Top 10 Data Loss Prevention Software
Compare the best data loss prevention (DLP) software solutions. Explore their key features which facilitate the discovery, monitoring, and protection of sensitive data.
Written by
Mirren McDade
Technical Review by
Laura Iannini
Quick Summary
For security teams tracking insider threats and risky user behavior, Teramind delivers real-time endpoint monitoring and behavioral DLP with live session recording and policy-driven lockouts.
For mixed OS environments requiring granular device control, Endpoint Protector by CoSoSys provides true cross-platform DLP across Windows, macOS, and Linux with content-aware scanning from one console.
For organizations already running Check Point firewalls, Check Point DLP inspects encrypted traffic inline and offers a two-tier model that scales from basic pattern matching to full dictionary-based controls.
Data loss prevention feels straightforward until you deploy it. You realize scanning everything generates noise that drowns out real risk. Network-level tools miss endpoint transfers. Email DLP catches credential patterns but lets other sensitive data through. You end up managing multiple point solutions, tuning policies endlessly, and hoping auditors don’t ask why you’re blocking legitimate business activity.
The real problem isn’t finding DLP. It’s finding a platform that catches what actually matters without false positives that force users toward workarounds.
We evaluated 10 DLP solutions across cloud, network, and endpoint deployments, evaluating each for detection accuracy against both structured and unstructured data, policy flexibility without overwhelming administrators, operational usability, and integration depth with existing infrastructure. We also reviewed customer feedback to identify where vendor claims diverge from actual false positive rates and compliance benefit.
This guide helps you match the right DLP platform to your infrastructure, compliance requirements, and how much administrative overhead you can realistically sustain.
Our Recommendations
We found that DLP strategies fail not because of the technology, but because teams pick tools that don’t match their actual infrastructure and threat model. The strongest implementations start with clarity on where your data actually leaves the network.
- Best For Insider Threat Monitoring: Teramind: Live desktop streaming and session recording give second-by-second visibility into user activity.
- Best For Cross-Platform Device Control: Endpoint Protector by CoSoSys: True cross-platform DLP across Windows, macOS, and Linux from a single console.
- Best For Check Point Infrastructure: Check Point DLP: Two-tier model lets you start with basic content rules and scale to full DLP controls.
- Best For Advanced Classification: Forcepoint DLP: Over 1,500 pre-built classifiers with structured and unstructured data fingerprinting included.
- Best For Budget-Conscious Deep Detection: GTB Technologies DLP: Binary and text level content detection provides deeper inspection than most DLP competitors.
- Best For M365 Environments: Microsoft Purview Information Protection: Native integration across SharePoint, OneDrive, Exchange, Teams, and endpoints from a unified admin console.
- Best For People-Centric Email DLP: Proofpoint Enterprise Data Loss Prevention: People-centric approach combines content, behavior, and threat telemetry for intent-based detection.
- Best For Lightweight Compliance DLP: Trend Micro Integrated DLP: Lightweight plugin adds DLP to existing Trend Micro deployments without a separate agent.
- Best For Modular Enterprise DLP: Trellix Data Loss Prevention: Modular suite lets you deploy Discover, Prevent, Monitor, and Endpoint independently as requirements grow.
- Best For Zero Trust Architectures: Zscaler Cloud DLP: Cloud-native DLP follows users on and off the network with full SSL traffic inspection.
Teramind is a user activity monitoring and behavioral DLP platform built for security teams tracking insider threats. It pairs real-time endpoint monitoring with policy-driven alerts, giving you visibility and the ability to act when something looks wrong.
Real-Time Monitoring That Actually Works
We found the live desktop streaming and session recording to be standout features. You get second by second visibility into user activity, with video playback of any flagged incident. The admin console is clean and modern, making it easy to drill into specifics.
The rule engine defines specific triggers for risky behavior, from unauthorized USB use to suspicious file transfers. When a rule fires, it can alert you, lock the device, or block the action. We saw strong DLP controls around email content, attachments, and network data tied to PII and financial data policies.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers say the granular activity tracking pays off quickly for investigations and compliance. Support gets consistent praise for responsive resolution and dedicated account management.
On the flip side, users have flagged the initial setup as rough, with technical issues causing early disruption.
Where Teramind Fits Best
We think Teramind is a strong pick if your priority is insider threat detection with deep activity visibility. It works best for Windows-heavy environments where you need granular user monitoring tied to DLP enforcement.
Strengths
- Live desktop streaming and session recording give second by second visibility into user activity.
- Customizable rule engine triggers alerts, lockouts, or blocks on risky behavior automatically.
- Strong behavioral DLP inspects email content, attachments, and network transfers for sensitive data.
- Clean, modern admin console makes drilling into specific incidents straightforward.
Cautions
- Based on customer reviews, initial setup phase involves technical issues that can disrupt early adoption.
- Some users mention that the admin interface has a steep learning curve with many nested settings and modules.
Endpoint Protector by CoSoSys is a cross platform DLP solution covering Windows, macOS, and Linux. It focuses on stopping data leaks at the endpoint through device control, content inspection, and e discovery.
Granular Device Control With Built-In Content Scanning
Device control is where Endpoint Protector earns its keep. You get granular lockdown of USB and peripheral ports, filtered by vendor ID, serial number, and other parameters. We found the content aware protection effective for scanning files in transit, blocking or flagging transfers based on what the data actually contains rather than just where it is going.
The e discovery module lets you locate, encrypt, or delete sensitive data across endpoints through manual or automated scans. Predefined policies speed up initial deployment, and the central admin dashboard handles real time alerts from one place.
Reliable Cross-Platform Coverage, Dated Interface
Customers say the cross platform coverage works well in practice, with quick deployment and reliable device control across mixed OS environments. Support response times get positive marks. The policy engine earns praise for being straightforward to configure.
Users have flagged the UI as dated and not always smooth to navigate. Fine tuning policies across different teams takes time upfront. Some customers note that the agent can feel heavy on endpoints, and Linux reporting lacks the depth of the Windows and macOS equivalents.
Practical DLP for Mixed OS Environments
We think Endpoint Protector fits well if your environment runs mixed operating systems and you need DLP that works consistently across all three. It is a practical choice for teams focused on USB control and content-aware protection tied to compliance requirements like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
Strengths
- True cross platform DLP across Windows, macOS, and Linux from a single console.
- Granular USB and peripheral control filtered by vendor ID, serial number, and device type.
- Content aware scanning inspects file contents in transit, not just file names or destinations.
- E discovery module locates, encrypts, or deletes sensitive data at rest across endpoints.
Cautions
- Some customer reviews note that the UI feels dated and navigation is not always intuitive for new administrators.
- According to customer feedback, policy fine tuning across multiple teams requires significant upfront configuration time.
Check Point DLP
Check Point DLP is a network-level data loss prevention tool that inspects traffic passing through Check Point firewalls. It comes in two tiers: Content Awareness for basic pattern matching and the full DLP blade for granular dictionary-based controls, template matching, and file watermarking.
Two Tiers of Protection, One Firewall Platform
The tiered approach is a smart design choice. Content Awareness gives you a lightweight starting point with unified policy rules and keyword matching. Step up to the full DLP blade and you get dictionary matches, template-based scanning, file repository inspection, and watermarking through CpCode scripting.
We found the pre-defined configurations for PII, PCI, and HIPAA useful for fast initial setup. Traffic inspection covers SMTP, FTP, HTTPS webmail, and Exchange, including SSL/TLS encrypted traffic. Multi-language user notifications add flexibility for global deployments.
Strong Ecosystem, Limited DLP-Specific Feedback
Customer feedback specific to Check Point DLP is limited in recent reviews. The broader Check Point ecosystem gets praise for centralized management and strong encryption capabilities. Customers consistently highlight the central console as a strength for policy and event management.
Where DLP-specific feedback is thin, the pattern we saw across the wider product line points to solid security fundamentals but setup that demands preparation. That tracks with the DLP configuration, which offers depth but requires upfront investment to tune properly.
Best Fit for Existing Check Point Shops
We think Check Point DLP makes the most sense if you already run Check Point firewalls. The tight integration means you avoid adding another vendor to your stack. The two-tier model lets you start light and scale up as your data protection needs grow.
Strengths
- Two-tier model lets you start with basic content rules and scale to full DLP controls.
- Pre-defined PII, PCI, and HIPAA configurations accelerate initial policy deployment.
- Inspects SSL/TLS encrypted traffic inline, covering SMTP, FTP, HTTPS, and Exchange.
- Native integration with Check Point firewalls eliminates the need for a separate DLP appliance.
Cautions
- The platform is network-level only, so it does not cover endpoint data transfers outside the firewall perimeter.
- Requires existing Check Point infrastructure to deploy, limiting standalone appeal.
Forcepoint DLP
Forcepoint DLP is a data loss prevention platform in two tiers: DLP for Compliance and DLP for Intellectual Property Protection. It adapts controls based on how users interact with data across endpoints, cloud apps, and network channels.
1,500+ Classifiers and OCR That Catches What Others Miss
Over 1,500 pre built data classifiers give you broad coverage out of the box, backed by structured and unstructured data fingerprinting. We found the OCR capability notable for catching sensitive data embedded in images, both in motion and at rest.
Cloud app protection works in real time and via API, with support for custom SaaS applications. Data discovery spans all environments, and single click remediation speeds up incident response. We saw the two tier licensing as a practical way to match spend to actual needs, starting with compliance and scaling to IP protection.
Scales to Enterprise, Trips up New Admins
Customers say the platform scales well to large environments, with enterprises running tens of thousands of endpoints. Integration with Forcepoint Proxy gets praise for being fast and lightweight with minimal network impact. The documentation earns positive marks for helping teams understand the architecture.
Deep Classification for Data-Heavy Enterprises
We think Forcepoint DLP is a strong option if your organization needs deep data classification tied to compliance and IP protection. The classifier depth suits mid-size to large enterprises with complex data environments.
If you need a quick deployment with minimal tuning, expect an upfront learning curve. But for teams ready to invest in policy configuration, the payoff in data coverage is significant.
Strengths
- Over 1,500 pre built classifiers with structured and unstructured data fingerprinting included.
- OCR detects sensitive data in images, covering a gap most DLP tools miss.
- Cloud app protection supports custom SaaS applications in real time and via API.
- Two tier licensing lets you start with compliance and scale to IP protection as needed.
Cautions
- Some users report that interface complexity creates a steep onboarding curve for new administrators.
- Some customer reviews flag that occasional false positives block legitimate applications, requiring policy fine tuning.
GTB Technologies DLP
GTB Technologies DLP is a content aware data loss prevention platform known for deep detection at both binary and text levels. It targets organizations with serious data protection needs across healthcare, finance, government, and defense.
Single Agent, Deep Content Detection
Policy based content controls sit at the core. Admins get full contextual visibility into when, where, and how data moves, with the ability to enforce rules across network, endpoint, and cloud. We found the real time classification for all inbound and outbound transmissions a key strength, covering both trusted and untrusted users.
Combined DLP and data classification in a single console with a single agent keeps deployment clean. Native OCR and fingerprinting run on one server, simplifying architecture. Hybrid deployment and cloud based servers give you flexibility in how you roll it out.
Budget Friendly With Room to Polish
Customers say the platform is user friendly with simple navigation for managing rules, reports, and audits. Low false positive rates get specific praise during proof of concept evaluations. Budget friendly pricing compared to competitors is a recurring positive, and the support team earns marks for responsiveness.
Users have flagged that default policies need significant tuning to reduce noise. Some customers report missing use cases that did not meet expectations. The UI needs polish, and updates are not always well tested before release. One reviewer noted the absence of AI and machine learning capabilities.
Advanced Detection at a Competitive Price
We think GTB fits well if your organization needs advanced content detection with granular policy control at a competitive price. The single-agent approach keeps operations simple.
Strengths
- Binary and text level content detection provides deeper inspection than most DLP competitors.
- Single agent handles both DLP and data classification from one console.
- Native OCR and fingerprinting on a single server simplifies deployment architecture.
- Competitive pricing makes advanced DLP accessible for budget conscious organizations.
Cautions
- According to some user reviews, default policies generate noise and require hands on tuning to reduce false positives.
- Some users have noted that the UI needs modernization, and software updates are not always well tested before release.
Microsoft Purview Information Protection
Microsoft Purview Information Protection is a built in DLP and data classification platform for organizations running Microsoft 365. It covers SharePoint, OneDrive, Exchange, Teams, endpoints, and third party cloud apps from a unified admin console.
Native M365 Classification and Policy Controls
The native M365 integration is the headline. We found data discovery and classification work smoothly across the stack, with built in and trainable classifiers that label sensitive information automatically. Activity explorer shows how users interact with sensitive data, while content explorer surfaces protected documents with context to build effective policies.
Encryption key management supports multiple scenarios, and the AIP Scanner extends classification to on premises file shares. We saw the admin console as straightforward for policy and label setup, with pre built classifiers covering common data types out of the box.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers say the integration makes it easy to protect SharePoint, OneDrive, and Exchange without adding another vendor. Built in classifiers and the admin console get praise for low friction setup. The cost is seen as reasonable given the bundled functionality.
Users have flagged that auto labeling and trainable classifiers require E5 licensing, adding cost.
The Natural Choice for M365 Shops
We think Purview fits best if your organization is already invested in M365 and wants DLP without a separate vendor. The built-in classifiers and unified console lower the barrier for teams new to data protection.
Strengths
- Native integration across SharePoint, OneDrive, Exchange, Teams, and endpoints.
- Built in and trainable classifiers automate sensitive data labeling out of the box.
- Activity and content explorers give visibility into how sensitive data is accessed and used.
- AIP Scanner extends classification and protection to on premises file shares.
Cautions
- Some users report that initial label naming and rollout planning demands significant upfront discovery work.
- Based on customer reviews, redaction capabilities are limited for multi tier file sharing across privilege levels.
Proofpoint Enterprise Data Loss Prevention
Proofpoint Enterprise DLP is a people centric data loss prevention platform unifying email, cloud, and endpoint protection. It combines content analysis with behavior and threat telemetry to determine intent behind data movement.
Behavior and Threat Context Beyond Content Scanning
The people centric approach separates Proofpoint from traditional content only DLP. Instead of just scanning what data moves, it factors in user behavior and threat signals to assess whether someone is negligent or compromised. We found this context layer valuable for reducing alert noise and prioritizing real risks.
Over 240 customizable sensitive data detectors cover common patterns, with classification applied consistently across channels. The unified incident and investigations interface brings everything into one place. We saw the cloud based architecture as a plus for scalability, with policies following data across email, cloud apps, and endpoints.
Effective Policies, Endless Tuning
Customers say the policies are effective at preventing sensitive data from leaving the organization. The product adapts well across multiple applications, and support gets strong marks for responsiveness. Email protection is a particular strength for organizations that see email as a primary risk channel.
Users have flagged that false positive tuning is ongoing, even after years of use. The policy learning curve is steep, and reaching a self sustaining state takes real legwork. Running it effectively requires a skilled security team and solid infrastructure.
People-Centric DLP for Email-Heavy Organizations
We think Proofpoint DLP fits best if your organization needs people-centric data protection with strong email coverage. The behavior and threat telemetry add context that pure content scanning misses.
Strengths
- People centric approach combines content, behavior, and threat telemetry for intent based detection.
- Unified incident interface brings email, cloud, and endpoint DLP into a single view.
- Over 240 customizable data detectors with consistent classification across all channels.
- Strong email DLP coverage for organizations where email is a primary data loss vector.
Cautions
- Based on customer feedback, false positive tuning is an ongoing operational burden, even for experienced teams.
- Some users mention that the policy learning curve is steep, with significant upfront effort to reach a stable state.
Trend Micro Integrated DLP
Trend Micro Integrated DLP is a lightweight DLP plugin that adds data loss prevention to existing Trend Micro endpoint deployments. It covers email, USB, web, SaaS, mobile, and cloud storage from a centrally managed console.
Compliance-Ready DLP as a Plugin, Not a Platform
The integrated approach is the key design decision. Rather than a standalone platform, this runs as an add-on to Trend Micro products like Apex One. We found the compliance templates useful for quick policy setup, with detection based on file attributes, keywords, and regular expressions. DataDNA fingerprinting adds protection for unstructured data and IP.
Granular device control restricts USB drives, mobile devices, and removable media. Email scanning monitors for keywords in headers and subjects. We saw forensic data capture and real-time reporting as solid for audit readiness, with Smart Protection Network coverage against data harvesting malware.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers say setup is straightforward, and the add-on model keeps costs down since it runs on your existing Trend Micro agent. Compliance teams praise the email scanning and keyword monitoring for meeting regulatory requirements. Centralized management gets positive marks.
Users have flagged that DLP capabilities are basic compared to dedicated solutions like Forcepoint or Symantec.
Compliance Coverage for Trend Micro Shops
We think Trend Micro Integrated DLP fits best if you already run Trend Micro endpoints and need compliance-level DLP without adding another vendor. The lightweight plugin keeps things operationally simple.
Strengths
- Lightweight plugin adds DLP to existing Trend Micro deployments without a separate agent.
- Out-of-the-box compliance templates enable fast policy setup for regulatory requirements.
- DataDNA fingerprinting protects unstructured data and intellectual property at the endpoint.
- Forensic data capture and real-time reporting support rapid audit readiness.
Cautions
- Some customer reviews note that DLP capabilities are basic compared to dedicated, full-featured DLP platforms.
- Email DLP requires an additional component beyond the base plugin.
Trellix Data Loss Prevention
Trellix DLP is a modular data loss prevention suite covering network, cloud, and endpoint protection. Born from the McAfee Enterprise and FireEye merger, it offers Discover, Prevent, Monitor, and Endpoint components deployable individually or together.
Modular DLP With Centralized Policy Control
The modular architecture gives you flexibility. Discover scans resources to locate sensitive data and identify content owners. Prevent handles remediation and blocks unauthorized transfers. We found unified policy creation across on-premises and cloud useful for consistent controls, with centralized deployment through ePolicy Orchestrator.
Integrated case management sends notifications on policy violations, with over 20 preconfigured report templates and scheduling options. We saw the classification engine as capable, using predefined and customizable rules to categorize sensitive information across network traffic.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers say the platform effectively identifies and blocks unauthorized data transfers. Integration with existing systems gets praise for being straightforward, and support earns marks for responsiveness. Compliance coverage across global security standards is highlighted as a strength.
Users have flagged initial configuration as complex with a steep learning curve.
Flexible DLP for Growing Requirements
We think Trellix DLP fits well if your organization needs a modular approach where you add components as requirements grow. The ePolicy Orchestrator integration is a natural fit for existing Trellix environments.
Strengths
- Modular suite lets you deploy Discover, Prevent, Monitor, and Endpoint independently.
- Centralized policy deployment through ePolicy Orchestrator across on-premises and cloud.
- Over 20 preconfigured report templates with on-demand and scheduled delivery options.
- Integrated case management notifies content owners and admins on policy violations automatically.
Cautions
- Some users have reported that the agent is heavy on endpoints, causing noticeable performance degradation on some machines.
- According to customer feedback, initial configuration is complex with a steep learning curve and significant tuning required.
Zscaler Cloud DLP
Zscaler Cloud DLP is a cloud native data loss prevention platform built into the Zero Trust Exchange. It protects data across internet, email, SaaS, endpoints, and private apps from a single platform.
Zero Trust DLP With Cloud Scale Inspection
The cloud native architecture defines Zscaler DLP. Protection follows users on and off the network, inspecting all traffic including SSL without on premises appliances. We found Exact Data Match and Indexed Document Matching effective for precise classification beyond simple pattern matching.
Machine learning powers data classification and behavioral analysis at cloud scale. OCR, UEBA, and workflow automation add customization depth. We saw the unified platform approach as a strength for organizations wanting DLP tightly integrated with zero trust rather than bolted on separately.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers across the Zscaler platform praise the installation experience and infrastructure compatibility. AI powered discovery and classification get positive marks. Organizations highlight reduced risk after implementation and value unified administration. Professional services support earns favorable feedback.
Feedback specific to the DLP module is limited in detail.
Native DLP for Zero Trust Environments
We think Zscaler DLP is the right fit if your organization is committed to the Zero Trust Exchange and wants DLP natively embedded in that architecture. Cloud-scale inspection and user-following protection suit large enterprises with distributed workforces.
Strengths
- Cloud native DLP follows users on and off the network with full SSL traffic inspection.
- Exact Data Match and Indexed Document Matching enable precise, low noise classification.
- Machine learning and UEBA power behavioral analysis and data classification at scale.
- Unified platform covers internet, email, SaaS, endpoints, and private apps in one place.
Cautions
- Limited DLP-specific customer feedback makes independent peer validation difficult.
- Based on customer feedback, policy tuning is still required after deployment to reduce false positives effectively.
What To Look For: DLP Solutions Checklist
When evaluating DLP platforms, focus on whether the detection accuracy matches your compliance requirements without driving users toward workarounds.
- Data Classification and Detection Methods: Does the platform support dictionary based, fingerprinting, and OCR detection? How many pre built classifiers come with the solution? Can you create custom classifiers without extensive coding? Does it detect data in motion, at rest, and in use?
- Deployment Options and Scope: Can you deploy on network, endpoint, cloud, or all three from one console? Does endpoint deployment support Windows, macOS, and Linux? Are you locked into a specific vendor’s infrastructure or can you choose deployment models?
- False Positive Management and Policy Tuning: How does the platform reduce noise from low risk findings? Can admins create exceptions without complex code? Does it include exception management or require manual workarounds? What’s the honest experience from customers at scale?
- Incident Response and Remediation: Can the platform block, alert, or apply graduated responses? Can users request exceptions or appeal blocks? Does it integrate with ticketing systems for escalation? Can you prove compliance with audit trails?
- Integration With Existing Tools: Does it integrate with your SIEM, email systems, and cloud apps? Can it work with existing firewalls and proxies or requires separate deployment? Does it support SSO and active directory?
- Support and Implementation Reality: How responsive is support during policy tuning? Do they help with initial classification or does that fall to your team? Check third party reviews for consistent patterns. Platforms with thin documentation and reactive support create more work than they prevent.
How We Compared The Best Data Loss Prevention Software
Expert Insights is an independent editorial team that researches, tests, and reviews cybersecurity and IT solutions. No vendor can pay to influence our review of their products. Our Editor’s Scores are based solely on product quality and real world detection accuracy.
We evaluated 10 DLP platforms across cloud, network, and endpoint deployments, assessing detection accuracy against both structured and unstructured data, false positive rates in real world configurations, policy flexibility without administrative burden, operational usability, and integration depth with existing infrastructure including email, SIEM, and cloud platforms.
Beyond product evaluation, we conducted in depth market research across the DLP landscape, reviewed customer feedback from organizations at scale, and spoke with security teams to understand where vendor claims diverge from actual false positive rates and compliance benefit. Our focus was identifying platforms that prevent real data loss rather than creating excessive operational burden.
This guide is updated quarterly. For full details on our evaluation process, visit our How We Test and Review Products page.
The Bottom Line
Your choice depends on your infrastructure, compliance requirements, and whether your priority is prevention, detection, or visibility.
For insider threat detection with activity monitoring, Teramind delivers live visibility and behavioral controls.
For cross platform endpoint DLP, Endpoint Protector by CoSoSys handles Windows, macOS, and Linux with granular device control.
If you’re Microsoft first, Microsoft Purview Information Protection integrates natively with M365 without adding separate vendors.
For deep data classification at enterprise scale, Forcepoint DLP delivers 1,500+ classifiers including OCR.
For people centric DLP with behavior context, Proofpoint Enterprise DLP reduces noise by assessing intent alongside content.
Read the individual reviews above to dig into deployment specifics, pricing, and the operational tradeoffs that matter for your environment.
FAQs
Everything You Need To Know About Data Loss Prevention (FAQs)
Data loss prevention (DLP) is about protecting data and refers to a set of processes and technologies designed to ensure data stored by an organization is not lost, misused, or exposed to unauthorized users by end-users or misconfiguration. This is a practice that aims to boost information security and ensure that businesses are protected from data breaches, which is done by preventing users from moving key information outside of the corporate network.
Data loss prevention refers to tools that allow network administrators to oversee and monitor data that end users can access and share. Data loss prevention tools work also to classify regulated, confidential, and business-critical data. It works to identify violations of policies set out by the organizations or within a predefined policy of defined solution, generally driven by compliance regulations like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, PIPEDA, and GDPR.
If the data loss prevention software identifies those violations, it can enforce remediation through alerts, encryption, and other protective actions in place to stop end users from accidentally — or maliciously — sharing data that could put the organization at risk.
DLP (data loss prevention) systems have proven to be highly effective in protecting companies’ sensitive data. DLP systems monitor and control endpoint activities, filter data streams on corporate networks, and monitor data at rest, in motion, and in use. They also typically provide reporting capabilities, helping to facilitate meeting compliance and auditing needs, and making it easier to identify any weak areas or anomalies for better data security and more efficient incident response.
These solutions have earned their place in the information security ecosystem over the last 20 years through extensive automation, the application of machine learning, and a noticeable reduction of server load. The gap in the security market that these solutions filled emerged when banks and major corporations began accumulating confidential and critical information from their customers, which gradually began leaking into the public domain due to poor access control or a lack of data loss prevention policies.
The resulting government scrutiny gave rise to ad hoc legislation, and further down the line to international standards. The next step in this evolution was the bolstering of anti-fraud protections within corporations, with DLP software fulfilling the role of surveying employees’ communications and blocking any suspicious activities.
Many organizations choose to deploy data loss prevention software for more comprehensive protection, which can support the organization’s data retention policies and data leak detection efforts by allowing them to restrict access permissions to access information assets. Data loss prevention solutions use data classification labels and tags, content inspection techniques, and contextual analysis for data identification, and to recognize actions relating to the use of that content.
The solution monitors all data storage and data activity to evaluate the appropriateness of actions attempted by users against a predefined data loss prevention policy. This policy should set out parameters regarding accepted usage, in appropriate contexts, for specific content types or classifications.
Data loss prevention solutions also help organizations to monitor activity on workstations, servers, and networks (including who is accessing or copying certain files or taking screenshots of the information), audit information flowing in and out of the organizations (including those from remote workers on laptops and over mobile devices), and have control over the number of information transfer channels (like flash drives and instant messaging apps) are in use, which includes the interception and blocking of any outgoing data streams.
DLP solutions are primarily deployed to solve the following issues encountered by organizations:
- Intentional data leaks – These are breaches caused by the deliberate malicious actions of insiders.
- Unintentional data leaks – These breaches are accidental and occur as a result of honest mishaps by employees.
- Compliance regulations – There are certain security standards in place to govern the handling of sensitive or critical information, intellectual property, personally identifiable information, etc., which can differ depending on the industry and which needs must be met.
- External threats – These are the big scary threats that make headlines in the news, such as phishing attacks, viruses, and ransomware. Cybercriminals are getting better all the time at infiltrating organizations and stealing or encrypting sensitive information.
Not all DLP tools and DLP vendors take the same approach in their effort to protect sensitive data. Important points to consider when evaluating data loss prevention software is to 1) define your organization’s DLP strategy so that any data loss prevention products you evaluate can be measured against the organization’s specific needs and 2) identify any pre-existing data loss prevention capabilities provided by the security products already in use.
At a minimum, a DLP solution should include features that enable the discovery and classification of data at rest, data in motion, and be able to remediate based of data activity. Organizations should also consider prioritizing capabilities like real-time monitoring and analytics, automated workflows, and tech stack integration to ensure comprehensive coverage and smooth operations.
For comprehensive DLP coverage, there are three main capabilities that make everything work effectively, which are:
1) Discovering sensitive data on the network. The foundation of DLP coverage is the ability to discover and control all your data at rest. You cannot prevent the loss of data that you don’t know exists, so any solution you implement will need strong data discovery capabilities.
2) Classify data based on its type. Efficiency is important and by classifying your data automated workflows can be implemented based on the data’s characteristics and level of sensitivity. Doing this will also make it more straightforward to oversee your analytics by letting you view data under specific classifications, instead of all at once.
3) Fast-acting remediation. To truly protect your data and prevent data loss, your solution should be capable of doing more than just monitoring. It should also be able to act and remediate, which includes replacing, modifying, cleansing, or deleting data as needed.
A data breach is an incident where sensitive or confidential information is improperly accessed. Data breaches have been around for as long as storing data has existed; data breaches were once physical threats. Now, data breaches look very different. They are digital attacks that are continually evolving to navigate advanced cybersecurity measures.
Security vendors such as Symantec, GTB Technologies, Proofpoint etc., have, as part of their suite of security solutions, a data loss prevention offering that is designed to manage and protect both data in use (endpoints), data in transit, and data at rest.
Organizations today are relying on an ever-growing stack of security vendors to meet their security needs. An increase in vendors inevitably leads to an increase in complexity, which can end up having a negative effect. If a security stack is too diverse or too complex, it may be improperly configured and therefore have loopholes or vulnerabilities. Consolidating data protection in a single, reliable solution delivers a simplified solution to the problem and allows organizations to reach their goal of protecting their sensitive data.
Written By
Mirren McDade is a senior writer and journalist at Expert Insights, spending each day researching, writing, editing and publishing content, covering a variety of topics and solutions, and interviewing industry experts.
She is an experienced copywriter with a background in a range of industries, including cloud business technologies, cloud security, information security and cyber security, and has conducted interviews with several industry experts.
Mirren holds a First Class Honors degree in English from Edinburgh Napier University.
Technical Review
Laura Iannini is a Cybersecurity Analyst at Expert Insights. With deep cybersecurity knowledge and strong research skills, she leads Expert Insights’ product testing team, conducting thorough tests of product features and in-depth industry analysis to ensure that Expert Insights’ product reviews are definitive and insightful.
Laura also carries out wider analysis of vendor landscapes and industry trends to inform Expert Insights’ enterprise cybersecurity buyers’ guides, covering topics such as security awareness training, cloud backup and recovery, email security, and network monitoring. Prior to working at Expert Insights, Laura worked as a Senior Information Security Engineer at Constant Edge, where she tested cybersecurity solutions, carried out product demos, and provided high-quality ongoing technical support.
Laura holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of West Florida.