As more businesses become reliant on digital technologies and data today, it has become more critical than ever for them to protect their data. The consequences of a data breach can range from short-term financial losses to major reputational damage and turn fatal for businesses. According to a recent IBM report, the global average cost of a data breach in 2023 was USD 4.45 million, a 15% increase over 3 years. Data Loss Prevention (DLP) strategies have thus become crucial for businesses in safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access, leaks, or theft.
Data Loss Prevention: Understanding the Risks
Data loss can occur through various channels such as accidental leaks, insider threats, or targeted cyber-attacks such as through malware, ransomware or phishing attempts.
Malware, often cloaked as innocuous attachments or programs, demands continuous cybersecurity vigilance, regular antivirus updates, and detailed security assessments. Aside from external threats, insider risks can also pose a risk of data loss. This happens when those with intimate organizational knowledge misuse their access or are unwittingly hacked by an external attack and become a weak point in the security. Phishing attacks, which rely on fraudulent emails to extract sensitive information, can also result in data leaks.
DLP strategies can help businesses understand and mitigate these risks by protecting against data breaches. DLP is the practice of detecting and preventing data breaches, exfiltration, or unwanted destruction of sensitive data. Organizations use DLP to protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) of their customers and employees, Intellectual Property, secure their remote workforce and cloud systems as well as comply with regulations.
Types of Data Loss Prevention
DLP tools can be tailored to address specific aspects of data protection such as the following two types:
1. Endpoint DLP (EDLP)
Endpoint DLP is a type of DLP which focuses on securing individual devices within an organization’s network, including those following Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies. This approach ensures that sensitive data remains within the confines of authorized endpoints, preventing inadvertent leaks or intentional data exfiltration.
EDLP involves deploying security measures directly on devices such as laptops, desktops, mobile and BYOD devices. These measures may include encryption protocols, access controls, and activity monitoring. This ensures that data is safeguarded at the source so that potential threats originating from within their network can be thwarted. By implementing EDLP on BYOD devices, organizations can ensure that their sensitive data is protected even when employees use their personal devices for work purposes.
2. Network DLP (NDLP)
Network DLP takes a broader approach to data loss prevention by tracking, monitoring and controlling data as it moves across the organization’s network. This type of DLP is especially critical for preventing unauthorized data transfers or leaks during transit such as through email, web applications, and other data transfer mechanisms.
NDLP lives on the network and employs advanced monitoring tools to scrutinize data packets in real-time. It identifies and blocks any attempts to move sensitive information outside approved channels. By strategically placing these safeguards at key network entry and exit points, organizations can establish a robust defense against external and internal threats.
Advantages and Disadvantages of DLP
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a critical component of any organization’s cybersecurity strategy, designed to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access or inadvertent disclosure. However, along with the advantages, there are also some disadvantages that you will need to keep in mind.
Advantages:
1. It helps mitigate risk
DLP serves as a proactive defense against potential data breaches, mitigating the risk of sensitive information falling into the wrong hands. By identifying and preventing data exfiltration attempts, organizations can avoid reputational damage and financial losses.
2. It helps you comply with regulations
At a time when businesses have to adhere to stringent data protection regulations, DLP ensures that you can remain compliant with legal frameworks. Complying to regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS not only protects against fines but also fosters trust among clients and stakeholders.
3. It improves your security posture
Implementing DLP measures bolsters an organization’s overall cybersecurity posture. By safeguarding against both internal and external threats, DLP contributes to a resilient defense infrastructure, protecting against a wide range of potential risks.
Disadvantages:
1. The implementation can be complex
One of the significant challenges associated with DLP is the complexity of implementation. Deploying DLP solutions may require careful planning, specialized expertise, and coordination across various departments. The data classification procedure especially can be difficult, with potential for misclassifying and human errors. Organizations must invest time and resources to ensure a seamless integration that aligns with their unique needs.
2. There can be false positives/negatives:
DLP solutions may, at times, generate false positives or false negatives, especially in the case of improper configuration. False positives occur when legitimate activities are flagged as security threats, leading to unnecessary disruptions. Conversely, false negatives involve overlooking actual security incidents, potentially exposing the organization to risks.
3. It can be resource intensive
Maintaining an effective DLP system can be resource-intensive, demanding both financial and personnel investments. Organizations may need to allocate sufficient resources for hardware, software, and ongoing monitoring to ensure the DLP solution operates optimally.
A new approach to DLP: ZTNA +DLP
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a new approach to DLP that involves securing access to specific on-premises resources, applying zero trust security principles to minimize the impact of breaches. ZTNA is especially useful for distributed organizations with remote workforces accessing on-premises resources. By combining ZTNA with Data Loss Prevention (DLP), organizations can ensure that their sensitive data is protected even when employees use their personal devices for work purposes.
The ZTNA-DLP combination also becomes powerful when you need to secure Internet of Things (IoT) devices. ZTNA provides zero trust connectivity for IoT devices, while DLP ensures that sensitive data remains within the confines of authorized endpoints, preventing inadvertent leaks or intentional data exfiltration.
Improving DLP with CDNetworks Zero Trust
You can also go beyond these DLP tools and consider adopting a Zero Trust approach for data loss prevention. This is a cybersecurity model that applies the principles of zero trust security to data access and data protection. It is based on the principle: never trust, always verify. Rather than assuming that everything behind a firewall is trustworthy and safe, zero trust principles assume a breach by default and verify each request.
Zero trust is already being adopted by various businesses around the world. Some real-world use cases of zero trust include the preference of Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) over VPN for securing remote access, application and data security, adopting hybrid and back-to-office users and as an alternative to Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).
CDNetworks offers businesses Enterprise Secure Access (ESA) to help with building DLP strategies with Zero Trust principles. ESA is a cloud service that provides enterprises with secure remote access to applications and data. ESA uses a Zero Trust implementation with a Software-Defined Perimeter(SDP) infrastructure to ensure that sensitive data remains private and any leaks are prevented.
