Use Cases for EDP

It can be a challenge to understand the requirements of an End-Point DLP, and for that you can refer the below curated list of use-cases which are most commonly required in compliances and used to prevent data leak.

Device Controls

  • USB and Peripheral Control: Block or allow specific USB devices or categories (e.g., storage devices, printers) based on policies.
  • File Transfer Logging: Log all files transferred to and from removable devices, with details such as timestamps and file names.
  • Encryption Enforcement on Removable Media: Automatically encrypt data transferred to USB drives and external storage.
  • Screen Capture Blocking: Prevent unauthorized screenshots on specific applications or when sensitive data is displayed.
  • Bluetooth and Infrared Control: Restrict Bluetooth or infrared data transfers to prevent unauthorized data sharing.
  • Printer Control: Monitor and restrict document printing, allowing only authorized printing of sensitive information.

Application Controls

  • Application Whitelisting/Blacklisting: Allow or block specific applications from running based on security policies.
  • Clipboard Management: Restrict copy-pasting sensitive data to unauthorized applications or locations.
  • Screenshot Detection: Monitor or block screenshots within sensitive applications.
  • File Access Control: Limit access to sensitive files based on the application in use.
  • Custom Application Monitoring: Track data accessed or modified within custom applications critical to business operations.

Browser Controls

  • Web URL Filtering: Block or allow access to specific websites based on data sensitivity and business needs.
  • Download and Upload Restrictions: Control file downloads and uploads on untrusted websites, especially for sensitive data.
  • Web Form Data Monitoring: Monitor and restrict sensitive data entry into web forms on unauthorized sites.
  • Session Logging: Capture detailed session logs to monitor user behavior on approved and unapproved sites.
  • Incognito/Private Mode Restrictions: Block incognito mode or log sessions to prevent untracked data transfer attempts.

Data Discovery

  • Sensitive Data Identification: Use pattern matching, regular expressions, and AI to classify sensitive information stored on endpoints.
  • Data Location Mapping: Map the location of sensitive data across the network, categorizing it by type (e.g., PII, financial data).
  • Content Scanning for Compliance: Scan stored data to ensure it meets compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
  • Periodic Scanning and Auditing: Schedule regular scans to detect and classify newly created or modified files with sensitive content.
  • User Awareness and Notification: Notify users when sensitive data is detected in unauthorized locations, promoting better data hygiene.

Network Control

  • Data Transfer Monitoring: Monitor and control data transfers across the network, especially for sensitive information.
  • Protocol and Port Filtering: Restrict or monitor specific protocols (e.g., FTP, HTTP) to prevent unauthorized data egress.
  • SSL/TLS Inspection: Decrypt and inspect encrypted traffic to detect unauthorized data transmissions.
  • Anomaly Detection: Use behavioral analytics to detect unusual data transfer activities that might indicate a data breach.
  • Network-based Data Masking: Mask or tokenize sensitive data transferred over the network to ensure secure transmission.

Cloud Application Controls (O365/G Suite)

  • Cloud File Access Control: Monitor and control access to files stored in cloud services like O365 and G Suite based on user roles.
  • Data Sharing Restrictions: Prevent sharing of sensitive files outside the organization or limit sharing to trusted domains.
  • Cloud Activity Monitoring: Track all user activities within cloud applications, including file creation, editing, and deletion.
  • Conditional Access Based on Device: Restrict access to cloud services based on device type, location, and security compliance.
  • Real-time Data Loss Prevention: Detect and block sensitive data uploads to cloud storage or shared folders in real time.

End-point Controls

  • File Access Restrictions: Control which files can be accessed, copied, or modified on endpoints based on sensitivity.
  • Remote Wipe and Lock: Remotely wipe or lock endpoint devices that are lost, stolen, or compromised to protect data.
  • Application Sandboxing: Run applications in isolated environments to prevent malware from spreading and accessing sensitive data.
  • Persistent Monitoring and Alerting: Continuously monitor endpoint activities and generate alerts for unauthorized actions.
  • Geo-fencing: Limit endpoint access to specific networks or geographical areas, ensuring sensitive data is only accessible within secure locations.

User Monitoring

  • Session Logging: Track user sessions in detail, recording actions taken and data accessed.
  • Screen Capture and Keystroke Monitoring: Capture screens or keystrokes to monitor potentially suspicious actions.
  • Idle Time Monitoring: Track periods of inactivity and log users out automatically to prevent unauthorized access.
  • User Action Reports: Generate reports on user actions with sensitive data, providing visibility for audits.
  • Time-based Access Control: Restrict user access to data based on time, limiting access to working hours or specific shifts.

User Behavior Analysis

  • Anomaly Detection: Identify unusual behavior patterns, such as excessive downloads or accessing restricted files, which might indicate insider threats.
  • Risk Scoring: Assign risk scores to users based on behavior and data access patterns, flagging high-risk individuals.
  • Insider Threat Detection: Use machine learning to detect indicators of insider threats, such as data hoarding or misuse.
  • Real-time Behavior Profiling: Monitor and profile user behavior in real time to establish a baseline and detect deviations.
  • Advanced Threat Detection: Combine behavioral insights with threat intelligence to detect sophisticated attacks targeting sensitive data.

Incident Reporting

  • Automated Alert Generation: Generate alerts for policy violations or suspicious actions, automatically escalating incidents.
  • Customizable Reporting Dashboards: Provide dashboards with filters for viewing specific incidents by category, severity, or affected data.
  • Detailed Audit Trails: Record all actions and events in detail for forensic analysis and audit purposes.
  • Real-time Notifications: Send real-time notifications to security teams when high-risk incidents occur.
  • Compliance Reporting: Generate reports aligned with compliance requirements, such as GDPR and HIPAA, detailing incidents and remediation steps.

Third-party Integration

  • SIEM Integration: Integrate with SIEM systems to centralize logs and incidents for cross-platform correlation.
  • Threat Intelligence Feeds: Leverage external threat intelligence to improve DLP policies and detect emerging threats.
  • IAM Integration: Integrate with Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions for unified user control and policy enforcement.
  • Ticketing System Integration: Connect with ticketing systems (e.g., ServiceNow) for automated incident response workflows.
  • Endpoint Security Solutions: Integrate with antivirus and endpoint protection software to enrich data on endpoint security incidents and provide layered protection.