Protection against data leakage
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions are data leakage prevention systems that protect an organisation's sensitive information from unauthorised access, accidental loss or intentional leakage. Implementing a DLP system allows data to be monitored, controlled and secured at all stages of its lifecycle: at rest, in motion and in use. DLP also supports regulatory compliance and protects the organisation from internal and external threats. DLP systems not only prevent incidents, but also educate employees, increasing security awareness throughout the organisation.
Key features and functions of DLP
Monitoring and protection of data in motion, at rest and in use
DLP provides full visibility and control over sensitive data at every stage of processing.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Data protection on the move: DLP monitors data sent over the network (e.g. by email, via FTP, cloud) and blocks attempts to send confidential information to unauthorised recipients.
Example: the system will block the sending of an e-mail with an attachment containing credit card numbers outside the organisation.
Example: the system will block the sending of an e-mail with an attachment containing credit card numbers outside the organisation.
Data protection at rest: DLP scans files stored on servers, databases, the cloud and end devices, identifying sensitive data (e.g. personal data, IP, trade secrets) and secures them from unauthorised access.
Example: DLP will encrypt the file containing the clients' data or prevent it from being copied to a USB drive.
Example: DLP will encrypt the file containing the clients' data or prevent it from being copied to a USB drive.
Data protection in use: the system monitors and controls how users process data (e.g. copying, printing, transferring to external media).
Example: DLP will prevent an employee from copying a confidential report to an external hard drive.
Example: DLP will prevent an employee from copying a confidential report to an external hard drive.
2. Identification and classification of sensitive data
DLP solutions automatically identify sensitive data based on established policies and their classification.
Recognising sensitive data: DLP uses mechanisms such as keyword analysis, patterns (e.g. PESEL numbers, credit card numbers) and digital fingerprints of data to identify sensitive information.
Example: DLP will detect the PESEL number in a document sent by email and mark it as personal data, preventing it from being sent to an unauthorised recipient.
Example: DLP will detect the PESEL number in a document sent by email and mark it as personal data, preventing it from being sent to an unauthorised recipient.
Data classification: data are labelled (e.g. 'Confidential', 'Internal use only') to help the DLP system enforce appropriate protection policies.
Example: a document marked 'Confidential' cannot be sent by e-mail to a recipient outside the organisation.
Example: a document marked 'Confidential' cannot be sent by e-mail to a recipient outside the organisation.
3 Enforcement of security policies
DLP allows for the definition and automatic enforcement of policies regarding the processing and sharing of sensitive data.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Blocking unauthorised activities: the system prevents data from being copied, printed, transmitted or shared in a way that does not comply with security policies.
Example: an attempt to send a file with personal data via an unsecured channel (e.g. a communication application) will be automatically blocked.
Example: an attempt to send a file with personal data via an unsecured channel (e.g. a communication application) will be automatically blocked.
Shaping user behaviour: DLP can warn users of unauthorised activities (e.g. sending documents via the public cloud) by educating them about data protection rules.
Example: system will display a warning when a user attempts to upload a document containing customer data via an unsecured file sharing application.
Example: system will display a warning when a user attempts to upload a document containing customer data via an unsecured file sharing application.
4. Protecting against Insider Threats
DLP minimises the risk of data leaks caused by employees - both intentional and accidental.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Monitoring user activity: DLP tracks employees' activities related to the processing of sensitive data, identifying unusual behaviour (e.g. bulk copying of files).
Example: the system detects that the user is trying to transfer a large number of files to an external server or USB device.
Example: the system detects that the user is trying to transfer a large number of files to an external server or USB device.
Access restriction: DLP in combination with other solutions (e.g. PAM) allows access to sensitive data to be restricted to authorised users only.
Example: DLP in conjunction with the PAM system will prevent an employee without the appropriate permissions from accessing a file containing the company's financial data.
Example: DLP in conjunction with the PAM system will prevent an employee without the appropriate permissions from accessing a file containing the company's financial data.
Recording of activities: all activities involving sensitive data are recorded, allowing for subsequent analysis in the event of an incident.
Example: the actions of an employee who attempted to copy customer data to a memory stick will be logged and documented in an incident report.
Example: the actions of an employee who attempted to copy customer data to a memory stick will be logged and documented in an incident report.
5. protection against external threats
DLP prevents data leakage due to hacking attacks, phishing or malware.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Preventing leakage during an attack: even if an attacker gains access to an organisation's network, DLP will prevent them from copying, transmitting or stealing sensitive information.
Example: malware attempting to send data to the C&C (Command and Control) server will be blocked by DLP policies.
Example: malware attempting to send data to the C&C (Command and Control) server will be blocked by DLP policies.
Filtering of outgoing traffic: DLP monitors and controls all outgoing traffic from the network, identifying attempts to send data to unauthorised recipients or locations.
Example: the system detects and blocks an attempt to transfer a file with personal data by a suspicious application or to an unauthorised server.
Example: the system detects and blocks an attempt to transfer a file with personal data by a suspicious application or to an unauthorised server.
Integration with anti-virus and EDR systems: DLP works with other security solutions to better detect and block malicious activity.
Example: The DLP will identify attempts by the infected workstation to exfiltrate data and report this to the EDR system, which will automatically disconnect the device from the network.
Example: The DLP will identify attempts by the infected workstation to exfiltrate data and report this to the EDR system, which will automatically disconnect the device from the network.
6 Meeting regulatory requirements
DLP helps organisations to comply with data protection legal requirements (e.g. RODO, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, NIS2).
How does it work?
How does it work?
Protection of personal and financial data: DLP identifies and secures regulated data, such as personal, medical or financial transaction information.
Example: the system will prevent the transfer of files containing PESEL numbers outside the EU without adequate safeguards.
Example: the system will prevent the transfer of files containing PESEL numbers outside the EU without adequate safeguards.
Compliance reporting: DLP generates detailed reports on data processing and protection, allowing organisations to demonstrate compliance during audits.
Example: The DLP will generate a report showing which personal data has been secured in the last quarter so that compliance can be demonstrated during a RODO audit.
Example: The DLP will generate a report showing which personal data has been secured in the last quarter so that compliance can be demonstrated during a RODO audit.
7. minimising the risk of accidental spills
DLP protects against situations where data can be accidentally disclosed by employees.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Content filtering: the system analyses the content of e-mails, messages and uploaded files, identifying sensitive information that may be accidentally disclosed.
Example: the system will block the sending of an e-mail with a file containing customer data to a private Gmail address.
Example: the system will block the sending of an e-mail with a file containing customer data to a private Gmail address.
Alerting users: if a risky activity is detected, the system can warn the user before the activity takes place.
Example: the employee will receive a warning when they try to upload a file containing payroll information using a file sharing application such as Google Drive
Example: the employee will receive a warning when they try to upload a file containing payroll information using a file sharing application such as Google Drive
8 Integration with other security systems
DLP works with SIEM, SOAR, NGFW, EDR class solutions to provide more complete data protection.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Correlation of events: data from the DLP system can be analysed in the SIEM in conjunction with other security events, allowing for faster incident detection.
Example: the DLP system detects an attempt to send a file with sensitive data over a non-standard port, and data about the event goes to the SIEM, which links it to previous attempts by an intruder to scan the network.
Example: the DLP system detects an attempt to send a file with sensitive data over a non-standard port, and data about the event goes to the SIEM, which links it to previous attempts by an intruder to scan the network.
Automation of responses: in integration with SOAR, DLP can automatically isolate devices or users who attempt to steal data.
Example: in integration with SOAR, DLP will automatically block a user who has attempted to upload confidential files to an unsecured server.
Example: in integration with SOAR, DLP will automatically block a user who has attempted to upload confidential files to an unsecured server.
Securing network traffic: DLP works with NGFW firewalls to block attempts to transmit sensitive data over network channels.
Example: DLP will detect and stop any attempt to send personal data through the VPN tunnel, blocking the traffic with NGFW.
Example: DLP will detect and stop any attempt to send personal data through the VPN tunnel, blocking the traffic with NGFW.
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