How can you use data loss prevention (DLP) to protect against data breaches in your cybersecurity framework?

1 What is a cybersecurity framework?

A cybersecurity framework is a structured and systematic approach to managing your cybersecurity risks and improving your resilience. It consists of five core functions: identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover. Each function has specific goals, activities, and outcomes that guide your cybersecurity strategy and operations. A cybersecurity framework helps you align your cybersecurity objectives with your business goals, comply with regulatory and industry standards, and communicate your cybersecurity posture to your stakeholders.

2 How does DLP support the identify function?

The identify function of the cybersecurity framework helps you understand your data environment, assets, and risks. DLP supports this function by helping you discover and classify your data according to its sensitivity, value, and location. DLP also helps you map your data flows and identify the sources and destinations of your data. By using DLP, you can create a data inventory and a data risk assessment that inform your data governance policies and procedures.

3 How does DLP support the protect function?

The protect function of the cybersecurity framework helps you safeguard your data from unauthorized access, modification, or deletion. DLP supports this function by helping you implement data security controls, such as encryption, masking, redaction, or tokenization, that prevent or limit the exposure of your data. DLP also helps you enforce data access policies, such as role-based access control, that restrict who can access, use, or share your data. By using DLP, you can reduce the attack surface and the impact of a data breach.

4 How does DLP support the detect function?

The detect function of the cybersecurity framework helps you monitor and analyze your data activities and events for any anomalies or indicators of compromise. DLP supports this function by helping you track and audit your data transactions, such as data transfers, downloads, uploads, or copies, that may indicate a data breach. DLP also helps you alert and notify your data owners, users, and security teams of any suspicious or unauthorized data actions or movements. By using DLP, you can increase your visibility and awareness of your data security status.

5 How does DLP support the respond function?

The respond function of the cybersecurity framework helps you contain, mitigate, and eradicate any data breaches that occur. DLP supports this function by helping you block or quarantine any data that is compromised or leaked. DLP also helps you remediate any data that is corrupted or lost by restoring it from backups or archives. DLP also helps you report and document any data breaches that happen, including the scope, impact, and root cause of the incident. By using DLP, you can minimize the damage and the cost of a data breach.

6 How does DLP support the recover function?

The recover function of the cybersecurity framework helps you restore your normal data operations and improve your data security posture. DLP supports this function by helping you review and evaluate your data breach response and recovery processes. DLP also helps you update and improve your data security policies, controls, and tools based on the lessons learned and the best practices from the incident. DLP also helps you communicate and collaborate with your data stakeholders and regulators on the actions taken and the recommendations made. By using DLP, you can enhance your data governance maturity and resilience.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?