Lightweight, Easy-to-Use Data Loss Prevention Software

Data loss prevention (DLP) is a term encompassing the array of tools and processes security professionals and technology support staff use to prevent sensitive data from being lost, improperly used, or accessed without proper authorization.

Data loss prevention is also a critical aspect of regulatory compliance for many companies, especially for those needing to protect medical, personal, or financial data. If you need to comply with HIPAA, for example, having a DLP solution is a must.

Of course, there are standard countermeasures users can take to protect their data, including antivirus software, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other common products designed to protect against insider and outsider cyberattacks. 

However, if a malicious actor gains access to a single user account—whether through phishing or other means—they may be able to access sensitive data without triggering typical security countermeasures. Many users employ DLP software capable of automatically flagging suspicious user activity and potentially improper data changes.

Data loss prevention works through a combination of software and security best practices. DLP software helps identify and prevent potential data breaches and unauthorized transmissions by monitoring, detecting, and blocking them. This can occur while sensitive data is in motion (DLP tools monitor network traffic), at rest (DLP solutions monitor data storage volumes), or in use (DLP software monitors endpoint actions). By using DLP software solutions to proactively monitor all three elements, users can help prevent unauthorized access or the transfer of protected information.

Though data loss and data leakage can both lead to data breaches, they’re technically two different categories of events. With data loss, the data in question is gone and may not be recoverable, as is the case during a misplaced or stolen flash drive or a ransomware attack. Data leakage, on the other hand, involves sensitive information moving between critical systems—usually systems of records. Data leakages can occur when data flows into complementary systems without the same level of data protection.

Data loss prevention tools work to detect and prevent sensitive data from leaving the network, and data leakage prevention ensures similar data protection levels are applied across multiple systems where data may be transmitted.

Using data loss prevention software is key to preventing data loss and data leakage, as this software can provide you with visibility into user activity, permissions levels, and even changes to files and folders.

Access control is required for ensuring data protection, especially if you hope to maintain compliance. Employees need to be able to access data, but their ability to view, alter, delete, or upload files should be limited according to their role. You should assign permissions according to the “least privileges” principle, in which access levels are kept as minimal as possible while allowing employees to do their work. You should also set alerts for activity around sensitive enterprise data, as improper or suspicious changes to certain files and folders shouldn’t go unnoticed. At the same time, you should provide data owners with some responsibility and control over access rights, so managers have oversight and the ability to allow access as appropriate. 

Data loss prevention tools allow users to monitor, detect, and receive alerts on activity, especially for sensitive data. This activity may match data exfiltration patterns, with specific emphasis on activity indicative of unauthorized data access. DLP software solutions provide critical visibility into many potentially problematic factors, from insecure configurations and potential system compromises to abnormal activity and insider threats. This visibility also helps reduce incident response time and ensure compliance. 

DLP software monitors changes made in Active Directory and the file server, focusing on user-initiated events and recording security-related activity across the network. Malicious activity is associated with a higher volume of occurrences for these events, especially if they take place in unusually short periods of time. DLP tools allow users to track changes across the network. 

Since DLP tools proactively send alerts if they detect this sort of activity, they’re often the fastest way to stay abreast of unauthorized changes. DLP software also provides reporting to meet compliance and auditing requirements, as it allows you to identify areas of weakness and anomalies for forensics and incident response.

SolarWinds^® Access Rights Manager^™ (ARM) helps ensure proper data security standards and prevent insider threats by giving you insight into user permissions settings and activity.

The broad range of security functions and capabilities this DLP tool provides allows users to automate much of the access rights management, analysis, and enforcement processes. ARM provides critical visibility into Active Directory by monitoring and auditing changes based on who made the changes and when. Paired with the robust notifications system in ARM, users can stay up-to-date regarding unauthorized access or changes made to Windows file servers. In addition, ARM helps prevent internal security threats by analyzing privileged user credentials and group memberships.

The easy-to-use dashboard and alerting system in SolarWinds ARM provide at-a-glance insights into changes made to sensitive data by providing visualizations of file server permissions.

Related Features:

Cybersecurity Risk Management Access Management System Active Directory Management Tool Automate User Account Management SAP Monitoring Tool OneDrive Permissions Monitoring OneDrive Group Policy Access Change Monitoring NTFS Permissions Report Tool NTFS Permissions Management Account Takeover Prevention Compromised Credentials

Related Tools:

Security Event Manager Patch Manager Identity Monitor