From intellectual property to customer records, protecting business data is no longer optional. Data Loss Prevention (DLP) refers to a set of tools, policies, and strategies designed to prevent unauthorised access, leakage, or destruction of critical data.

Whether it’s an accidental email to the wrong recipient or a malicious insider exfiltrating files, DLP helps organisations detect, monitor, and block risky data movements before any damage can be done.

Having a Data Loss Prevention Policy can prevent:

• Data Breaches: External attacks or insider threats that expose sensitive data
• Accidental Sharing: Employees unintentionally sending confidential info to the wrong person
• Malware & Phishing: Cyberattacks that steal or corrupt data
• Non-Compliance: Violations of regulations like GDPR or PCI DSS
• Reputation Damage: Loss of customer trust after a breach

How to minimise the risks of data loss

Here’s a multi-layered approach to building a resilient DLP strategy:

1. Classify Your Data

• Identify what data is sensitive (e.g. company confidential, financial records, intellectual property)
• Apply labels and tags to enforce protection policies.
• Labels can include: public, internal-only, confidential, and restricted.

2. Encrypt Everything

• Use encryption for data at rest and in transit
• Ensure only authorised users can decrypt and access sensitive files

3. Implement Access Controls

• Use role-based access control (RBAC) to limit who can view or modify data, with employees only being able to view data that is absolutely necessary for their role.
• Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA)

4. Monitor & Audit Activity

• Deploy real-time monitoring tools to track data movement
• Set alerts for unusual behaviour or unauthorised access

5. Train Your Team

• Educate employees on phishing, secure data handling, and compliance
• Run simulations to test awareness and response

6. Secure Endpoints

• Install antivirus, firewalls, and endpoint protection software (We can support you to use quality Cisco Security products)
• Restrict use of USB drives and external devices

7. Use Data Loss Prevention Software

• Software can offer robust automated visibility and control across email, cloud, and endpoints that can help your organisation govern, protect, and manage data, wherever it lives.
  • Options include Microsoft Purview, features within Cisco Umbrella, Fotra’s Digital Guardian, amongst many. Consider which will integrate well with your existing business applications, and does it offer the enforcement, flexibility and analytics etc. you require.

In Summary

Data loss isn’t just a technical issue, it’s a business risk. By combining smart technology with strong policies and employee awareness, organisations can build a culture of data protection that minimises risk and maximises trust.