8.12 Data Leakage Prevention

Data leakage prevention measures should be applied to systems, networks and any other devices that process, store or transmit sensitive information.

Data Leakage Prevention (DLP) is a set of technologies and processes that are used to detect and prevent the unauthorised exfiltration of sensitive data from an organisation. DLP solutions can be implemented in a variety of ways, such as network-based, endpoint-based, or cloud-based, and can be used to protect a wide range of data types, including text, numbers, and binary data.

DLP solutions typically use a combination of techniques to detect and prevent data leakage, such as:

• Content inspection: DLP solutions can scan data as it is being transmitted or stored to detect sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, or confidential business information.
• Encryption: DLP solutions can automatically encrypt sensitive data to prevent unauthorised access or exfiltration.
• Access controls: DLP solutions can be configured to enforce access controls and permissions to prevent unauthorised users from accessing sensitive data.
• Data Loss Prevention Policy: DLP solutions can be configured to enforce organisation-wide data loss prevention policies, such as prohibit sharing of sensitive data via email or instant messaging.
• monitoring and alerting: DLP solutions can monitor data transmissions and storage for suspicious activity and alert security personnel when potential data leakage is detected.
It's important to note that DLP is not a one-time solution but rather an ongoing process that requires regular review, updating and testing to ensure that it is effectively protecting the organisation's sensitive data.