IG3

Deploy a Data Loss Prevention Solution

Control Group: 3. Data Protection

Asset Type: Data

Security Function: Protect

Description

Implement an automated tool, such as a host-based Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tool to identify all sensitive data stored, processed, or transmitted through enterprise assets, including those located onsite or at a remote service provider, and update the enterprise's sensitive data inventory.

Implementation Checklist

1

Assess current protection controls in place

2

Configure and deploy required security controls

3

Test control effectiveness in non-production environment

4

Deploy to production and verify functionality

5

Document configuration and operational procedures

6

Select and deploy inventory management tool

7

Populate initial inventory with all known assets

8

Establish process for adding/removing inventory entries

9

Draft policy/procedure document

10

Obtain stakeholder review and approval

11

Communicate to affected personnel

12

Schedule periodic review and updates

13

Inventory all third-party service providers

14

Classify third parties by risk level

15

Conduct security assessments of critical vendors

16

Include security requirements in contracts

Tool Recommendations

Microsoft Purview Forrester Wave Leader, Data Security Platforms 2023

Data governance and compliance platform with DLP, information protection, sensitivity labels, and insider risk management

Microsoft · Per-user subscription (E5/standalone)

Netskope Data Protection Gartner MQ Leader, SSE 2024; Forrester Wave Leader, Data Security 2023

Cloud-native DLP and CASB platform providing inline data protection for SaaS, IaaS, web, and endpoint

Netskope · Per-user subscription

Forcepoint DLP Forrester Wave Strong Performer, Data Security 2023

Data-centric security platform with DLP across endpoint, network, cloud, and email with risk-adaptive protection

Forcepoint · Per-user subscription

Threats & Vulnerabilities (CIS RAM)

Threat Scenarios

Large-Scale Data Exfiltration Without Detection

Confidentiality

Attackers exfiltrate gigabytes of sensitive data via email, cloud uploads, or covert channels without triggering any alerts because no DLP solution monitors outbound data.

Insider Data Theft via Approved Channels

Confidentiality

A malicious insider copies sensitive data to personal email, cloud storage, or removable media in bulk, undetected because no automated tool monitors for sensitive data movement.

Vulnerabilities (When Safeguard Absent)

No Automated Data Loss Prevention Controls

Without a DLP solution, the organization has no automated mechanism to detect, alert on, or block unauthorized transmission of sensitive data across any channel.

Unknown Sensitive Data Locations

Without DLP scanning capabilities, the organization cannot discover where sensitive data actually resides, leaving untracked copies unprotected across the enterprise.

Evidence Requirements

Type	Evidence Item	Collection Frequency
Technical	Configuration screenshots or exports showing protection controls enabled	Captured quarterly
Document	Procedure documentation for protection measures	Reviewed annually
Technical	Asset/software inventory export with required fields populated	Exported quarterly for review
Record	Inventory review meeting minutes or sign-off	Per review cycle
Record	Third-party risk assessment reports and scorecards	Annually per vendor
Document	Vendor contracts with security requirements	Per contract cycle
Document	Governing policy document (current, approved, communicated)	Reviewed annually