routine chances of data loss and diligent malice.

 

2.    DLP Storage: This type of DLP software is for data in cloud stores. Its main focus is maintaining the confidentiality and security of the data in the data warehouse.
The procedure incorporates the monitoring of the confidential data in the storage and the administration of its access configuration. In a way, it's a kind of alarm surveillance service.

 

3.    Endpoint DLP: This type of DLP solution is designed to monitor the exchange of data from one point to another, that is, device, storage or account. For example, when sharing a document with a third party outside the system, the document is automatically locked and it is necessary to manually enable access to the outside.

Besides sharing, the endpoint DLP also watches over clipboards and even physical devices. While physical storage is not that popular now, it is still used. However, physical devices can break and this can lead to data loss.

Endpoint DLP is similar to Network DLP. It monitors where data is going and what happens to it, but unlike Network DLP, it is based on workstations. Therefore, it handles only one source of data operations.

Importance of adopting a data loss prevention policy

The DLP market is not new, but it has evolved to include managed services, cloud functionality, and advanced threat protection. All of this, coupled with the upward trend in data breaches, has seen a massive increase in the adoption of DLP as a means of protecting sensitive data.

The trends that are driving the wider adoption of DLP are:

 

·         The growth of the CISO role: More companies have hired and are hiring Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), who often report to the CEO. The DLP policy offers significant business value to the company and provides CISOs with the option to produce reports necessary to provide regular updates to the CEO.

 

·         Evolving Compliance Mandates - Global data protection regulations are constantly changing and your organization needs to be adaptable and prepared. In the past two years, lawmakers have passed regulations that have tightened data protection requirements. DLP solutions allow organizations the flexibility to evolve with changing global regulations.

 

·         There are more places to protect your data: Increased use of the cloud, complicated supply chain networks, and other services over which you no longer have full control have made data protection more complex.

 

·         Data breaches are frequent and large: Nation state adversaries, cybercriminals, and malicious experts are attacking sensitive data for various reasons, including corporate espionage, personal financial gain, and political advantage. DLP guarantees protection against all types of enemies, malicious or not. In recent years, there have been thousands of data breaches and many more security incidents. Billions of records have been lost in data breaches.

 

·         Your organization's stolen data is worth more: Stolen data is often sold on the Dark Web, where individuals and groups can buy and use it for their own benefit. With certain types of data selling for up to a few thousand dollars, there is a clear financial incentive for data theft.

 

·         There's more data to steal: The definition of what is sensitive data has expanded over the years. Sensitive data now includes intangible assets, such as pricing models and business methodologies. This means that your organization has more data to protect.

 

·         There is a security talent shortage: The security talent shortage is not going away anytime soon and you have probably already felt its impact on your own organization. With DLP services we can make up for this lack of specialized personnel.