Many security professionals prioritize data loss prevention (DLP). To this end, they’re increasingly relying on DLP software to make their lives easier. DLP software solutions are proactive rather than reactive. These tools provide flexible control over highly sensitive data, monitor and identify potential weak points, and provide a robust defense against even the most damaging data loss and security incidents.
Knowing which DLP tools are suitable for your organization can be challenging when you factor in security standards, remote employees, access rights management, and more. In this post, we’ll provide a comprehensive overview of the top 16 DLP tools designed to protect your organization.
Tool Name | Description | Best For |
Teramind | Behavioral DLP solution with real-time user activity monitoring and AI-driven analytics | Organizations needing comprehensive behavioral analysis and insider threat protection |
Safetica | DLP and insider risk management solution with deep content inspection | Small to medium businesses looking for an all-in-one security solution |
Code42 Incydr | SaaS solution for insider risk detection and threat management | Enterprises facing risks of data exposure and exfiltration by insiders |
Check Point | Security solution designed to prevent data breaches and detect potential data leaks | Organizations looking for a comprehensive security suite |
Trend Micro IDLP | Integrated DLP that simplifies data security by integrating with existing Trend Micro systems | Low-cost buyers seeking quick implementation |
NAKIVO Backup & Replication | Versatile data backup solution for protecting vital data | Organizations needing comprehensive backup and recovery options |
Sophos | Comprehensive cybersecurity suite including DLP features | Businesses seeking a full-stack security solution |
Endpoint Protector | Multi-OS DLP software for enterprise environments | SMBs and enterprises needing cross-platform protection |
Symantec DLP | Modular enterprise data security solution | Large enterprises with complex data protection needs |
Digital Guardian | Cloud-based endpoint DLP with comprehensive monitoring capabilities | Organizations requiring military-grade data protection |
Trellix | Real-time data tracking and detection solution | Businesses needing advanced threat detection and response |
Forcepoint DLP | Enterprise-class DLP with global policy management | Large organizations with diverse data protection requirements |
Proofpoint DLP | Email-focused DLP solution with machine learning capabilities | Companies prioritizing email security and compliance |
Fidelis | Extended Detection and Response (XDR) security platform | Organizations seeking integrated network security and DLP |
Clumio | Cloud-native data protection service | Businesses with cloud-based infrastructure and SaaS environments |
Microsoft Purview DLP | Integrated DLP solution for Microsoft 365 services | Organizations heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem |
DTEX inTERCEPT | Insider risk management and behavioral DLP solution | Companies focusing on user behavior analytics and insider threats |
1. Teramind
Teramind’s DLP solution is designed to secure sensitive data across an organization. It uses advanced technology to monitor, detect, and prevent potential data loss or breaches before they occur.
The solution offers the ability to perform real-time and continuous monitoring of user activities and data interactions. This allows Teramind to identify risky behaviors and unauthorized data access— including the capability to track file transfers, emails, instant messaging, and more.
Teramind’s advantage lies in its integration of behavioral analytics, which helps set up automated rules and triggers that respond to anomalies by taking predefined actions, such as alerting administrators or blocking certain activities.
In addition to active monitoring, Teramind DLP uses machine learning models to automatically classify data based on its sensitivity and apply appropriate security controls. This includes encrypting data, restricting access, and applying several security protocols.
Furthermore, Teramind supports compliance efforts by ensuring that all monitoring and data handling practices align with regulatory requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS. Its comprehensive audit and forensics capabilities provide detailed insights and evidence for investigating incidents, optimizing data protection strategies, and demonstrating compliance during audits.
Key Features of Teramind Behavioral DLP
- Real-Time User Activity Monitoring. Teramind continuously monitors user and employee activity across all platforms, capturing every keystroke, application usage, and website visit. This enables immediate detection and response to unauthorized or risky behavior.
- UEBA (User and Entity Behavior Analytics). By leveraging UEBA, Teramind identifies abnormal behavior patterns using AI-driven analytics. This helps in preemptively recognizing potential threats from both insiders and compromised accounts.
- Remote Desktop Control. Administrators can remotely access and control desktops within the network, facilitating immediate remedial actions if suspicious activities are detected.
- Sensitive Data Classification. Teramind’s DLP system can automatically identify and classify sensitive information stored across an organization’s digital environments. This ensures that security protocols are applied to data that needs protection, such as personal identification information (PII), financial details, or intellectual property.
- Audit & Forensics. The platform maintains detailed logs and records of all user activity, creating a comprehensive audit trail essential for forensic analysis and compliance reporting.
- OCR (Optical Character Recognition). Teramind’s OCR capability allows the system to recognize text within images and scanned documents. This enables the DLP system to monitor and protect sensitive information even when contained in non-textual formats, enhancing security measures against data leakage through graphics or printed materials.
Why Choose Teramind’s Data Loss Prevention Solution?
Top-Rated Behavioral DLP Solution
Teramind is well-equipped to detect and mitigate risks such as vulnerabilities, potential information leaks, and unauthorized access attempts. It uses this to provide comprehensive visibility into user behavior, enabling companies to understand how data is being used and by whom.
Rich Set of Features for Comprehensive Oversight
Teramind offers a wide range of features that completely oversee data and user activities. It includes detailed logging of user actions, real-time alerts, and automated risk detection, ensuring that data usage is monitored closely.
Additionally, Teramind can track and protect data across various platforms and devices using features like real-time alerts, risk analysis, and automatic policy enforcement. These tools help prevent data breaches by monitoring sensitive data in transit, at rest — or in use.
User-Friendly Interface for Streamlined Operations
Despite its complex and powerful backend, Teramind’s user interface is designed for simplicity and ease of use. It provides a clean, intuitive dashboard that displays key metrics and alerts in an accessible format, allowing non-technical users to navigate its features efficiently. This user-friendliness extends to its setup process, which is streamlined to ensure that organizations can get their DLP system up and running quickly without extensive downtime.
Enhanced Capabilities Through Integrations
Teramind enhances its core offerings through extensive integrations with popular enterprise tools and platforms, including major cloud storage services and productivity suites. These integrations allow for seamless data flow, expanding the reach of Teramind’s DLP solution.
Compliance and Privacy at Its Core
Central to Teramind’s DLP solution is its focus on helping organizations meet compliance requirements and uphold data privacy standards. The software is built to align with global regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS. It includes automated compliance templates that simplify legal and regulatory standards enforcement, reducing the risk of non-compliance penalties.
Additionally, the system ensures that data handling follows privacy best practices, securing sensitive information against unauthorized access.
What Are Customers Saying About Teramind?
- Excellent product with a wide range of use cases.
- No limits on what you can track!
- The ultimate solution for remote team management
- Excellent for a remote working setup.
2. Safetica
Safetica (via the ‘Safetica ONE’ solution) uses deep content inspection to analyze data moving within and outside the organization. This involves scanning file content beyond just the metadata to identify sensitive information such as personal identification numbers, credit card details, or proprietary data and to find out where your data is at risk of loss or theft.
Its ‘context analysis’ feature further enhances this by understanding the circumstances under which data is handled. For example, it looks at user behavior patterns, data access times, and the devices used.
Key Features
- Network Traffic Control. Safetica uses protocol analysis to monitor data moving through standard channels such as email, cloud services, and instant messaging.
- Management Console. Enables easy configuration of DLP policies, data categories, or reports.
- Workflow Control. This feature enforces specific secure processes, blocking all other ways of performing an action.
Drawbacks
- Poor Initial Setup & Support. The setup process lacks a thorough introduction to the DLP tool’s features and benefits, leaving users without a clear understanding of the options available.
- For example, the free “Proof of Concept” demo deletes all settings once it ends, requiring users to start from scratch when setting up their policies [*].
- Incompatibility and Support Issues with MacOS Deployment. Safetica, when deployed as a DLP solution for MacOS, did not support the versions used, contrary to the assurances given by the account manager. The deployment process exceeded 50 hours of work without achieving the deadline or satisfactory configuration of endpoints, indicating a lack of testing and support for MacOS users [*].
- Policy Application Issues. The software does not effectively apply the same security policies to similar files that are open simultaneously, indicating a need for significant improvements in its functionality [*].
3. Code42 Incydr
Code42 Incydr is a SaaS solution designed to address the complexities of data leak protection, particularly for enterprises facing risks of data exposure and exfiltration by insiders, whether intentional or accidental.
The solution leverages API and endpoint agents to monitor file activity file movements in real-time and logs detailed metadata, including the file path, user, and activity timestamp.
This includes uploaded files to cloud storage, sent via email, or copied to external drives. Using its ‘Trust’ methodology (inferred and defined), Incydr can differentiate between normal and suspicious user behaviors by establishing baseline activity patterns for each user and using these to detect anomalies that could indicate data theft or leakage.
Key Features
- Priority File Watchlists. Incydr allows organizations to create customized watchlists for their most sensitive files to ensure that any unauthorized access or movement of these files is immediately identified and escalated.
- Risk Indicators for Insider Threats. The platform employs a set of risk indicators specifically designed to identify behaviors that represent a high risk of data loss or theft, such as off-hours file activity and unusual file movement patterns.
- Exfiltration Detector. Incydr monitors corporate cloud and email systems to identify unauthorized file exposure and sharing. It integrates with systems like Gmail and Office365 for email, Salesforce for business applications, and Google Drive, OneDrive, and Box for cloud storage and sharing.
Drawbacks
- Time-Consuming Initial Setup and Backup. The system’s initial setup is overly time-consuming, and the first backup process also requires a significant amount of time, delaying operational readiness [*].
- Complex Configuration Process. The platform is challenging to learn, with complexities in configuring and fine-tuning the settings to meet specific organizational needs [*].
- Issue with False Positives. Users complained that the system generated multiple false positives, leading to unwarranted investigations and unnecessary additional effort [*].
Related → The 10 Best Code42 Incydr Alternatives for Data Loss Prevention.
4. Check Point
Check Point DLP is a security solution designed to prevent data breaches, detect potential data leaks, and manage data security across an organization. This solution is part of Check Point’s broader security offerings and is specifically engineered to protect sensitive data from internal and external threats.
Check Point DLP employs content-aware detection technologies to monitor and inspect data at rest, in use, and in motion. It analyzes content based on predefined criteria such as keywords, patterns (like credit card numbers or social security numbers), and data fingerprints. This approach allows the system to identify sensitive data across various platforms and communication channels accurately.
Key Features
- MultiSpect. Delivers high accuracy in identifying and preventing security incidents by correlating multiple parameters with Compound Data Types and customizable Data Types using CPcode.
- CPcode. Supports fully customized data identification with CPcode, allowing for flexible data matching in the DLP system
- UserCheck. Provides quick incident response with automated user notifications and a unique “Ask User” mode. This system educates employees on best practices to prevent unintended data leaks.
Drawbacks
- Complex Configuration. The system’s configuration and management are complex, potentially complicating its use and integration into existing workflows [*].
- Limited Environmental Coverage. The system operates only at the network layer and is not compatible with other critical environments, like databases. Furthermore, it does not offer integration options with third-party applications, limiting its functionality and adaptability [*].
- Performance Issues. Activating the system’s security features significantly increases server load, leading to performance slowdowns [*].
5. Trend Micro IDLP
Trend Micro Integrated DLP simplifies data security by integrating DLP features directly into your existing Trend Micro systems and management consoles. Using a lightweight plug-in, you gain immediate visibility and control over your sensitive data, helping to prevent data loss through USB, email, and web channels.
This plug-in doesn’t require additional hardware or software and uses built-in templates tailored to specific regions and industries to ease setup. Integrated DLP offers an affordable and quick alternative to traditional, complex enterprise DLP solutions.
Key Features
- Control Manager. Offers a centralized security management console that simplifies managing policies, events, and reports across various iDLP solutions.
- Integrated DLP on Endpoints. This feature enhances data protection and control by allowing granular device control and automatic responses to policy violations, including blocking and alerting. It supports compliance through out-of-the-box templates and aids in forensic data capture and real-time reporting.
- Integrated DLP on Network Gateways. Provides continuous network inspection and monitoring, helping document and control sensitive data flow through network egress points. It also features built-in compliance templates to aid in audits and compliance enforcement.
These features are integrated into Trend Micro’s existing solutions, allowing for a more streamlined setup and lower operational costs than traditional DLP solutions. They are designed to safeguard sensitive data across various platforms — from endpoints to cloud environments — without significant performance impacts or the need for additional hardware.
Drawbacks
- Costly Licensing Structure. The pricing structure is considered high due to the credit licensing scheme [*].
- Slow Policy Deployment. Deploying policies to endpoints can take 10-15 minutes, which hinders timely security management and response within the network [*].
- High Resource Consumption on Database Servers. The product consumes substantial resources on database servers, which impairs performance [*].
6. NAKIVO Backup & Replication
NAKIVO Backup & Replication is a versatile and reliable data backup solution that protects your organization’s vital data. With its comprehensive features, NAKIVO ensures that your data is securely backed up and recoverable, reducing downtime and data loss.
If you need to back up Proxmox, VMware, Hyper-V, Nutanix AHV, AWS, or Microsoft Office 365, NAKIVO provides automated backup workflows and ensures robust recovery options for safeguarding critical data. The solution supports incremental backups, capturing only the changed blocks of data, thus optimizing storage consumption and shortening backup windows.
Key Features
- Automated Backup & Recovery: Automated scheduling and recovery processes ensure minimal manual intervention, allowing for regular, consistent backups and rapid recovery of lost data.
- Multiplatform Support: NAKIVO supports a wide range of environments, including VMware, Hyper-V, AWS, and Proxmox, ensuring comprehensive protection across your entire infrastructure.
- Instant VM Recovery: This feature enables quick restoration of VMs directly from backups, significantly reducing downtime in disaster recovery scenarios.
- Ransomware Protection: NAKIVO offers features like immutable backups and malware scans that can protect your data against malicious attacks.
Drawbacks
- Initial Setup Complexity: The initial setup and configuration can be complex, particularly for users unfamiliar with backup systems or multiple environments. This intricacy may necessitate more time and resources to ensure proper setup and operation.
- Resource Intensive: Running complete backup and replication tasks can be resource-intensive, potentially impacting system performance if not managed properly.
- Limited MacOS Support: NAKIVO’s MacOS support is less robust compared to other platforms, which might pose challenges for organizations with significant MacOS deployments.
Overall, NAKIVO Backup & Replication stands out as a powerful tool for data loss prevention, offering specialized support with a range of advanced features to ensure your data is always protected and recoverable.
7. Sophos
Sophos is a renowned cybersecurity company that provides comprehensive security solutions to protect networks, endpoints, and data across various environments. The company offers various products, including antivirus, encryption, firewall, and email security, serving both enterprise and small-to-medium business markets.
The Data Loss Prevention SDK on Sophos offers a complete OEM solution for quickly adding DLP features. It includes two high-performance engines for accurate file type identification, text content extraction, and searching for sensitive data.
In addition, SophosLabs offers an extensive library of sensitive data definitions, enabling detection of commonly protected data such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII), as well as financial and healthcare records.
Key Features
- Content Control Lists (CCLs). These are Sophos’ tools for specifying what data is considered sensitive and should be protected. CCLs allow for the configuration of DLP rules based on predefined or custom criteria about the type of content that should trigger DLP actions. This includes blocking or alerting on sensitive data like financial information or personal identifiers.
- Intercept X. This feature combines endpoint protection with extended detection and response (XDR), allowing organizations to prevent cyberattacks and identify potential security breaches across networks, servers, and endpoints.
- Cloud Optix. This provides visibility, automated compliance checks, and threat response across multiple cloud environments, helping businesses effectively manage their cloud security posture.
Drawbacks
- Limitations in Offline Installation. Sophos Intercept X Endpoint does not support complete offline installation; it requires internet access for the initial setup [*].
- Lack of Customization. The product does not allow for the dashboards customization, limiting the ability to have a tailored overview of alerts and indicators. Furthermore, the Application Control feature lacks granularity, making it impossible to block some applications while monitoring others [*].
- Issue with False Positive Alerts. Sophos Intercept X may incorrectly flag legitimate activities as potential threats, leading to false positive alerts that could complicate security management and user operations [*].
8. Endpoint Protector
Endpoint Protector by CoSoSys is comprehensive data loss prevention (DLP) software tailored for enterprise environments. It supports platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, Thin Clients, and Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) solutions. This software is engineered to oversee and regulate data transfers across multiple exit points, including USB devices, emails, cloud services, and applications.
A key aspect of Endpoint Protector is its robust content inspection and contextual scanning capabilities. These features enable businesses to detect and block the unauthorized transmission of sensitive information.
Key Features
- eDiscovery. This feature scans data-at-rest, helping organizations to discover, encrypt, and delete sensitive information.
- Multi-OS DLP. Endpoint Protector provides comprehensive data protection across Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints, ensuring consistent data security policies across various operating systems.
- Content-Aware Protection. This feature provides detailed control over sensitive data leaving the company’s network through various exit points, such as USB devices, applications, and online services. It ensures that sensitive data does not leave your network unnoticed by monitoring data movement and controlling exit points.
Drawbacks
- Frequent False Positives and Inaccurate Activity Logs. The system often generates false positives for file sharing from a specific application, even when the user has not logged into the application. There is also a discrepancy between the activities performed and the activities logged, raising concerns about the accuracy of the monitoring tools [*].
- SSL Certificate Issues with Microsoft Edge. There are occasional SSL certificate issues when using Microsoft Edge, causing disruptions to specific websites and services, particularly those requiring advanced security measures [*].
- Lack of Integration with Google Workspace and Ticketing Systems. The product does not integrate well with Google Workspace or ticketing systems. Requests for temporary permissions lead users to their default email applications instead of Google Workspace, complicating communication and workflow processes [*].
9. Symantec DLP
Symantec DLP by Broadcom is an enterprise data security solution designed to discover, monitor, and protect sensitive data across multiple channels and platforms, including cloud applications, mobile devices, and network environments.
Symantec DLP’s core functionality is based on its ability to accurately detect sensitive information using various detection technologies, such as digital fingerprinting, machine learning classifiers, and pattern matching.
The system’s architecture is based on a central management server, the ‘Enforce Platform,’ which provides a unified console for policy management, incident reporting, and system configuration. The Enforce Platform integrates with several detection servers that perform data scanning and policy enforcement tasks. These include Network Monitor servers that analyze network traffic, Endpoint Prevent servers that monitor and control data transfer on physical devices, and Discover servers that scan storage and databases for at-risk data.
Key Features
- Cloud Prevent. Designed to secure data that moves to and from cloud applications, this feature integrates with corporate cloud services to ensure data loss prevention policies are extended to cloud-based storage and applications, providing consistent data protection regardless of where the data resides.
- Data Insight. Provides visibility into data ownership, usage, and access patterns, especially for unstructured data. This feature helps organizations understand how information is being used and by whom, which is critical for securing sensitive data and complying with privacy regulations.
- Information Centric Encryption (ICE). Automatically encrypts sensitive data based on content, context, and user access levels. This encryption adapts as data moves through different environments, maintaining security without hindering accessibility for authorized users.
Drawbacks
- Configuration and Usability Issues. Symantec DLP features a complex configuration and management process coupled with usability challenges in the user interface [*].
- Limited Database Support. The central management console supports only one database manufacturer and lacks a reclaim space script for the database Standard Edition [*].
- High Complexity and Cost of Solution. The solution’s complexity can make it challenging to manage. Moreover, the annual costs may become unsustainable due to the high compute resources required, which could financially burden some organizations [*].
10. Digital Guardian Endpoint DLP
Digital Guardian DLP offers comprehensive tools for preventing data breaches at your organization’s most vulnerable point — the endpoint.
The specialized endpoint agent continuously monitors and logs all actions related to system, user, and data events, whether the devices are on the network or operating remotely. This agent can automatically intercept and prevent potentially harmful activities by insiders or block external threats, including malware and sophisticated non-malware attacks, thus safeguarding sensitive information.
The DLP system also enables automated actions such as logging, blocking, demanding justifications, or encrypting sensitive data involved in various processes like emailing, uploading to cloud storage, or transferring to external drives.
In addition, it allows you to specify which files can be transferred to external media, how much data can be moved within specific time frames (for example, MB per day), and even restricts data transfers based on the device’s brand, model, or serial number. Additionally, you can set encryption standards and access permissions for external devices to further enhance security.
Key Features
- Management Console. A web-based tool that allows for creating, editing, and managing DLP policies and settings, making it easier to monitor security events that require intervention and manage policy enforcement across multiple locations.
- Cross-Platform Coverage. This feature ensures data protection across different operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux, accommodating the diverse ecosystems that modern organizations operate within.
- Analytics and Reporting Cloud (ARC). Utilizes endpoint agents and network appliances to collect and analyze data about system, user, and network events. This helps detect and respond to threats and enhance data encryption, policy enforcement, and user authentication.
Drawbacks
- Resource-Intensive. The software can be resource-intensive, potentially affecting performance, especially on older or less powerful systems [*].
- Scalability Limitations. The Digital Guardian Management Console (DGMC) cannot scale up vertically, with agent connectivity support capped at 100,000, which could be restrictive for larger enterprises [*].
- Difficulties in Generating Custom Reports. Creating custom reports is a complex process requiring a deep understanding of the system’s functionalities. The non-intuitive user interface further complicates generating specific reports, making it difficult for users [*].
11. Trellix DLP
Trellix DLP scans and classifies data across all locations, employing over 300 content types. Its classification techniques include automatic fingerprinting, exact data matching, integration with external classification tools, and manual tagging.
After identifying sensitive information, Trellix DLP enables the creation of protective policies and rules. It also offers encryption for sensitive data stored on devices like laptops or in cloud environments, ensuring that the compromised data remains inaccessible even if a data breach occurs.
Once policies are in place, Trellix DLP continuously monitors all available resources, scanning for and promptly reporting any policy infringements. This comprehensive monitoring covers data at rest, in use, and in transit throughout your network, ensuring real-time tracking and reporting.
Key Features
- Instant End User Coaching and Notifications. Trellix provides immediate feedback and customized notifications for users attempting to violate data-sharing policies, integrating coaching directly into the user experience to prevent data exfiltration.
- Deploy Policies Across Top Threat Vectors. The system offers flexibility with predefined rules or customizable parameters to protect sensitive data from the keyboard to the cloud, enhancing the ability to effectively manage and secure critical information.
- Trellix Device Control. This component prevents unauthorized device installations and manages content-based monitoring, filtering, and blocking as a stand-alone feature or included within Trellix DLP Endpoint Complete.
Drawbacks
- Integration and Performance Issues with EPO Agent. The EPO agent and the antivirus product client must be integrated to simplify management, as they require separate installations. Additionally, the on-demand scan feature is overly demanding on server-class endpoints, using up to 100% of CPU resources unless specifically fine-tuned, which can affect system performance [*].
- Communication Issues with Support Agents. Support services are often provided from non-US locations. While the support team is knowledgeable, communication gaps occasionally occur, affecting the efficiency of issue resolution [*].
- Challenges with Cloud Native Workloads and Lack of EOL OS Support. There are notable limitations in handling cloud-native workloads effectively. Also, there is no option for antivirus support on end-of-life (EOL) operating systems, which restricts protection for older systems still in use [*].
12. Forcepoint DLP
Forcepoint DLP offers a robust set of tools to manage global policies effectively across all critical channels, including endpoints, networks, clouds, websites, private applications, and email. It simplifies your operations with an extensive predefined templates, policies, and classifiers library.
The solution also facilitates compliance initiatives with over 1700 predefined classifiers, policies, and templates, speeding up the initial setup of DLP systems and easing their ongoing management.
Additionally, Forcepoint DLP includes an Incident Risk Ranking (IRR) feature, which integrates various DLP indicators within a Bayesian belief network framework. This system evaluates potential data risk scenarios, such as data theft or process disruptions, helping you understand and mitigate risks more effectively.
Key Features
- DLP for Cloud Applications (Forcepoint ONE DLP). A cloud-native platform that extends DLP policies to SaaS applications, ensuring data security across all cloud environments. It provides agentless data protection, allowing secure access from any device and enabling consistent data security policies across various platforms.
- Centralized Management Console. This console provides a single interface for managing DLP policies and monitoring incidents, allowing unified policy enforcement across the web, cloud, email, network, and endpoints. This console simplifies the management and deployment of data security measures, facilitating out-of-the-box compliance with numerous global regulations.
- Risk-Adaptive Protection. This feature uses behavioral analytics to assess risk and adjust security policies dynamically. It enables proactive data protection by analyzing user behavior and adjusting controls based on the level of risk they represent, enhancing the system’s ability to prevent data loss without user friction.
Drawbacks
- Inadequate Support. The tool’s support is very poor, with significant manual intervention required to clear older logs from the management server. This can prevent new incidents from being reported on the dashboard [*].
- Inadequacies in Data Identification and CASB Solution. The tool fails to meet expectations, particularly its inability to identify critical data origins across multiple SQL servers, rendering it ineffective unless used with a single SQL instance. The Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) solution also lacks essential features for enterprise use, and while customizations are possible, they are costly to implement [*].
- Challenges with Over-Blocking and False Positives. If the system is not finely tuned, the number of data blocks and quarantines can become overwhelming, leading to operational inefficiencies. There are also occasional false positives, primarily due to the reliance on regular expressions for data matching [*].
13. Proofpoint DLP
Proofpoint DLP is designed to secure sensitive data transmitted via email and other organizational communication channels. The solution operates through a comprehensive policy management system that enables fine-tuning data protection strategies based on specific organizational needs.
It employs deep content inspection, contextual analysis, and machine learning to accurately detect sensitive data across various platforms, including email, cloud services, and large file transfers.
This detection capability is enhanced by Proofpoint’s Targeted Attack Protection (TAP), which provides adaptive controls to respond dynamically to emerging threats and sophisticated attacks aimed at sensitive data.
Key Features
- Smart Identifier Scan. This feature enhances data protection by identifying sensitive information through sophisticated scans recognizing data types like banking and personal information.
- Email DLP. This tool prevents sensitive data leakage via email. It uses built-in policies and deep content analysis to monitor and control data flow, ensuring compliance and preventing breaches.
- Exact Data Matching. Proofpoint employs this capability to pinpoint data unique to an organization, such as account numbers or personal identifiers, ensuring precise and relevant data protection measures.
Drawbacks
- Sync Delays in Policy and Alert Updates. Whether using cloud-based or on-premises setups, updating policies and alerts can cause delays due to synchronization requirements across cloud services or web connections. This can be particularly frustrating when attempting to implement multiple changes simultaneously [*].
- Limited DLP Template Customization. The inability to create custom DLP templates within the product limits flexibility and forces users to rely on professional services for template customization, which may incur additional costs and delays [*].
- Constant Issues with the ‘Report Phish’ Button in Outlook. The ‘Report Phish’ button occasionally causes disruptions in Outlook, complicating its use and making troubleshooting difficult. This issue can impact user productivity and overall experience with the software [*].
Related → The 8 Best Proofpoint Alternatives.
14. Fidelis
Fidelis Network offers a proactive Network Detection and Response (NDR) solution that delivers comprehensive visibility, threat detection, and rapid response capabilities to counter cyber threats. It can operate independently or as an integral component of the Fidelis Elevate platform, an extensive and interactive XDR system. This integration allows Fidelis Network to fit seamlessly into almost any security framework.
Fidelis Network also comes with features such as sandboxing, network forensics, Data Loss Prevention (DLP), threat intelligence, and automated security protocols, all within a single unified platform. It provides users with alerts, contextual data, and evidence, which accelerate the threat investigation process, enable more thorough analyses, and help minimize alert fatigue.
Key Features
- Deep Session Inspection. This technology allows for detailed network traffic inspection, identifying and stopping data leaks by examining sessions deeply to understand the context and content of data transmissions.
- Metadata Extraction. Fidelis Network analyzes traffic and extracts over 300 metadata attributes, providing granular visibility into data movements and communications across the network.
- Automated Decoy and Breadcrumb Deployment. It uses deception technology by deploying decoys and breadcrumbs to detect and mitigate threats automatically.
Drawbacks
- Complexity in Configuration and Maintenance. Setting up and maintaining Fidelis Network DLP can be complex, requiring a detailed understanding of the software and the network architecture. Misconfigurations can lead to over-blocking legitimate traffic or under-blocking, which might allow sensitive data to leak.
- Performance Impact. The solution can often introduce latency into network traffic due to the deep packet inspection and real-time analysis required to detect sensitive data flows. This might impact network performance, especially in high-throughput environments.
15. Clumio
Clumio is a cloud-native data protection service providing secure backup and recovery across private, public, and SaaS environments. It utilizes a uniform data protection policy administered through a single control plane, which simplifies data management across diverse environments and reduces the complexity typically associated with traditional data protection solutions.
Clumio’s architecture supports a range of deployment scenarios, including direct integration with enterprise data sources like AWS, VMware, and Microsoft 365. This integration enables seamless data protection operations that are efficient and minimally disruptive to normal business processes.
Key Features
- SecureVault. A specialized backup tier is designed to enhance security and compliance, mainly through features like ‘Bring Your Own Key’ (BYOK) for encryption, which adds layer of protection for sensitive data.
- Autonomous Backups. Clumio automates the backup process by engaging with data sources at an event level. This allows for granular control over what is backed up and how frequently, simplifying data management across various workloads.
- Simple Restores. The platform supports continuous backups that facilitate precise point-in-time data recovery. Restores can be executed from a user-friendly or programmatic interface, particularly useful for retrieving specific records without restoring complete instances.
Drawbacks
- Language Barriers with Technical Support. While the technical support team is highly effective in resolving issues, it often has heavy accents, which can make phone communications challenging. Most interactions tend to be more effective via email [*].
- Limitations in Direct File Restoration. Files cannot be restored directly to the production virtual machine (VM); instead, they must be downloaded from the Clumio portal, adding extra steps and potential delays in the restoration process [*].
- Inconsistencies and Refresh Issues in vCenter Integration and Web UI. The integration with vCenter and the web user interface (UI) display inconsistencies, such as variable visibility of vCenters and non-dynamic content on some pages, requiring full page refreshes to update content [*].
16. Microsoft Purview DLP
Microsoft Purview DLP is part of a broader suite of tools that provides comprehensive data governance and compliance solutions. The DLP component helps organizations to identify, monitor, and protect sensitive information across Microsoft 365 services, including Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams, as well as third-party applications and on-premises file stores.
The central feature of Microsoft Purview DLP is its policy management framework, which allows administrators to create and enforce data protection policies based on specific regulatory requirements and business needs.
These policies can trigger actions such as alerts, encryption, and blocking of data sharing when sensitive information is at risk of unauthorized exposure. This enables organizations to control data movement and usage, ensuring compliance with relevant data protection regulations.
Key Features
- Sensitive Information Types. This feature utilizes deep content analysis to detect and classify over 100 built-in sensitive information types.
- Policy Tips. Integrated directly into the user experience of Microsoft Office apps, Policy Tips provide real-time alerts to users when they are about to violate a DLP policy.
- Endpoint DLP. Extends DLP capabilities to sensitive items on Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices, monitoring and protecting against risky activities like sharing sensitive data via unauthorized apps or devices.
Drawbacks
- High Licensing Costs. The software can be expensive due to its associated licensing fees, potentially making it less accessible for organizations with limited budgets [*].
- Limited Configuration Options. Options for configuring endpoint DLP policies are limited, restricting the ability to tailor the solution to specific organizational needs [*].
- Non-User-Friendly Interface. The UI is not user-friendly, making navigation through the system hectic and potentially decreasing productivity [*].
17. DTEX inTERCEPT
DTEX inTERCEPT is an insider risk management and behavioral data loss prevention solution. It consolidates the essential elements of endpoint DLP, UBA, UAM, and digital forensics into a single, lightweight platform capable of extending protection to thousands of endpoints and servers without impacting user productivity and endpoint performance.
By combining AI and ML with behavioral indicators, DTEX inTERCEPT enables proactive insider risk management at scale while maintaining employees’ privacy and minimizing impact on network performance.
Key Features
- Real-Time Anomaly Detection: DTEX analyzes each interaction for deviations from baseline activities, enabling organizations to respond proactively to early signs of insider threats. Its real-time anomaly detection capability allows for quick identification of potential security issues.
- Machine Learning/AI: It comes pre-installed with hundreds of patterns of known risky behavior. It then baselines normal user behavior so that, over time, it automatically identifies sudden, high-risk behavior changes. They say you can see the system improve in two weeks.
- Indicators of Intent: Through its patented metadata collection and analytics engine, the DTEX platform surfaces abnormal behavioral “indicators of intent” to mitigate the risk of data and IP loss from critical systems.
Drawbacks
- Limited Monitoring Capability: The program has limited monitoring capabilities, such as no screenshots, keystrokes, clipboard monitoring, etc. It mostly captures file upload/download activities.
- False Positives: Some users on G2 have reported false positives that led to employees being mistakenly marked as potential security threats. The ML has to be trained over time to reduce false positives.
- No Prevention, Only Detection: DTEX inTERCEPT has no rule actions or prevention features. It can only display indicators of compromises but cannot actively prevent them.
- Limitations in Alert Management: Limitations in managing alerts within DTEX could potentially impact the alert system’s effectiveness. Enhancements in alert management capabilities could help organizations better respond to security threats and policy violations.
Related → The 7 Best DTEX Alternatives.
How To Select the Best DLP Tool for Your Organization
When selecting the best DLP tool for your organization, it’s essential to consider several factors to ensure that the solution aligns with your security needs and business objectives.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps and considerations involved:
- Understand Your Data. Before choosing a DLP tool, it’s crucial to clearly understand the types of data your organization handles. Identify where your data resides, how it moves within and outside your organization, and its sensitivity level. This will help you determine the scope and scale of the DLP solution needed.
- Define Your Data Protection Goals. Outline what you aim to achieve with a DLP tool. Goals may include protecting intellectual property, complying with regulations (like GDPR and HIPAA), or preventing data breaches. Clearly defined goals will guide your choice of features and capabilities in a DLP tool.
- Evaluate Key Features. Different DLP tools offer various features, and selecting the right tool depends on the features that best meet your needs. Essential features to consider include:
- Content discovery. Ability to scan and identify sensitive data across various locations.
- Data monitoring. Real-time monitoring of data usage and movement.
- Incident response and alerts. Automated responses and alerts for policy violations.
- Integration capabilities. Compatibility with your existing security tools and IT infrastructure.
- Ease of policy enforcement. Tools should facilitate straightforward policy creation and enforcement.
- Consider Deployment Options. DLP solutions can be deployed on-premises, in the cloud, or as a hybrid model. Each option has its pros and cons:
- On-premises. It offers control over the physical infrastructure but requires significant maintenance and upfront costs.
- Cloud-based. It provides scalability and lowers initial costs but may raise concerns about data sovereignty and security.
- Hybrid. It combines the benefits of both on-premises and cloud, making it suitable for organizations transitioning to the cloud.
- Assess Compliance Requirements. Ensure that the DLP tool you choose helps you meet the regulatory requirements relevant to your industry. The tool should facilitate compliance with laws and standards regarding data protection and privacy.
- Vendor Reputation and Support. Research potential vendors’ reputations, focusing on their stability, customer support, and the robustness of their security measures. Vendor support is crucial, as it affects the implementation phase and ongoing maintenance of the DLP system.
- Test and Evaluate. Before making a final decision, testing the DLP tools on your shortlist in your environment is advisable. Pilot testing will help you see how well each tool integrates with your systems and meets your expectations.
- Cost Consideration. Analyze the total ownership cost, including licensing, implementation, training, and maintenance costs. Opt for a tool that offers the best value for money within your budget.
- User Reviews and Feedback. Look at feedback from other users, especially those in similar industries. User reviews can provide insights into the real-world effectiveness of a DLP tool and highlight any potential issues or advantages you might not have considered.
By thoroughly evaluating these aspects, organizations can select a DLP tool that meets their current data protection needs and scales and adapts to future requirements.
Protect Your Organization’s Sensitive Data with Teramind DLP
Teramind DLP offers a robust and comprehensive solution for organizations looking to safeguard their sensitive data from external and insider threats. With its advanced monitoring capabilities, real-time alerts, and powerful analytics, Teramind DLP effectively protects against data leaks and unauthorized access.
Implementing this system will secure your data and foster a culture of responsibility and compliance among employees. Embrace Teramind DLP to enhance your organization’s data security measures and maintain the integrity of your critical information assets.
FAQs
Which is the best DLP?
The best DLP (Data Loss Prevention) software depends on your organization’s needs and requirements. Some popular DLP solutions include Teramind DLP, Trellix, and Forcepoint DLP. It is recommended to evaluate different options based on features such as data identification, prevention capabilities, ease of use, and integration capabilities with your existing security infrastructure.
What does DLP software do?
DLP software, or Data Loss Prevention software, helps organizations protect sensitive data by monitoring, detecting, and preventing unauthorized access or data leaks. It enables businesses to define policies, monitor user activity, and take immediate action to mitigate the risk of data breaches or loss.
What is an example of DLP?
An example of DLP (Data Loss Prevention) software is Teramind DLP, which offers data identification, prevention capabilities, and integration with existing security infrastructure. Teramind is a popular choice for organizations looking to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
What are the three types of DLP?
The three types of DLP (Data Loss Prevention) software are network, endpoint, and cloud. Network DLP monitors and protects data while it is in transit over the network, endpoint DLP secures data on individual devices, and cloud DLP protects data stored in cloud-based applications and services.
What are DLP risks?
DLP risks refer to potential vulnerabilities and threats that organizations may face regarding data loss prevention. Such risks can include unauthorized access or sharing of sensitive data, breaches, non-compliance with regulations, and loss of business reputation. Implementing robust DLP software can help mitigate these risks and protect organizations from data loss incidents.
What are common DLP use cases?
Some common DLP use cases include protecting intellectual property, securing customer data, and preventing insider threats. DLP software helps organizations prevent data leaks and unauthorized access to sensitive information and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
What can DLP block?
DLP software can block unauthorized access to sensitive data, prevent data leaks, and enforce policies to ensure compliance with industry regulations. Additionally, it can block the sharing of confidential information via email, USB drives, or cloud storage.