A recent study revealed that employees typically download around 30GB of data monthly from SaaS applications to their devices, including mobile phones, laptops, and desktops. This high volume illustrates the large amounts of unsecured data flowing across networks and devices, underscoring the critical need for advanced data protection measures.
To ensure end-to-end protection, security analysts need to employ advanced, all-encompassing data protection measures. This can be done by utilizing technology that addresses all critical aspects of data movement and handling, the “Who, What, Where, and How” of data’s origin. Capabilities like origin-based data identification, manipulation detection, and data egress controls allow security analysts to effectively monitor and manage data throughout its entire lifecycle, ensuring protection across all endpoints. However, the benefits of advanced data protection go beyond simply securing data in motion.
In the age of AI, employees can access a world of different Generative AI (GenAI) platforms with just a single click. Although convenient, many employees don’t recognize or understand the potential threats caused by inputting sensitive data into GenAI platforms. As a result, modern solutions that prevent unauthorized sharing of sensitive information are a necessity given today’s cyberthreat landscape.
A recent survey highlights a troubling trend in unauthorized SaaS application usage among organizations. Key findings show that a staggering 73% of security professionals admitted using non-approved SaaS apps, with significant risks such as data loss (65%) and data breaches (52%) cited among the top concerns. Despite this awareness, only 37% have established clear policies to address these risks, revealing a significant gap in security governance that urgently needs addressing to prevent serious compliance and security issues.
There are numerous DLP solutions available in today’s market, but not every solution accounts for the evolving data security risks security teams face daily. Next DLP’s recent announcement of Secure Data Flow, a feature within the Reveal Platform, paves the way for high-performance risk detection and protection capabilities, streamlining data management, improving data sensitivity recognition, and reducing ongoing content inspection costs. Next-gen DLP solutions such as this have the capabilities to identify and track data through its entire lifecycle from origin to egress. By analyzing data’s origin and content, these platforms can prevent data that is traveling to external locations or networks.
Focusing on data lineage enables companies to enhance their cybersecurity strategies by precisely identifying and monitoring high-risk employee groups or individuals. This targeted approach not only allows for the early detection of potential date exfiltration activities but also aids in tracing the flow of data across the organization. For example, this can look like monitoring employee activity following a RIF by detecting and immediately flagging suspicious actions. Or, for instance, consider a disgruntled employee following a return to office mandate.
Whatever the instance, Secure Data Flow tracks an employee downloading IP, renaming files, or archiving data to then exfiltrate that data into a personal Shadow SaaS service or application.
It’s crucial to recognize that not all insider risks and data loss incidents stem from intentional malice. In many instances, employees may inadvertently create security risks in their pursuit of efficiency—for instance, by downloading intellectual property or sensitive data from corporate repositories and uploading it to personal or unsanctioned GenAI and shadow SaaS solutions to enhance job performance.
With the latest capabilities, data loss and insider risk solutions are designed to coach employees on handling sensitive information. By educating employees, reinforcing good behavior, and providing continuous feedback and training, this approach helps foster a culture of security within the company. This reduces the likelihood of insider threats by making employees more knowledgeable and vigilant about data protection.
With the right technology, security teams can:
- Achieve Comprehensive Data Tracking: Advanced data protection enables organizations to secure critical business data not only during transit but also at rest and in use within SaaS applications. Comprehensive tracking capabilities ensure that sensitive information remains protected regardless of its location or state, whether stored in cloud environments or accessed from mobile devices and desktops. By monitoring data flows across the entire ecosystem, security teams gain visibility into how data moves within and outside the organization, facilitating proactive risk management and compliance with data privacy regulations.
- Enhance Data Protection: Organizations can effectively safeguard their intellectual property, proprietary information, and other sensitive data from potential loss, leakage, or theft. Advanced data protection solutions leverage encryption, access controls, and data masking techniques to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive information.
- Provide Insightful Investigations: Security analysts benefit from advanced data protection tools by gaining contextual insights into the origin, manipulation, and lineage of data. These insights enable swift and accurate incident response, helping analysts identify and mitigate security incidents before they escalate. By tracing data movement and access patterns, security teams can conduct thorough investigations into suspicious activities, track data breaches, and assess the impact on business operations.
As new technologies are introduced and our digital ecosystems expand, investing in advanced data protection is a strategic imperative and necessity for maintaining a strong security posture. By shifting to revolutionized advanced solutions that safeguard data in motion, at rest, and in use, organizations can proactively defend against emerging threats. These advanced technologies enable security teams to actively fortify their defenses, transform their workflow, and significantly enhance their overall security infrastructure.
