Businesses should have a data loss prevention strategy in place. Otherwise they risk allowing sensitive information to fall into the wrong hands, which could result in a loss of revenue for the company. This has been of interest to businesses of all sizes because issues such as the most recent WannaCry ransomware attack, insider threats, security breaches, and even stricter privacy laws, have led businesses to develop stricter protocols for data loss prevention. Here’s a look at the process companies need to follow in order to create a data loss prevention, or DLP, strategy:
Determine the Critical Data
Businesses of all sizes generate and process a large amount of data. Which of this information is actually critical? Before creating a DLP strategy it is important to determine which information is the most important so that the right data can be protected. Data that should be the priority could include customer information, product information and data, and financial information. DLP should begin with the most sensitive data at the company.
Know What the Risks Are
Another key component of a data loss prevention strategy lies in identifying what the specific risks are. It is also important to understand that the risks associated with the data will determine on the types of data. Email, for example, may have different risks than financial information would. Consider the types of data that is the most critical to the company and then pinpoint what the risks are. The risks will have a lot to do with how the data moves through the network and also how it is stored. Data that passes through a BYOD such as a personal computer may have different risks associated to it than data that is resting inside a firewall. Both scenarios will need to be addressed in the DLP strategy.
Train Employees
One of the things that businesses need to understand is that employees often represent the weakest link in any data loss prevention strategy. Whether they realize it or not, employees can do something that results in data loss. Employees need to be trained on the best practices that they need to follow in order to prevent data loss. In this case, most of the data that is lost is accidental. Employees need to understand how data is moved so that they can be more effective. In particular, people need to know how their actions can cause data loss so that they can prevent it from happening and also self adjust if they unknowingly cause loss of data.
When assembling a DLP strategy, it is a good idea to approach it methodically. It is important to pinpoint exactly what the risks are and also determine which types of data are the most sensitive. From there, businesses can identify the best strategy for their needs. For more information on how to compose and implement a DLP strategy, contact Roan Solutions.
