DLP Policy Essentials

DLP policies define what data to protect, where to enforce protection, and what actions to take when violations occur. Effective policies balance security with usability, preventing data loss without blocking legitimate business activities.

Policy Components

Policies include data identification rules defining sensitive content, conditions specifying when policies apply (users, destinations, apps), and actions taken on violations (alert, block, encrypt, quarantine). Exceptions accommodate legitimate business needs.

Data Classification

Base policies on data classification: public (no restrictions), internal (basic controls), confidential (strict controls), restricted (maximum protection). Classification-based policies provide consistent, scalable protection aligned with data sensitivity.

Policy Tuning

Initial policies generate false positives requiring tuning. Analyze incidents, refine detection rules, adjust sensitivity thresholds, create exceptions for legitimate patterns, and educate users. Iterative tuning improves accuracy and user acceptance.

Advanced Policies

Advanced capabilities include contextual policies considering recipient, time, location, risk score; data tagging for persistent protection; remediation workflows requiring approval for sensitive transfers; and integration with rights management for encryption.