Data Loss Prevention Use Cases
04.11.2022
Back to blog listData Loss Prevention Use Cases
In modern world data is the most valuable asset. PCs and other hardware itself is usually much cheaper than the data processed and kept on them. The data drives many businesses, it is the basic values of any organization. At the same time, data may turn into a real threat in case it is illicitly obtained and misused by intruders. That is why nowadays it is so important to make everything possible to prevent data losses.
This article will help you to learn how to avoid losing data.
Why data loss incidents occur
First of all, let’s identify the most probable causes of data leaks.
Before we will discuss, what one can do to mitigate the risk of data loss, it is required to find out the most likely prerequisites for their occurrence. 
Reason No.1 Human Error
The most common prerequisite for data loss incidents is human error. It is quite typical for humans to do mistakes. This list of potentially destructive actions which employees may conduct includes but is not limited to:
- Format of hard drives
- Accidental delete of important data because of being in a hurry, spilling a drink etc.
No one should forget that there is a number of other option, not connected with physical destructions and hardware issues. For instance:
- Employees can accidentally send some data to irrelevant recipient.
- Malicious insiders, who act deliberately pose even more serious threat and their actions result into even more significant financial and reputational losses.
Besides, there is always a chance that an employee may lose a device or some intruders may steal it.
Reason No2. Malware
Another extremely widespread reason behind the data related incidents is connected with viruses which affect devices. Their spreading in the corporate infrastructure or such malicious software operating even on a single device quite often leads to the loss of business information and disrupts key business processes. Some data or sometimes even large troves of data are stolen and encrypted with the help of ransomware. Usually, such attacks turn out to be a success because of insufficient vigilance and users’ mistakes (such as following suspicious links or downloading files from unverified sources).
Reason No3. Technical issues
The loss of valuable data quite often turn out to be caused by a malfunction of the device on which it is stored. For instance, in case hard drives and SSDs are not handled properly, the data kept on them can be lost. Such technical issues on the one hand may turn out to originate from a user’s direct action, like liquid spilling or by external factors such as power surge.
There is a common advice which we recommend to follow too – do not forget to make regular backups of crucial data.
Important tips for incidents prevention
Tip No.1 How to mitigate the technical risks
As it was mentioned earlier, one of relatively widespread problem is power surge. The possible solution may be to use an uninterruptible power supply. Usage of such a device may seem a bit excessive measure if there are typically no sudden shuts in energy supply; it is all up to chance, so such a device usage seems to be an adequate measure. No one should forget about the necessity of PCs cleaning (including cleaning from dust) and keeping them dry. What’s more, try to assess the possible risks to your organization and respond them adequately.
Tip No.2 Train employees in information security related issues
It is of crucial importance to motivate staff members to keep up-to-date and be aware of actual threats. On the one hand, theoretical aspects are important. Notify employees about existing threats, reveal, which techniques are usually implemented for conduction of attacks. As the number of methods for conducting cyber attacks grows regularly and they become more and more sophisticated, it is one of the prior task for executives to make sure that appropriate measures aimed at increasing of employees’ awareness are taken. A good idea may be to use a ready-made educational course or develop your own one. Practical seminars are also very important. From time-to-time attacks (for instance, phishing ones) should be simulate as well. However, they should not be conducted too often, because employees will get used to them and will not react naturally.
Tip No. 3. Implement protective software
Another crucial task is to implement advanced protective software. It includes numerous components, for instance, firewalls and antiviruses. But the external threats are not the only ones which threaten organizations globally. In many relations, internal threats are even more dangerous. If you want to protect against data leaks it is crucial to ensure efficient protection against internal risks as well. A few solutions are very useful to deal with this task.
Nowadays, more and more attention is paid to the DCAP class solutions (data-centric audit and protection). SearchInform provides clients with the FileAuditor, a DCAP-class tool for automated file system audit, search for access violations and monitoring changes in critical data. The system protects confidential documents from careless and deliberate malicious actions of employees and puts things in order in file storages.
The mechanism of monitoring the security of critical data is based on the following operations:
- Classification of vulnerable data
- Access rights audit
- Critical documents archiving
- Monitoring and blocking user actions.
You may request the FileAuditor free trial here.
At the next stage, the assistance of the DLP system is required. SearchInform provides clients with the solution which protects a company from confidential information leakage, controls data at rest and data in transit. It monitors all popular data transfer channels, analyzes information, detects and prevents violations, provides reports to a person in charge.
Compliance with all the tips mentioned will enhance the organization’s protection and help to mitigate risks.
