Key points

• When selecting a DLP solution, ensure it provides comprehensive visibility, flexible controls, and supports cross-platform environments.
• Modern cloud-native DLP solutions are essential for securing data in cloud environments, offering easy management, scalability, and advanced features like machine learning to effectively manage and protect data.
• Choosing a DLP solution with robust support for customisable policies tailored to your organisation’s unique data handling requirements ensures effective protection and compliance.
• Metomic provides tailored DLP solutions that include advanced analytics and reporting capabilities, ensuring proactive identification and resolution of potential data security issues.

As organisations increasingly rely on data for operations and decision making, keeping this data safe is more crucial than ever.

That’s where Data Loss Prevention (DLP) comes in. Its function is to proactively protect your data from breaches, leaks, or misuse, keeping your organisation’s data safe, and maintaining a compliant stance with data security regulations.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the process of choosing the best DLP solution for your business. We’ll explore the fundamentals of data protection, and help you navigate the complexities associated with operating in cloud environments.

Additionally, we’ll demonstrate how advanced technologies and customised strategies, such as those offered by Metomic, can effectively enhance and strengthen your organisation’s data security posture.

Understanding Data Loss Prevention

In a world where data is the new gold, protecting it is of paramount importance. Organisations store vast amounts of valuable information, from customer details to confidential business strategies. If this data falls into the wrong hands, the consequences can be devastating.

To give you an idea of the scale of the problem, 35,900,145,035 known records have been breached globally so far in 2024. That’s an astronomical number and a stark reminder of why comprehensive data protection measures are critical.

DLP solutions help organisations monitor and control data movement, making sure that sensitive information stays secure. They can identify potential risks, like unauthorised access or data transfer, and take action to prevent breaches before they happen.

This proactive approach is crucial in maintaining the trust of customers and stakeholders at the same time as safeguarding the organisation’s intellectual property.

Key factors to consider when selecting a DLP solution

Choosing the right DLP solution is a critical step in keeping your organisation’s data secure.

Here are some key factors you might want to consider when deciding which solution is right for you.

1. A comprehensive cybersecurity approach

A strong DLP solution should be part of a broader, integrated cyber security strategy that involves multiple tools working together. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of data security are covered, from firewalls and antivirus software, to intrusion detection systems.

Each tool plays a unique role in protecting your infrastructure, and a DLP solution adds an essential layer by focusing specifically on preventing data loss.

2. Data visibility, discovery, and classification

One of the fundamental features of an effective DLP solution is the ability to provide comprehensive visibility into your data. This involves discovering where all your sensitive data resides - whether on local servers, in the cloud, or across networked devices—and accurately classifying it.

Proper data classification is crucial for applying the right security measures and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations. The goal is to know what data you have, where it is, and how it’s being used, so you can protect it appropriately.

3. Data handling policy templates and customisation

Many DLP tools come with built-in policy templates for common types of sensitive data, such as Personal Identifiable Information (PII) and Protected Health Information (PHI). These templates provide a great starting point, enabling you to implement basic security measures quickly.

However, every organisation has unique data handling requirements, so the ability to customise these policies is equally important. Customisation allows you to tailor a DLP solution to your specific needs and respond effectively to any unique challenges your organisation might face.

4. Flexible controls

An effective DLP solution should offer flexible and fine-grained control over data handling policies. This means being able to set detailed rules about how data can be accessed, transferred, and used within your organisation.

For instance, you might want to restrict file transfers based on the size or destination of the data, or set different access levels for different user roles. Having these flexible controls ensures that your DLP solution can adapt to the specific needs and policies of your organisation.

5. Analytics and reporting

Analytics and reporting are vital components of a DLP solution. They help you monitor data use and identify any policy violations or unusual activities that could indicate a security threat. By providing detailed insights and reports, these tools enable you to take proactive measures to address potential issues before they escalate.

Additionally, analytics can reveal patterns that suggest a need for further employee training or adjustments to your data handling policies, enhancing your overall security posture.

6. Cross-platform support

Today’s IT environments are getting increasingly diverse, so it’s essential for your DLP solution to support various endpoints and operating systems. Your chosen solution should be compatible with all the devices and platforms your organisation uses.

7. Delivery method

When it comes to implementing a DLP solution, you have two main options: on-premises or cloud-delivered.

On-premises solutions require you to provide the necessary infrastructure and technical support, which can involve significant costs and resource commitments. However, they offer greater control over the data and the security measures in place.

On the other hand, cloud-delivered solutions are typically more cost-effective and can be deployed more quickly. They eliminate the need for extensive hardware and on-site support, making them an attractive option for organisations with limited IT resources or a remote workforce.

However, it’s crucial to ensure that the cloud provider meets your security and compliance requirements.

Modern cloud data loss prevention solutions

The digital landscape is rapidly evolving, and one of the most significant shifts has been towards cloud-based services.

With 94% of enterprises using cloud services, and 67% of enterprise infrastructure now being cloud-based, this trend has major implications for data security.

Let’s take a look at how a move into the Cloud could impact data security efforts.

Adoption of cloud services

The widespread adoption of cloud services has transformed how organisations manage and store data. While the cloud offers numerous benefits, including flexibility and scalability, it also introduces new challenges for data security. The sheer volume of data stored across various cloud platforms can make it difficult to maintain visibility and control.

Without proper security measures, sensitive information can be at risk.

Cloud-native data security

To effectively manage these challenges, organisations need cloud-native data security solutions.

These solutions are designed specifically for cloud environments, providing the visibility and control necessary to protect data in a distributed, cloud-based infrastructure.

Cloud-native DLP solutions allow organisations to monitor data movement, enforce security policies, and respond to potential threats in real time.

Limitations of legacy solutions

Legacy solutions like Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) were once the go-to for securing cloud environments, but they come with significant limitations.

CASBs operate at the network layer, which means they can’t inspect content without decrypting traffic—a practice discouraged by cloud providers like Microsoft and Google.

Additionally, CASBs often miss traffic that bypasses their proxies, leaving gaps in visibility. They also struggle with the latency introduced by traditional data classification methods, making them less effective in modern cloud environments.

Characteristics of modern cloud DLP solutions

1. Ease of installation and management

Modern cloud DLP solutions should be easy to install and manage. You don’t want to spend days or weeks deploying a new system.

Instead, look for solutions that can be quickly set up and configured, allowing you to start protecting your data immediately. Efficient management tools are also crucial, enabling you to maintain security without extensive effort.

2. Nearly invisible but highly impactful

A good DLP solution should be almost invisible to your end-users but still highly impactful. This means it should seamlessly integrate into your existing workflows, encouraging secure collaboration without obstructing daily operations.

By providing context-aware actions and clear justifications for any alerts, these solutions help foster a security-conscious culture within your organisation.

3. Scalability

Scalability is another key feature of modern cloud DLP solutions. Whether you have 70 users today or 200 tomorrow, your DLP system should be able to handle the change without breaking a sweat. Scalable solutions ensure that as your organisation grows, your data security measures can keep pace.

4. Minimal resource requirements

Finally, modern cloud DLP solutions should require minimal resources for implementation and maintenance. You shouldn’t need a large, dedicated team to manage your data security.

Look for solutions that offer automated policies and straightforward alert reviews, allowing your existing staff to effectively oversee data protection without being overwhelmed.

3 Practical tips for selecting the right DLP solution

Choosing the right DLP solution is crucial for safeguarding your organisation's sensitive information. With so many options available, it can be challenging to know where to start.

Here are some practical tips to help you navigate the selection process effectively.

1. Assess your needs

Before diving into the selection process, it's essential to evaluate your organisation's specific needs. Consider the types of data you handle, where it's stored, and who has access to it.

Identify any unique requirements or regulatory standards that your organisation must comply with. This assessment will help you pinpoint the features and capabilities you need in a DLP solution.

For example, if your organisation deals with a lot of PII or PHI, you'll need a DLP solution that excels in identifying and protecting these types of data.

Understanding your specific needs will provide a clear direction and make the evaluation process more manageable.

2. Evaluate solutions

Once you have a clear understanding of your needs, it's time to evaluate different DLP solutions. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Comprehensive cybersecurity approach: Ensure the solution integrates seamlessly with your existing cybersecurity tools and provides a holistic approach to data protection.
• Data visibility, discovery, and classification: Look for solutions that offer robust visibility into your data resources and can accurately classify data based on context and content.
• Data handling policy templates and customisation: Choose a solution with built-in policy templates for common types of sensitive data and the flexibility to customise these policies to fit your unique requirements.
• Flexible controls: Opt for a solution that allows you to implement fine-grained controls over data handling policies, such as limiting file transfers based on location or size.
• Analytics and reporting: Select a solution that provides detailed analytics and reporting to help you identify policy violations and areas for improvement.
• Cross-platform support: Ensure the solution supports all the endpoints and operating systems used within your organisation.
• Delivery method: Consider whether an on-premises or cloud-delivered solution best fits your organisation's infrastructure and budget.

A practical tip is to create a checklist of these factors and rate each potential solution against them. This structured approach will help you objectively compare the options and make an informed decision.

3. Implement and monitor

After selecting the right DLP solution, the next step is implementation. Ensure you follow the vendor's guidelines and best practices for deployment. This might involve training your IT team or collaborating with the vendor's support team to ensure a smooth rollout.

Once implemented, continuous monitoring is essential to ensure the solution is effective. Regularly review analytics and reports to identify any recurring issues or potential improvements. It's also a good idea to conduct periodic audits to ensure compliance with your data protection policies.

Remember, the goal is to have a DLP solution that not only protects your data but also adapts to the evolving security landscape. By following these practical tips, you can choose and maintain a DLP solution that keeps your organisation's sensitive information secure.

How Metomic can help

Choosing the right DLP solution can be daunting, but Metomic simplifies the process by offering a suite of advanced features tailored to your organisation’s needs. Here’s how Metomic stands out:

• Visibility and classification: Metomic provides comprehensive visibility into your organisation's data resources, enabling effective classification and handling of data across all local, network, and cloud repositories.
• Customisable policies: With Metomic, you can implement built-in policy templates for common types of sensitive data, such as PII and PHI, and customise these policies to meet your organisation's unique data handling requirements.
• Flexible controls: Metomic allows you to implement fine-grained controls over data handling policies, ensuring that you can limit activities like file transfers based on location or size, tailored to your specific needs.
• Advanced analytics and reporting: Our solution offers robust analytics and reporting capabilities to help you identify recurring policy violations, potential insider threats, and inefficiencies in your data handling policies.
• Integration with various SaaS platforms: Metomic integrates with a number of different SaaS applications such as Google Drive, Slack, Jira, and more, ensuring effective monitoring and enforcement of data handling policies, no matter where your sensitive data is.

By leveraging these features, Metomic not only helps you protect your data but also ensures that your data protection measures are efficient and adaptable to the changing security landscape.

Want to see how Metomic can transform your data protection? Book a personalised demo today and experience our advanced DLP features firsthand.