Data Loss Prevention (DLP) & Data at Rest Encryption

In the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats and data breaches, organizations must prioritize the protection of sensitive information. Implementing a multi-layered security approach is essential to defend against both internal and external threats. Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions and Data at Rest Encryption are two critical components of this strategy. Although each technology offers significant protection independently, true power lies in their integration. By combining DLP and Data at Rest Encryption, organizations can establish a comprehensive defense against a wide array of security risks. This article explores the synergy between these two technologies and demonstrates how their integration can bolster data security across any enterprise.

What is Data Loss Prevention (DLP)?

Data Loss Prevention, also known as DLP, is a data security strategy which aims to ensure that sensitive data is not misused, lost, or accessed by unauthorized users. It protects data in all three states: data at rest, in motion and in use.

How do DLP Solutions work?

To prevent the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) relies on a combination of people, procedures, and technology. DLP solutions may leverage antivirus software, AI, and machine learning to spot suspicious activity and assess it against your organization’s DLP policies.

Types of DLP Solutions

Network DLP

Network DLP solutions focus on how data moves through, into, and out of a network. Often these solutions utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning to detect inconsistent traffic flows that might signal a data leak or loss.

Endpoint DLP

Endpoint DLP solutions monitor activity on laptops, servers, mobile phones, and other devices that are accessing the network. This solution is installed directly onto the equipment and can stop users from performing prohibited actions on the device. Certain endpoint DLP utilities are capable of obstructing unauthorized data transfers between systems.

Cloud DLP

Cloud DLP solutions are focused on data that is stored and accessed by cloud services. This solution can scan, classify, monitor and encrypt data in cloud repositories and the tools can even help enforce access control policies on individual end users.

Benefits of Implementing DLP

Monitoring and Controlling Data

Understanding what data you have and how it is used across your organization makes it easier to identify unauthorized access to data. Classification refers to the process of defining rules to recognize sensitive information and uphold a data security strategy that complies with regulations.

In order to fend off potential risks, it’s crucial to determine who has permission to view critical datasets, and to monitor the activities of users who have been granted access. In addition, security permissions should be updated when someone leaves the organization to prevent them from retaining access to data.

Detect and Block Suspicious Activity

DLP solutions offer customizable scanning of network data and can block data exfiltration via methods such as email or USB drives. They provide visibility into sensitive data within your organization to identify potential unauthorized sharing.

Maintain Regulatory Compliance

Companies must adhere to data protection standards, laws, and regulations like HIPAA, SOX Act, FISMA and more. A DLP solution gives you the capabilities you’ll need to complete compliance audits. This may even include data-retention planning and training programs for your staff.

Data at Rest Encryption

Data at rest encryption refers to the process of encoding data stored in any digital form—whether on hard drives, servers, or other storage devices—so that it becomes unreadable to unauthorized users. Unlike data in transit, which is actively moving between devices or networks, data at rest resides in storage, making it a prime target for malicious actors. Encrypting this data ensures that even if a breach occurs, the information remains secure and inaccessible without the correct decryption key. To learn more about data at rest check out our article about Data at Rest Myths, Reality and Best Practices.

Encryption Methods. There are various methods for encrypting data at rest, including file-level encryption, disk-level encryption, and database encryption. Each method has its unique strengths and use cases, allowing organizations to tailor their encryption strategies based on their specific needs. File-level encryption, for instance, secures individual files, making it ideal for protecting sensitive documents, while disk-level encryption encrypts entire drives, offering comprehensive protection for all data stored on a particular device.

Advantages of Encrypting Data at Rest. The primary advantage of encrypting data at rest is the assurance that sensitive information remains inaccessible to unauthorized users, even if they gain physical or digital access to the storage medium. Encryption also plays a crucial role in helping organizations comply with various regulatory requirements, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS, which mandate the protection of sensitive data. Additionally, encrypted data can act as a safeguard against potential legal liabilities, as it demonstrates an organization’s commitment to maintaining data security.

Where NetLib Security Comes In. When it comes to implementing data at rest encryption, NetLib Security offers its powerful and efficient Encryptionizer solution. NetLib Security’s advanced encryption technology is designed to seamlessly integrate with existing systems, providing robust protection without compromising performance or ease of use. With NetLib Security, organizations can ensure that their data is encrypted with the highest standards of security, safeguarding against unauthorized access and enhancing their overall data protection strategy. Whether you’re looking to protect sensitive customer information, proprietary data, or compliance-related records, NetLib Security delivers a reliable and scalable encryption solution tailored to your needs.

Synergy Between DLP and Data at Rest Encryption

Organizations face a myriad of data security challenges, from insider threats to external cyberattacks. While Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions and data at rest encryption each provide substantial protection on their own, their combined integration creates a fortified defense strategy that addresses multiple vulnerabilities. Integrating these two technologies is not just a matter of enhancing security—it’s about creating a comprehensive and cohesive data protection framework that ensures data remains secure throughout its entire lifecycle.

While encryption ensures that data is unreadable to unauthorized users, DLP for data at rest takes it a step further by offering a more comprehensive security layer. It manages how data is accessed and prevents unauthorized sharing.

Encryption is an essential component of any DLP strategy. For example, DLP solutions can encrypt sensitive and high-risk data at rest, and prevent unauthorized entities from accessing or moving the information. DLP can also integrate with email encryption services to enforce encryption policies based on predefined rules and criteria. This can help prevent accidental disclosure of sensitive data and ensure compliance with internal security policies.

Complementary Features

DLP solutions are designed to monitor, detect, and prevent unauthorized data transfers, ensuring that sensitive information does not leave the organization without proper authorization. They work by identifying and blocking potential data breaches at various points, such as endpoints, networks, or cloud environments. However, while DLP excels at preventing data leaks, it may not fully protect data that is stored, or “at rest,” on servers, legacy systems, devices and distributed applications.

This is where data at rest encryption comes into play. Encryption converts sensitive data into an unreadable format that can only be decrypted by authorized users with the appropriate keys. By encrypting data at rest, organizations ensure that even if data is accessed without authorization, it remains unusable to malicious actors.

When DLP is integrated with data at rest encryption, the result is a comprehensive security solution that protects data both in transit and at rest. While DLP safeguards data from leaving the organization without permission, encryption ensures that even if data is compromised, it remains inaccessible to unauthorized users. Together, these technologies create a multi-layered defense that significantly reduces the risk of data breaches.

Addressing Common Threats

One of the most significant advantages of integrating DLP with data at rest encryption is the ability to address both insider and external threats effectively. Insider threats, whether malicious or accidental, are among the most challenging security issues to manage, with 76% of organizations reporting them in 2024. Employees or contractors with legitimate access to sensitive data may unintentionally or deliberately expose it to unauthorized parties. DLP monitors and restricts such activities, while encryption ensures that any data mishandled or stolen remains unreadable.

External threats, such as cyberattacks or unauthorized access to servers, also pose a significant risk. Cybercriminals often target stored data, knowing that it can be a goldmine of valuable information. By encrypting data at rest, organizations add a crucial layer of security, making it exponentially more difficult for attackers to access usable data even if they manage to breach other defenses.

Like Peanut Butter and Jelly

Each is pretty good alone but even better together. The synergy between DLP and Data at Rest Encryption offers organizations a powerful combination of proactive and reactive security measures. This integration not only prevents data from being exposed but also ensures that any exposed data remains secure and unusable. For enterprises looking to bolster their data protection strategies, the integration of DLP with Data at Rest Encryption is an essential step toward achieving comprehensive security in an increasingly complex threat landscape.

About NetLib Security

NetLib Security has spent the past 20+ years developing a powerful, patented solution that starts by setting up a formidable offense for every environment where your data resides: physical, virtual and cloud. Our platform simplifies the process while ensuring high levels of security.

Simplify your data security needs. Encryptionizer is easy to deploy. It is a cost-effective way to proactively and transparently protect your sensitive data that allows you to quickly and confidently meet your security requirements. With budget considerations in mind, we have designed an affordable data security platform that protects, manages, and defends your data, while responding to the ever changing compliance requirements.

Data breaches are expensive. Security does not have to be.

NetLib Security works with government agencies, healthcare organizations, small to large enterprises, financial services, credit card processors, distributors, and resellers to provide a flexible data security solution that meets their evolving needs. To learn more or request a free evaluation visit us at www.netlibsecurity.com.