In today’s digital world, it has become even more important than ever to guard sensitive information. As an IT manager, you are well aware of the risks that data loss can pose to your organization. These risks, which range from unintentional disclosures to deliberate assaults, are genuine and have the potential to damage your company. This is where Data Loss Prevention technology comes in. DLP tools help you secure the critical data of your company and ensure that this sensitive data is kept safe while in line with regulations.
In this blog, you’ll discover the 10 best data loss prevention tools to make your workplace safer. You’ll also learn which features are essential when choosing the right DLP solution, along with practical tips for selecting the best fit for your specific needs. Let’s dive into the tools that will keep your organization’s sensitive information safe and sound!
What are the Must-Have Features to Consider When Picking the Right Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Tool?
Following are the must-have features to consider when choosing the right data loss prevention solution.
1. Data Discovery and Classification
A data loss prevention tool should help you find and categorize sensitive data across your network. Knowing where important information is stored on your servers, in the cloud, or on devices gives you a better chance at protecting it. This feature not only helps keep your data safe but also supports compliance audits, showing that you manage your data.
2. Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts
A DLP tool should enable real-time monitoring of data access and transfers. That means you can view specifically what is happening as it happens. This means that if something seems not right, like an employee trying to download several pieces of sensitive data, an alarm will be raised promptly, alerting you that a possible breach might have just occurred. This feature enables you to act rapidly against breaches. With real-time visibility into data interactions, you can protect your organization and maintain a strong security stance.
3. Policy Customization
Since each organization is unique, your DLP tool needs to be flexible enough so you can modify the rules to fit your requirements. This includes determining what data should be treated as sensitive, setting guidelines for handling such sensitive data, or specifying who can access certain types of files and what operations are allowed on those files. This flexibility will allow your DLP tool to work with several kinds of data, as well as different user roles and various compliance requirements. Such adaptability enables you to respond to the dynamic changes in security threats as well as regulations.
4. Data Encryption and Masking:
In choosing a DLP tool, look for features in data encryption and masking. Encryption protects your sensitive information by turning it into a code that only authorized users can read, so even if someone steals the data, they can’t access it without the right key. Masking substitutes the sensitive data with dummy data that looks real but does not expose any actual information, so it can be tested or shared without risk. With these features on your DLP tool, your organization’s data stays safe against breaches.
5. Comprehensive Reporting:
Ensure that your DLP tool has comprehensive reporting functionality so that you can monitor the patterns in data breaches over time. Strong reporting improves your understanding of breach occurrences, what kind of data is mostly breached, and whether your policies are sufficient or need additional updates. All such information is critical for audits and compliance, since you can demonstrate to the regulators that you are actively protecting sensitive information. With clear and detailed reports, you can make smart decisions and keep improving your efforts in data protection.
Top 10 Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Tools for Organizations to Safeguard Sensitive Information
The following are the best 10 data loss prevention solutions for organizations.
1. Cyberheaven
Cyberheaven is a data loss prevention solution that helps businesses prevent leaks and breaches of sensitive information. It tracks data on your network, so you know where important information is located and how it is being used. You can set rules determining who can access and use this information based on your organization’s needs. Cyberheaven has tools to keep you responsive if a data breach happens. The software monitors user activity to catch any unusual behavior that may indicate a problem. Furthermore, the design of this software is easy to use so that your staff can immediately begin using the tool with minimal training.
Features of Cyberheaven:
- Data Monitoring
- Customizable Policy Enforcement
- Incident Response Tools
Rating:
G2: 4.8/5
2. Time Champ’s DLP
Time Champ offers an excellent data loss prevention solution tool that prevents unauthorized access and data breaches of sensitive information within an organization. It ensures a safe space for confidential information by monitoring how data is accessed and shared. Additional features such as screenshots, screen recordings, and keystroke monitoring give you deeper visibility of user activity for proactive data protection. In this digital world of today, this solution enables you to set clear rules regarding access so that only authorized individuals can view or share sensitive data. By reducing data loss, Time Champ’s DLP becomes an integral part of your organization’s plan for the overall protection of data.
Key Features of Time Champ’s DLP:
- Website Access Control: This feature allows you to restrict or permit access to particular websites, ensuring that employees visit only safe sites relevant to their work. With the control of allowing access to a website, you can minimize the exposure of data through malicious sites.
- USB Access Control: With this feature, you can control which USB devices can connect to your company’s computers. By limiting USB access, you would also stop sensitive data from being copied onto unauthorized devices helping guard your information even more.
- File Monitoring: DLP by Time Champ monitors your files in the organization closely. This allows you to see how files are accessed, changed, or shared, which helps detect unusual activity before it turns into a bigger problem.
- Upload/Download Restrictions: This feature allows you to set limits on uploading and downloading files. You can define which files can be shared with people outside the organization and block the transfer of sensitive information, keeping your critical data within your organization.
Rating:
G2: 4.8/5
3. Forcepoint DLP
Forcepoint DLP is designed to assist you in defending your organization’s sensitive data. It monitors data movements and implements security policies on data leakages. Armed with smart analytics, Forcepoint can identify risks even before they strike and notify you before any breaches occur. This allows you to secure all your important information while complying with industry rules. Through Forcepoint, you can establish a data-security culture within your team, training its members to handle sensitive information carefully.
Features of Forcepoint DLP:
Contextual Awareness
Advanced Analytics and User Behavior Analysis
Cloud and Endpoint Protection
Rating:
G2: 4.4/5
4. Broadcom Symantec DLP
Broadcom Symantec DLP is a data loss prevention software that protects your organization’s sensitive information from being lost or leaked, whether accidentally or intentionally. With the number of cyber threats on the rise, it is better to have a system that monitors how your data is used and shared. This solution helps find where your sensitive data is located, how people access it, and how it moves around your network. By using Broadcom Symantec DLP, you can ensure that your organization adheres to regulations, reduces the risks of costly data breaches and keeps your sensitive information safe.
Features of Broadcom Symantec DLP:
Data Discovery
Policy Enforcement
Real-time Monitoring
Rating:
G2: 4.4/5
5. Trellix (formerly McAfee DLP)
Trellix is a Data Loss Prevention tool that protects the sensitive information of your organization. With Trellix, you can prevent data from leaving your business either unintentionally or intentionally. Using this tool, you will be able to monitor the way data moves across the device, network, or even the cloud knowing your critical information is well-protected. This will be a safe method to keep you abreast of all the rules and regulations set in place for you so that you have a smaller chance of data loss, and it can help to keep your credibility intact at work.
Features of Trellix (formerly McAfee DLP):
Comprehensive Data Monitoring
Automated Policy Enforcement
Advanced Data Classification
Rating:
G2: 4.5/5
6. Proofpoint Enterprise DLP
Proofpoint Enterprise DLP is a very powerful tool in helping your organization protect the information it has. This Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solution detects and safeguards sensitive data wherever they reside – within emails, cloud storage, or across your network. Designed for simplicity, it helps you to speed up monitoring, controlling, and responding to risks of data leakage. With Proofpoint, you minimize losing data possibility, be in the rules, and ensure that the information of your organization is secured within your organization.
Features of Proofpoint Enterprise DLP:
Real-Time Data Detection
Customizable Policies
Incident Response Tools
Rating:
G2: 4.4/5
7. Digital Guardian DLP by Fortra
The Fortra Digital Guardian DLP solution safeguards sensitive firm information by helping you keep tabs on the type of usage and sharing that happens on sensitive items like client details and confidential company material. Combining data discovery, classification and endpoint protection in a single product ensures holistic protection for all data from every kind of device involved, stored locally, on cloud servers, or simply as they’re transferred across networks. Digital Guardian provides security policy enforcement based on user behavior and context that prevents unauthorized access and breaches while supporting productivity. It helps you manage your data protection needs effectively and enables you to meet compliance requirements.
Features of Digital Guardian DLP by Fortra:
Data Discovery and Classification
Real-Time Monitoring and Control
Policy Enforcement
Rating:
G2: 4.3/5
8. CoSoSys Endpoint Protector
CoSoSys Endpoint Protector is a DLP tool that will keep your sensitive information from leaking or unauthorized access. It allows you to view and control how data is used and shared on all devices, including laptops, desktops, and USB drives. With CoSoSys, you can set up security rules that fit your organization, making sure that important data stays protected, whether your employees are working in the office or at home. This solution will not only protect your sensitive information but also help you meet data protection laws, giving you peace of mind.
Features of CoSoSys Endpoint Protector:
Device Control
Content Discovery
Policy Enforcement
Rating:
G2: 4.5/5
9. Microsoft DLP
Microsoft DLP is a Data Loss Prevention tool that helps your organization keep sensitive information safe from being shared or accessed in a bad way. It lets you see and control how data is used across Microsoft 365 services, like SharePoint, OneDrive, and Outlook. Microsoft DLP will assist automatically in checking and protecting data shared both within and with third parties, based on rules and policies established for your company. The application ensures that personal data or private business information is secured as well as within the regulations set by the governments of those countries.
Features of Microsoft DLP:
Customizable Policy Creation
Content Scanning and Monitoring
Real-Time Alerts and Notifications
Rating:
G2: 4.5/5
10. Palo Alto Networks Enterprise DLP
Palo Alto Networks Enterprise DLP helps businesses like yours safeguard valuable information from loss and theft. The product is designed to protect your company’s data, whether it is on a computer, in the cloud, or sent via email. It monitors how your data is accessed and controls it, preventing sensitive information from falling into harm’s way while allowing your team to work efficiently. Enterprise DLP assists you in creating rules that will stop data leaks, notify you of potential risks, and help you maintain compliance with regulations, all while making your task of managing data protection easier.
Features of Palo Alto Networks Enterprise DLP:
Comprehensive Visibility
Policy Enforcement
Real-Time Monitoring
Rating:
G2: 4.3/5
How Can You Select the Most Suitable DLP Solution for your Business?
1. Identify Your Data Protection Needs
Identify the types of data that your business should protect, such as customer information, financial records, intellectual property, and internal documents. The protection needed will vary by data type, so one solution is unlikely to secure everything comprehensively.
For example, if you hold a lot of customer information, you’ll require a DLP solution, such as network DLP or email DLP features, that includes encryption and the capability to track device activity. Identify what is most vital to be protected as a form of initial selection and choose your DLP solution based on what it protects.
2. Ensure Compatibility with Existing Systems
The DLP solution should work well with your current IT setup. Check how it fits with your networks, cloud services, and devices (like desktops and mobile phones). If the solution doesn’t match, it could interrupt your workflows or lead to expensive IT changes. It’s best to select data loss prevention vendors that have a history of working well together to ensure effective data protection without causing delays in your operations.
3. Evaluate Coverage and Flexibility
The DLP solution should address all points where data flows —endpoints, networks, and cloud environments. Full coverage ensures that sensitive information is protected anywhere and anytime, from any device or access method. Scalability is also essential for accommodating your growing business. As you expand into new markets or expansion in remote workers, your DLP must support more users, devices, and data channels with no compromising performance.
4. Check Compliance Features
Most businesses must adhere to a range of data privacy laws, including GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA. Your chosen DLP solution should ideally have built-in features for compliance or additional tools to help meet these requirements. A compliance-focused DLP solution will protect you from legal issues and build greater trust with your clients. It must offer features for compliance reports with masked and encrypted protections so as to ease auditing procedures.
5. Consider Vendor Support and Total Cost
Evaluate the reputation of the vendor and the overall cost of purchasing a DLP solution. Good vendor support makes it easy to solve many problems and update security settings. Research the opinions of various clients on your potential DLP solution of choice, to ensure that their support can be relied upon. Determine the total cost which includes licensing, deployment, or setup and subsequent maintenance by some DLP solutions whereby extra charges apply that make a difference. Choose a solution that provides you with good features at a fair total cost so that you can get the best value out of your investment.
Conclusion
As data security threats rise, protecting your organization’s confidential information is of great importance. Using the right DLP tools stops data leaks, follows the rules, and builds client and employee trust. These DLP solutions have specific features to keep an eye on and secure your data as they fit your organizational needs. By choosing the right data loss prevention services, you can make the workplace safer and avoid any chance of data loss which will make it easy for your team to work confidently.
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Signup for FreeBook DemoFrequently Asked Questions
Data Loss Prevention, or DLP, is the set of tools and techniques that protect sensitive information. DLP solutions scan and manage data sharing or transfer, preventing loss, misuse, and unauthorized access, thus protecting organizations’ critical information.
DLP is important to a company since it protects secret information from being lost negligently, stolen, or accessed by the wrong person. Using DLP methods can reduce the chances of data breaches by protecting sensitive information, ensuring legal adherence, and maintaining a healthy trust relationship with clients involved.
DLP tools help track data protection laws, which include GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA, by monitoring data, enforcing rules, and reporting. These tools ensure proper management of sensitive information and even prove the organization is working on legal compliance.
Yes, small businesses also deal with sensitive information and are vulnerable to data breaches. With the DLP solution, all important data will be secured, building up customer trust and avoiding legal issues due to data loss.
If the DLP tool detects the possibility of a data breach, the policy of response of the organization must be followed. This generally entails investigating what happened, followed by stopping the breach, assessing how much damage has been done, and making efforts to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Informed communication of the right people and satisfaction of legal requirements depend on this as well.
