What is data loss prevention or DLP

What is data loss prevention or DLP

In order to avoid or reduce as much as possible the leakage of a company’s data, there are strategies and tools such as data loss prevention or DLP.

What is Data Loss Prevention and how does it work? 

Data loss prevention is a strategy applied by companies to prevent unauthorized persons from having access to confidential or sensitive information that is in their systems, networks, servers and other devices or tools.

We can talk about both DLP software or DLP solutions that are not unique tools, but complementary to each other, also linked to a set of internal policies to control all existing data flows.

Why is it important? 

There are several reasons and reasons for adopting data loss prevention systems, among which are:

• The reduction of internal threats (by the employees themselves) and external.
• The protection of the data of the company’s customers, contributing to the good reputation of the company being able to attract new business opportunities.
• Promote compliance with data protection regulations as they contribute to the implementation of security measures to avoid incidents such as security breaches.
• Avoid the imposition of fines for data loss, if it occurs.

In short, DLP systems favor companies in various areas and avoid losses that can be large.

Types of Data Loss Prevention 

Because data can be found in three different states that are (i) at rest, (ii) in motion, and (iii) in use. 

Therefore, taking into account these states, there are several types of DLP systems. Specifically:

• Dedicated DLP: consisting of a solution consisting of several tools that have been specifically designed to prevent data loss in any of the three states previously mentioned.
• Integrated DLP: it is a simpler type of DLP than the previous one, since it consists of tools integrated into others, in order to facilitate its installation on a large scale, but also giving customization options , although limited.
• Network DLP: allows the protection of data in motion and thus avoid leaks through email, websites or web applications, etc. As an unfavorable point to this type of DLP, the protection only stands out with respect to the equipment that is connected to internal networks, with the impossibility of blocking transfers to other mobile devices.
• Endpoint DLP: This type of DLP covers endpoint devices, thus preventing the transfer of data to other devices such as USB sticks, mobiles, external hard drives, etc.

Data Loss Prevention Best Practices 

In addition to the different types of DLP that companies can implement to prevent such data loss, they can carry out actions such as:

• Carry out inventories and evaluations: as a first step, companies must have knowledge of the data they have and for this a previous inventory is important.
• Classify the data available to the company: once all the available data has been evaluated, it is advisable to establish a classification framework for them.
• Implement data management policies: once these data have been classified, it is convenient to create policies for the management of them.
• Implement centralized DLP programs: it is convenient that there is a single global program for the entire company.
• Train employees: after all the above actions, it is important to raise awareness among workers and train them about these programs and procedures, so that they are as effective as possible.

From Letslaw, as experts in data protection, we can help your company to ensure data protection.