DLP enables businesses to detect data loss, as well as prevent the illicit transfer of data outside the organization and the unwanted destruction of sensitive or personally identifiable data (PII). It is also used to help organizations with data security and ensure they comply with regulations like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The terms "data loss" and "data leakage prevention" are often used interchangeably, but DLP security enables organizations to defend themselves against both.
Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
PII is data that could potentially identify an individual or distinguish them from another person. This includes end-users' email addresses, mailing addresses, and Social security numbers, as well as IP addresses, login IDs, social media posts, and biometric and geolocation information. There are stringent regulations in place to protect this, such as GDPR, that grant people more rights around how companies handle their data and impose heavy fines for noncompliance and breaches. DLP security enables businesses to classify, identify, and tag data and monitor activities and events surrounding it. It also provides the reporting capabilities that let organizations complete compliance audits.
Intellectual Property (IP)
Intellectual Property includes software, proprietary data, and original works. IP owners need to ensure their digital assets are secure behind proper security protocols and defenses, including firewalls, restricted access privileges, and intrusion detection and prevention systems. Malicious actors who gain access to intellectual property may cause severe losses by destroying irreplaceable information or code, copying protected assets and selling or distributing them on the Internet, and otherwise exploiting unauthorized access for their own gain.
HIPAA compliance
HIPAA places extensive data security requirements on all businesses that have access to, process, and store any protected health information. The organization defines guidelines, policies, and procedures for maintaining the privacy and security of individually identifiable health information. It also outlines offenses and civil and criminal penalties for failing to protect this data. Like GDPR, DLP is vital for organizations that need to comply with HIPAA. It allows them to identify, classify, and tag data that is covered by regulations and ensure end-users are protected.
