Seven Steps to Data Loss Prevention

It is not that only large enterprise should worry about Data Loss Prevention because now even small companies of all sizes are the target for hackers. Having a DLP in place

Hackercombat aims to guide the user with this guide to inform what’s new in data loss prevention systems, including cloud access security brokers.

For every company Data Loss Prevention (DLP) was a major concern. Earlier the focus was on the secure the physical documents, which can be easily stolen by the criminals during transit.

The growth of the Internet has increased the magnitude and with that, it has increased the chances of data theft. In short, the channels have made the job of the cyber criminals easier.

DLP is known for a multi-year undertaking, a DLP program can be a manageable, progressive process if organizations focus on a progressive approach. In the words of Gartner Research VP Anton Chuvakin

The 7 Step to develop and deploy DLP Strategy

This chart provides general guidelines that your DLP strategy should follow, bear in mind that there are a number of fundamental activities that must occur when initiating a data loss prevention program. It is all about choosing the right DLP solution for your organization.

1. Set Your Data on priority
Not all data is important, but the need to prioritize the data is very important, and what will cause your problem. A company may want to keep their intellectual property on top priority in their DLP efforts, particularly those for their future projects. Retailers and financial service companies may want to keep their PCI data on high priority. Healthcare companies would like to keep their patient records safe.

2. Classify the Data or Categorize

A formidable challenge in DLP is to classify data by context; associating with the source application, data store, or the user who created the data. Applying classification tags to allow organizations to track its use. Content inspection is also useful and often comes with pre-configured rules for PCI, PII, and other standards.

3. Know what Data is at Risk

This may type of data, encryption and security controls may provide security when data is at rest, inside the firewall. Data that is shared with partners, customers and the supply chain, the risk is different. In these cases, it is often at highest risk at the moment of use on endpoints. A robust data loss prevention must account for the mobility of data and the moments when data is put at risk.

4. Monitor all data movement

Identify and understand how data is used and their existing behavior based on which you can say how critically important it is. Not all data movement represents data loss, but some action can increase the risk of data loss. Organizations should monitor all data movement and keep their sensitive data safe and determine the scope of the issues that the DLP strategy must take care of.

5. Develop controls

The next step for effective data loss prevention is to work with business managers to understand and create controls for reducing data risk. Monitoring will give you an idea of how data is put at risk. Data usage controls may be the simplest of a DLP initiative, while generating support from line managers. As the data loss prevention program matures, organizations can develop better methods to mitigate specific risks.

6. Educate employees and provide guidance

One thing has often proven that user training can often mitigate the risk of accidental data loss by insiders. The organization can educate employees often how certain their actions can result in data loss. Advanced DLP solutions should prompt employees of data use that may violate company policy.

7. Get in control

Chalking out which data is important and getting control of it the most important first step in data loss prevention, but not the last. Data loss prevention is an ongoing process and starting with a focused effort. DLP is simpler to implement and manage, and if implemented properly it will also provide lessons on how to expand the program. Over time, you will be able to keep all the sensitive information secured, with minimal disruption to business processes.