An organization needs to make sure sensitive data like confidential information of the company or data collected from customers do not get shared outside the internal network without legitimate reasons. Sometimes sensitive data get shared outside the company network purposefully because of internal threats. And, sometimes, it happens accidentally by ignorant employees. A company needs to prevent its employees from sharing sensitive data accidentally or purposefully. Data Loss Prevention is a solution or process that is used for that purpose.

What is Data Loss Prevention (DLP)?

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a strategy to ensure that end-users do not intentionally or accidentally send sensitive data or critical information outside the corporate network. Sensitive data may include confidential information such as Intellectual Property or corporate data such as financial documents, strategic planning documents, employee information, and customer data such as Social Security Numbers, credit card numbers, medical records, etc.

DLP can be effectively used to prevent insider threats and comply with rigorous state privacy laws.