For many organizations, monitoring end user access to sensitive information, as well as the movement of this data is an essential part of their cybersecurity program. Before the ubiquity of cloud platforms and hybrid work this was done with an on premises data loss prevention tool. Today, the category has been forced to evolve to address the challenges of distributed workforces, but this transformation has been slow and not uniform across the industry. This means it can be difficult to understand the nuances and distinctions among solutions on the market. We’re going to highlight the features of the best data loss prevention solutions on the market to enable you to make an informed decision about which will work for you.
Data Loss Prevention Software Overview
1. Cyberhaven (best overall)
Cyberhaven is a data detection and response solution, combining cloud DLP and endpoint DLP with incident response capabilities in order to empower security admins to discover and detect not just individual instances of sensitive data exposure within applications, but the user activity leading up to these incidents in real time. Cyberhaven classifies content in files and monitors all file events taking place on a user’s system, allowing for automatic logging and intervention any time a user takes prohibited actions (like downloading or emailing) on files from sensitive sources or containing sensitive data. Additionally, Cyberhaven is one of the only DLP solutions to leverage browser data in order to provide cloud visibility and the ability to prevent data egress to unsanctioned cloud apps and data exfiltration from devices.
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2. Forcepoint DLP
Forcepoint is another legacy player in data loss prevention offering broad coverage via different products under the Forcepoint One umbrella. DLP through Forcepoint is managed through a unified policy enforcement console, regardless of which products you’ve adopted. Similar to Symantec it also has some light UEBA capabilities through a “user risk score” that can be applied to DLP security policies.
3. (Broadcom) Symantec Data Loss Prevention
Symantec DLP, acquired by Broadcom in 2019, is one of the oldest players in the data loss prevention space. Like many legacy solutions, it offers separate products to provide coverage across SaaS applications, networks, and endpoints to secure data. Symantec is deployed using a unified server and single management console alongside endpoint agents, file share, and network scanners as needed to perform content inspection and user entity behavior analytics. Symantec’s scope makes it somewhat time-consuming to deploy and better suited to be managed by large security teams that need to protect enterprise data.
4. Trellix (formerly McAfee DLP)
Trellix is the result of a merger between FireEye and McAfee enterprise. Trellix offers four core products under its name: Trellix DLP Endpoint, Trellix DLP Monitor, Trellix DLP Discover, and Trellix DLP Prevent. Each lets you conduct data discovery on endpoints, networks, on-prem data stores, cloud storage (like Dropbox), or emails and web gateways for the types of data you want to protect using features like content fingerprinting. These features are all bundled together in Trellix Complete Data Protection which allows you to manage workflows for these services through its ePolicy Orchestrator.
5. Proofpoint
Proofpoint provides multiple data protection services under its Enterprise DLP platform, including cross-channel DLP, endpoint, CASB, insider threat management, email DLP, and web security. All major components are cloud-based and feed the SaaS-delivered unified alert and remediation dashboard and policies can be created using Proofpoint’s customizable sensitive data scanning and document tagging features.
6. Digital Guardian
Digital Guardian, purchased by Fortra in 2021, is a legacy endpoint solution provider that predominantly focuses on content inspection for endpoints. Leveraging streaming data from endpoint agents and network sensors, Digital Guardian also provides a degree of cloud application visibility, though this is through a proxy, meaning that for full cloud visibility users often deploy a cloud DLP tool or security solution alongside Digital Guardian.
7. CoSoSys Endpoint Protector
CoSoSys Endpoint Protector is a versatile DLP solution that excels in automating information protection across multiple platforms. It empowers security teams to enforce stringent controls over device connections and automates encryption processes to minimize the risk of data leaks and breaches. Its distinct capabilities for scanning and enforcement on data at rest can help with eDiscovery as well. Endpoint Protector also includes advanced content inspection, a function that enhances the detection of policy violations. Moreover, its exceptional management of device permissions, file transfers, and policy adherence contributes to robust data security, protecting intellectual property and reducing instances of data leakage.
8. Code 42
Unlike traditional DLP, Incydr(the name of Code 42’s endpoint solution) centers around monitoring file events, like modification of files and unauthorized movement or copying of files. This makes it more suited to addressing insider threats. Code 42’s commitment to this approach means that its data classification capabilities are limited and that remediation primarily centers around stopping active exfiltration events, rather than user education and preventing unintentional user error.
9. Safetica
Safetica One is a DLP solution that can be deployed on-prem and remotely install agents on employee devices when configured. It has data auditing & classification functionality, as well as insider threat protection, and SIEM integration support. Safetica One is tiered, meaning in order to have data auditing, threat protection, and SIEM support you’ll have to buy the highest tier. Safetica offers a second solution called Safetica Nxt, which is similar to Safetica One, but predominantly for companies without in-house infrastructure and it runs as a cloud-based service.
10. Microsoft DLP
Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention helps teams achieve compliance and data protection within the Microsoft ecosystem, including Office 365, OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, and Exchange for email security. Microsoft Purview leverages its proprietary classification service to provide support for data types like PCI, PII, and PHI within files. Additionally the platform allows custom support for file fingerprinting and exact data match. While Purview supports coverage outside the Microsoft ecosystem, it can be less comprehensive when doing so. For example, coverage Mac-based endpoints doesn’t have feature parity with Windows endpoints. Similarly, while Microsoft provides some plugin support for 3rd party browsers, it prioritizes support for the Edge browser as an “enlightened application.”
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