How to Approach Data Loss Prevention (DLP)?

Business owners from different industries wake up daily to hear about their rivals being hacked. They are left wondering, "Am I next?" The fear that is circulating among business owners isn't unfounded. According to the IBM research report, the cost of data breaches has increased by 2.6 percent, rising from $4.24 million in 2021 to $4.35 million by 2022. The problem is that cyber-attacks become more complicated each day, putting money and companies' reputations at risk.

 

In the meantime, for this issue, numerous options are available to assist businesses in preventing themselves from becoming victims of a data breach. In this article, we will explore the most critical aspect of enterprise data security: the prevention of data loss (DLP).

It covers everything you must know about the concept of DLP, how it works, and the execution of the DLP strategy for your company.

 

What is Data Loss Prevention (DLP)?

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) comprises strategies and tools to prevent corporate data from being lost or used fraudulently. It focuses on safeguarding data across four states:

• Data at Rest refers to where the data is stored—either in the network or in a database—as well as its location if it is encrypted.
• Data that is used: The data set is accessible at any time.
• Moving data is the act of shifting data between databases and networks.
• "Cloud data loss" refers to the loss of data stored in the cloud or transmitted via email.

A successful cybersecurity strategy requires being aware of the vital information you keep and making rules and policies for using, storing, and moving the data.

 DLP solutions have undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years to keep up with ever-increasing security challenges and data security. We have witnessed advancements in enforcement, data discovery, notification of exfiltration, and data management, among others.

After we've completed an overview of the features DLP solutions can offer and how they work, let's get closer to the parts that allow it to work. Only after you know how it operates and works will you be able to integrate it into your business procedures.

 

How do you prevent the loss of data?

The techniques for preventing loss of data use a variety of strategies that are based on different configurations and tools. At the heart of all of these strategies is an effective data loss prevention procedure.Here are a few ways that DLP performs its work:

• Rule-driven matching: Data loss prevention systems employ established patterns to find information matching particular rules.
• Database fingerprinting A DLP programme seeks an exact match to the data structure provided by the customer.
• File matching: The DLP software scans for information based on hashes, not content.
• Partially matching documents: DLP software scans for files that partially match predefined patterns.
• Data analysis DLP solutions use sophisticated techniques like AI and machine learning for identifying sensitive data, which results in greater accuracy of the data and the identification of the relevant context for the results.

The underlying principle of data loss prevention software is simple: understand what data is being used and how it is being used, and comply with regulations like HIPAA and GDPR. Additionally, the software that prevents data loss must notify users when unusual activity is discovered to allow it to be examined. However, for the programme to function properly, precise methods and processes for preventing data loss must be implemented.

Best practices for approaching the prevention of loss of data

Best practices to prevent data loss may differ for different businesses, but the aim is always to safeguard sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. Here are some guidelines we trust to prevent data loss for companies.

At PerfectionGeeks Technologies, we consider the prevention of data loss (DLP) exceptionally serious. Alongside adopting an approach to development that is security-first, we also help companies understand the fundamentals of data loss prevention. Here's the process that we follow in the context of our cloud-based data services

 

Step 1: Check the program

We begin by understanding the needs of the business by identifying and prioritising data risks. Then we put the information that needs to be protected in place and verify the data owners.

Our team then creates a data flow map that allows us to understand where the data comes from, where it's being stored, and how it's moving across networks.

 

Step 2: Establish the governance processes

Then, we identify and improve the processes for handling data. For example, we develop an inventory of accepted protocols, software, and data-management methods in collaboration with the legal department. One of the things we emphasize to our clients is that the DLP must be upgraded regularly since businesses need to adapt.

 

Step 3: Create the initial structure

We then look for DLP tools that can provide the required data controller. In most cases, it's only possible to cover some aspects with a single vendor, which is why you need to integrate multiple DLP technologies into your business processes. This is a process that is made easy by the process of mapping data flow that we perform in the initial step.

 

Step 4: Start addressing dependencies

The ability of DLP tools to locate instances of data loss could be confused by multiple users' dependence on processes, which can be both technical and organizational. We design your DLP's efficiency to deal with these dependencies according to various degrees of accessibility. For instance, we only allow access to corporate data if an authorized user requests it to fulfil a legitimate business requirement.

 

Step 5: Deploy and grow

We utilize the "monitoring only" implementation of the DLP to test whether the system is working and refine it following the business requirements. In this phase, we keep in touch with users and keep them updated about what's happening to their data and how they can secure it.

FAQs on data loss prevention (DLP)

 

What is a "loss of data prevention policy"?

Data loss prevention (DLP) policy comprises strategies for preventing enterprises from being affected by data breaches. It integrates tools and processes that protect businesses from data leakage, misuse, and loss.

 

What are the reasons why the prevention of data loss is vital?

There are several reasons why having a loss prevention policy is crucial: You don't know where your information is stored; you don't have a plan to protect your data from intrusion or hackers; you're concerned about the consequences of fines and your reputation; and you'd like to ensure compliance with the requirements of compliance.

What are the different types of prevention against data loss?

• Here are the different kinds of DLPs: Here are the various types of DLPs:
• Network DLP analyses and protects data used at rest and in motion within the company's network.
• The endpoint DLP scans all endpoints, including servers, computers, and mobile devices, on which the data is utilized and is either saved or transferred.
• Cloud DLP is a subset of Network DLP, which was designed to protect enterprise data.
• Businesses that use cloud services for data storage.

Parting Notes

A constantly changing threat landscape to data, coupled with stricter regulations, has made it imperative to implement improved data management. As a result, businesses are now looking for solutions to improve data loss prevention.

 The most effective practices discussed in the article will put you on the right track for protecting data, but the key to success lies in consistent and regular investment in enhancing the service. This will ensure that you're on the right track in determining that your software for preventing data loss is compatible with future applications for DLP.

 

After all, is said and done, we know how difficult it is to answer micro-level questions such as what types of data loss protection work best in what situations, what are the top tools for preventing data loss, or how much each cycle of data loss prevention plans costs. We'll assist you in locating the answers to these questions. Contact us now for a security consultation with one of our specialists.