Here's How DLP Strategies Can Protect Your Company Against Cyberattacks
The Art Of Data Loss Prevention
In a nutshell, Data Loss Prevention is the practice of identifying and preventing data breaches, data destruction, or exfiltration from taking place within the company. Most organizations impose strict DLP systems to protect their data and comply with government-mandated regulations. DLP strategies ultimately aim to protect your company from ransomware attacks and data breaches. And with this, they blackmail companies for money in return for the stolen information.
Businesses and organizations primarily utilize robust DLP strategies to:
Achieve data visibility within large organizations
Secure intellectual property that’s highly crucial for the entire company
Safeguard Personally Identifiable Information while complying with necessary regulations
Keep data stored on remote cloud systems safe
Protect mobile workforce
Enforce security in bring-you-own-device workplaces
What Cause Data Leaks?
When it comes to managing your business, it’s essential to know the critical aspects that could lead to a negative result. As such, here are three of the most common reasons behind data leaks:
Malicious Insider
A malicious insider is an employee who has abused their free access to the company’s confidential information. They are considered data attackers who attempt or succeed in moving data outside the company’s reach.
Extrusion by Attackers
Hacktivists attack to access sensitive data to leach money off the organization most of the time. They often penetrate a group’s cybersecurity perimeter using hacking methods such as phishing or injecting malware or code.
User/Employee Negligence
Data leaks may also happen due to a user or employee’s unintentional negligence. For example, they might have accidentally connected their laptop or mobile device to an unsecured network or unintentionally lost their device, and the data falls into the hands of the wrong individuals.
Benefits of Implementing DLP Strategies:
Did you know that data loss prevention strategies are highly beneficial to organizations? Here are some of the key benefits that it brings:
Better Brand Reputation
As a rule of thumb, DLP strategies aid in reducing a company’s cyber risk, ultimately boosting your brand reputation. Both your customers and direct clients will put more trust in your brand.
Moreover, prospective partners will view your company as a credible organization worth investing in. So in a way, DLP strategies can also boost your company’s future contract opportunities.
Reasonable and Accurate Insurance Rates
Of course, insurance companies will provide a reasonable quote if they can see that you’re doing your part in protecting your company’s data. In addition, by practicing DLP strategies regularly, insurance companies will consider your company less susceptible to cyberattacks.
Real-Time Data Monitoring
DLP systems typically monitor data in real-time. As a result, you’ll be notified in real-time regarding any suspicious activity within your company. And because of this speedy response time, businesses like yours can act fast when it comes to preventing or stopping cyberattacks.
Comprehensive Protection Against Hacktivists
It’s not a surprise that hackers utilize a multifaceted approach when attacking databases, so investing in comprehensive data security protection would be an excellent safeguard against data breaches. So having long-term data security would keep your company safer for a long time.
DLP Strategies To Prevent Cyberattacks
Have A Secure And Reinforced Hardware
Nowadays, it’s of utmost importance to allocate undivided attention to acquiring the latest cybersecurity software for your company’s data collection. However, organizations often overlook upgrading their company hardware, which lessens the new technology’s ability to protect sensitive information.
So before anything else, it would be best to jumpstart your DLP journey by reinforcing your hardware. Some of the fundamental practices to follow are:
Utilizing a strong, unique, and complicated password
Only share the complex password only with the device user
Memorize the password by heart; don’t write it on your device’s notes app
Another practice to incorporate into your cybersecurity routine is installing a “find my device” tool on all laptops, tablets, and mobile phones used for work. It will be a huge help when looking for a stolen device, helping the authorities locate your items.
Encrypt And Back Up All Available Data
A surefire method to protect your data consists of two crucial steps: preventing attackers from physically accessing data and rendering the information useless if ever it falls into the hands of hacktivists. And a highly effective way to achieve the latter is by encrypting all available data.
Most experts believe that data encryption is still considered the most effective solution to fight data breaches. So make sure to encrypt your company’s sensitive data and include all customer information, employee details, and business data.
Note that full-disk encryption software is typically included in all operating systems today. This means that you can encrypt your data even when your device is resting.
Another thing to consider is backing up all available data. This will ensure that you have backup copies for incidents such as unintentional deletion or data breaches.
Don’t Shy Away From Cybersecurity Insurance
2021 was a challenging year for most companies because of a sudden rise in cyberattacks. Huge organizations like Colonial Pipeline, JBS, and IKEA are only some of the ransomware victims that suffered significant losses in 2021. So in this day and age, getting cybersecurity insurance is almost as common as getting health insurance.
Remember: cybercriminals continue to work hard and find advanced methods to hack. As a result, it’s only natural for businesses to enhance their data protection.
The Takeaway
Implementing a concise set of DLP strategies would protect your company, your customers, and clients from having their sensitive data stolen. So it doesn’t matter whether you’re a startup company or a seasoned business — having a safe and secure data set should be a priority. From now on, implement a structured data loss prevention system to prevent any cyberattacks from online criminals.
