Cybersecurity
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Definition
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a set of tools and processes used to ensure that sensitive data is not lost, misused, or accessed by unauthorized users. DLP software classifies regulated, confidential and business critical data and identifies violations of policies defined by organizations.
Why It Matters
DLP helps prevent data breaches by controlling what data can leave the organization's network. It is a key tool for protecting intellectual property and complying with data privacy regulations.
Contextual Example
A company implements a DLP solution. If an employee tries to email a document containing customer credit card numbers to their personal Gmail account, the DLP system will automatically detect the sensitive data and block the email from being sent.
Common Misunderstandings
- DLP can monitor data in use (on endpoints), in motion (on the network), and at rest (in storage).
- It relies on techniques like keyword matching, regular expressions, and data fingerprinting to identify sensitive information.