Data Loss Prevention (DLP) has become a critical component of modern cybersecurity strategies as organisations face increasing threats to their sensitive information.
With the rise of remote work, cloud adoption, and sophisticated cyber-attacks, protecting valuable data from unauthorised access or accidental exposure is more important than ever.
Here, we’ll explore the top DLP software solutions that can help safeguard your organization’s most critical assets:
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Proofpoint Enterprise DLP
Proofpoint offers a comprehensive DLP solution that protects sensitive data across email, cloud, and endpoint environments. Its advanced machine-learning capabilities enable accurate content classification and policy enforcement.Proofpoint offers a comprehensive DLP solution that protects sensitive data across email, cloud, and endpoint environments. Its advanced machine-learning capabilities enable accurate content classification and policy enforcement. Proofpoint’s DLP integrates seamlessly with its broader security ecosystem, providing holistic protection against insider threats and external attacks. Key features include real-time threat detection, automated incident response, and detailed forensics reporting.
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Microsoft Purview DLP
Microsoft’s DLP solution is part of its broader Purview suite, offering seamless integration with Microsoft 365 applications. It provides comprehensive data protection across cloud services, on-premises environments, and endpoints.Microsoft’s DLP solution is part of its broader Purview suite, offering seamless integration with Microsoft 365 applications. It provides comprehensive data protection across cloud services, on-premises environments, and endpoints. Purview DLP uses machine learning and pattern matching to identify and protect sensitive information, with features like policy tips for end-users and detailed activity reporting for administrators.
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Symantec DLP by Broadcom
Symantec DLP, now part of Broadcom, offers a robust solution for protecting sensitive data across cloud, on-premises, and endpoint environments.Symantec DLP, now part of Broadcom, offers a robust solution for protecting sensitive data across cloud, on-premises, and endpoint environments. It features advanced data discovery capabilities, optical character recognition for images, and machine learning-based classification. Symantec DLP also provides detailed incident reporting and remediation workflows to streamline responses to potential data breaches.
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Forcepoint DLP
Forcepoint’s DLP solution focuses on understanding user behaviour to prevent data loss.Forcepoint’s DLP solution focuses on understanding user behaviour to prevent data loss. It offers comprehensive visibility across on-premises and cloud environments, with features like automated policy management and incident risk ranking. Forcepoint DLP also includes advanced analytics to identify high-risk users and anomalous data movement patterns.
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Digital Guardian Endpoint DLP
Digital Guardian provides a flexible DLP solution that combines endpoint detection and response with data loss prevention.Digital Guardian provides a flexible DLP solution that combines endpoint detection and response with data loss prevention. It offers context-aware data classification, real-time analytics, and automated policy enforcement. Digital Guardian’s DLP stands out for its ability to protect intellectual property and trade secrets using advanced content inspection techniques.
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Trellix DLP
Trellix, formerly McAfee Enterprise, offers a comprehensive DLP suite that covers endpoints, networks, and cloud environments.Trellix, formerly McAfee Enterprise, offers a comprehensive DLP suite that covers endpoints, networks, and cloud environments. Its solution features advanced data discovery and classification capabilities, centralised policy management, and detailed incident analysis. Trellix DLP also provides robust integration with other security tools for a unified approach to data protection.
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Endpoint Protector by CoSoSys
Endpoint Protector offers a cross-platform DLP solution focusing on device control and content-aware protection.Endpoint Protector offers a cross-platform DLP solution focusing on device control and content-aware protection. It provides granular control over portable storage devices, strong encryption for data in transit, and advanced content filtering capabilities. Endpoint Protector also offers easy deployment options, including cloud and on-premises installations, making it suitable for organisations of various sizes.
Proofpoint DLP Software vs. The Competition
Proofpoint’s DLP platform stands out in the crowded marketplace as an industry-leading solution. But how does it compare to other top-performing DLP tools?
In this section, we’ll examine Proofpoint DLP alongside its key competitors. Here is a high level overview of how Proofpoint stacks up against other leading DLP solutions, followed by an overview comparing each competitor’s platforms.
| Proofpoint | Purview | Symantec | Forcepoint | Digital Guardian | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impersonation Protection | |||||
| Email Fraud Defense |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Supplier Threat Protection |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Secure Email Relay |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Information Protection | |||||
| Misdirected Email Protection |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
| Email Exfiltration Protection |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
| Email DLP + Encryption |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
| Identity Protection | |||||
| Identity Threat Defense |
Yes
|
||||
| Targeted Attack Protection Account Takeover |
Yes
|
Proofpoint DLP vs. Microsoft Purview DLP
Proofpoint DLP delivers advanced content inspection and behavioural analytics across all channels through a unified cloud-native platform, ensuring comprehensive data protection with minimal false positives.
Microsoft Purview DLP remains confined to the Microsoft ecosystem, lacking integration flexibility and struggling with complex data environments beyond its native tools.
Proofpoint DLP vs. Broadcom Symantec DLP
Proofpoint combines advanced machine learning with streamlined incident response, offering rapid deployment and automatic scaling through its lightweight cloud architecture.
Broadcom Symantec has a complex infrastructure that demands extensive maintenance and fine-tuning, while its resource-heavy deployment often impacts endpoint performance.
Proofpoint DLP vs. ForcePoint DLP
Proofpoint DLP's unified console and advanced analytics provide comprehensive threat visibility while using minimal system resources, ensuring efficient data protection across all channels.
Forcepoint DLP requires multiple add-ons for full functionality and offers limited monitoring capabilities, making it less effective for modern insider threat detection.
Proofpoint DLP vs. Digital Guardian Endpoint DLP
Proofpoint provides enterprise-grade protection through real-time monitoring and seamless cloud integration. Its unified platform ensures comprehensive data protection with industry-leading accuracy.
Digital Guardian's complex licencing structure and limited support options create deployment challenges. Users report difficulties with configuration management and slower-than-expected incident response times.
Proofpoint DLP vs. Trellix DLP
Proofpoint DLP delivers superior threat detection through integrated behavioural analytics and automated response capabilities. Its cloud-native architecture ensures rapid deployment with minimal maintenance overhead.
Trellix DLP's fragmented interface and resource-intensive deployment create operational challenges. Users report difficulties with policy management and inconsistent detection accuracy.
Proofpoint DLP vs. Endpoint Protector by CoSoSys
Proofpoint DLP offers comprehensive protection across all channels, combining advanced content analysis with sophisticated behavioural monitoring and automated incident response.
Endpoint Protector's limited email and web security capabilities create coverage gaps. While strong in device control, it lacks the depth needed for enterprise-wide data protection.
Proofpoint DLP: The Upper-Echelon for Data Loss Prevention
Proofpoint Enterprise DLP leads the market with its people-centric approach to data protection, combining advanced content inspection with behavioural analytics. Its unified platform provides unprecedented visibility across email, cloud, and endpoint environments while integrating threat intelligence to provide helpful context for accurate risk assessment.
The solution's advanced machine learning capabilities and unified console streamline incident management while effectively counteracting both careless and malicious behaviours. Through deep content analysis and intelligent policy enforcement, Proofpoint DLP ensures comprehensive protection against data loss while minimising false positives.
Learn more about Proofpoint’s Data Loss Protection and Prevention Platform or contact Proofpoint for more information.
DLP Software Must-Haves
Modern DLP software solutions must offer comprehensive features to effectively protect sensitive data across an organization’s digital ecosystem. Here are the essential capabilities to look for in a robust DLP solution:
Data Monitoring
Data discovery and classification
The top DLP tools should automatically identify and classify sensitive data and its metadata. This is crucial for keeping pace with constant data creation and modification to ensure data leaks are not overlooked.
Real-time monitoring and analysis
DLP tools must provide real-time monitoring and analysis of data in use, in motion, and at rest. This allows for immediate detection of policy violations and potential data breaches, enabling quick response to security threats.
User and Entity Behaviour Analytics (UEBA)
UEBA capabilities help detect unusual user behaviour patterns that might signal insider threats or compromised accounts.
Integration and Expansion
Cloud integration
With the rapid adoption of cloud services, DLP solutions must seamlessly integrate with popular cloud platforms and applications to prevent data leaks in cloud environments.
Integration with existing security infrastructure
The DLP solution should easily integrate with other security tools like firewalls, secure web gateways, and cloud access security brokers (CASBs) to provide a unified security approach.
Scalability and flexibility
The solution must be scalable to handle large amounts of data and adaptable to meet an organization’s changing demands and specific security needs.
Security and Protection
Policy management and enforcement
The ability to create, manage, and enforce granular data protection policies across all monitored channels is essential. This includes endpoints, networks, cloud services, and email systems.
Endpoint protection
DLP software should offer robust endpoint security features to enforce data protection policies at the endpoint level, including devices, applications, and file encryption.
Incident response and remediation
The DLP solution should easily integrate with other security tools like firewalls, secure web gateways, and cloud access security brokers (CASBs) to provide a unified security approach.
Content-based classification
These solutions must employ advanced algorithms and machine learning to detect patterns and context in various file types, enabling precise identification and categorisation of sensitive data.
What is DLP software?
DLP software is a set of tools and technologies designed to detect, monitor, and prevent the unauthorised use or transmission of sensitive data. It acts as a watchdog for your organization’s information, identifying and protecting confidential data whether it’s in use, in motion, or at rest.
By implementing DLP solutions, companies can enforce data handling policies, comply with regulatory requirements, and substantially reduce data breaches or leaks that result in significant financial losses and reputational damage.
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