Looking for ways to help organizations prevent data leakage from their networks? Then how is DLP implemented?
How Is DLP Implemented?
Data leak is a major concern for organizations, and data leakage prevention (DLP) is a way to address it. Many organizations have implemented DLP solutions. However, few know how they work, what they can do, and what they cannot do.
Are you looking for ways to help organizations prevent data leakage from their networks? Then how is DLP implemented? Data Leak Prevention (DLP) systems are designed to monitor network traffic and flag the content of the traffic that may contain sensitive information.
Sensitive information can be anything ranging from credit card numbers to social security numbers. This even includes personally identifiable information (PII), such as a person’s name, address, and phone number. Also, DLP systems may also be used to monitor Web sites and block access to them if the information is deemed to be too sensitive.
Data Loss Prevention Systems
DLP systems are not foolproof. However, they are only as good as the rules that configure them. If you configure a DLP system to look for a credit card number. If you spell it wrong or use an outdated format, the system will not be able to find the number.
Also, DLP systems can only find what they have been taught to look for. If the credit card number has been changed in a way that will trick the system into thinking it is something else. Then it won’t be flagged when it passes through it.
So if DLP systems aren’t perfect, what can organizations do to protect against data leakage? They need to implement other security measures. These are such firewalls and endpoint protection software, as well as employee education programs. These programs help employees understand how data theft and fraud work.
So they can recognize suspicious email messages or Web site visits. They also teach employees how to avoid accidentally sharing sensitive information with people outside of the company.
Data Awareness Programs
Data leaks usually occur when employees send sensitive information. This is through email or otherwise transmit over the Internet without realizing that it is private or protected by law. Recent studies suggest that 44 percent of employees admit to reading private emails sent by someone else within the company.
Sixty-three percent also admit to forwarding messages containing personal information over email. Even more disturbing is that 60 percent of employees admit that they have accidentally forwarded a message. This is containing a client’s credit card number or other sensitive information without realizing it!
A small amount of training in data awareness would go a long way toward preventing such mistakes from happening again. This is by implementing a combination of DLP and employee data awareness programs, organizations can help protect themselves against data leakage.
DLP systems do not help prevent data leaks as much as employee education does. But they are still a good tool to have around. By combining them with other security measures, companies can better protect themselves from the problems that come from data leakage.