Data loss prevention (DLP) is the process of protecting your data from unauthorized access or theft. With an effective DLP policy in place, you can prevent costly data breaches, comply with data privacy regulations, and maintain the trust of your customers.
However, while a DLP policy sounds all well and good, not many know how to implement one in the first place. That’s why we’ve compiled a guide to developing and implementing a proper DLP plan below.
Understand your compliance obligations
The first step to developing a DLP policy is to understand the specific data regulations your business is obliged to follow. These regulations can vary depending on the type of data you manage as well as the industry you’re in. For instance, companies that process and manage the personal information of EU citizens are required to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Meanwhile, healthcare organizations have to adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) when it comes to data privacy.
Knowing your compliance obligations enables you to define the scope of your DLP plan, specifically how data should be collected, shared, and managed. Compliance regulations also provide a framework for protecting the confidentiality and integrity of your data (e.g., access controls, network firewalls, encryption, etc.).
Keep a data inventory
When crafting your DLP strategy, it’s crucial to know what data you’re protecting. This involves identifying and cataloging the types and locations of sensitive data across your organization. From here, you can then develop a robust classification system, in which data is categorized based on its level of sensitivity and importance. For example, personal information and financial records may warrant a higher level of protection than standard forms and document templates.
With a detailed data inventory and classification, applying DLP policies and protocols becomes a much easier task. You’ll know which data should be fully encrypted, limit who has access to the most sensitive records, and which documents to recover first in case of a data breach.
Install solutions to enforce DLP policies
Implementing robust solutions to enforce DLP policies is crucial for safeguarding sensitive information. These solutions should include end-to-end encryption, endpoint protection, network monitoring, and access controls to protect data wherever it may reside. Modern email clients also provide DLP settings that prevent any attempts to share sensitive information with external domains and entities.
Establish an incident response plan
In addition to DLP security solutions, you need an incident response plan for when data breaches or security incidents occur. This plan should outline clear steps for detecting and containing the breach as well as detailed procedures for notifying affected parties. Incident response plans may involve implementing data backup solutions to ensure that critical information can be quickly restored, minimizing the potential damage to your operations.
Put your DLP strategy in motion
Once you’ve got a DLP plan on hand, the next stage is turning it into action. Security protocols such as isolating devices from your network, killing unwanted processes, implementing access controls, and blocking risky activities may form part of your game plan as you roll out your strategy.
Moreover, educating employees on your DLP policies and processes is vital for ensuring compliance and minimizing human error. Teach staff how to properly manage the sensitive information they’re authorized to access. Ideally, they should learn never to share sensitive data with anyone outside the company unless permitted to do so and avoid accessing such data when connected to public Wi-Fi networks. Employees should also be trained to recognize and respond to potential security threats, such as phishing emails or suspicious links, which could compromise sensitive information.
Review and improve upon your plan
Finally, ensure ongoing evaluation and refinement of your DLP strategy to adapt to evolving threats and changing business needs. Regularly reviewing your DLP program helps you detect and address any potential vulnerabilities before they cause a major data breach incident.
Additionally, regular assessment and improvement ensures a proactive stance toward data security. This will prompt you and your teams to continually update software solutions, enhance employee training programs, or implement new technologies to address new cybersecurity trends. This way, you’ll stay abreast of the latest developments in data security and stay one step ahead of potential threats.
Looking to improve your data protection? Our experts at SpectrumWise can guide you through our extensive range of competitive cybersecurity solutions, from the latest encryption technologies to proactive monitoring. Keep your assets secured — get in touch with us today.
