Data Protection & Privacy

Data Loss Prevention

  • May 9, 2025
  • 0

Sherlocked Security – Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Design & Implementation

Prevent Unauthorized Data Exposure and Protect Sensitive Information Across Your Network

1. Statement of Work (SOW)

Service Name: Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Design & Implementation
Client Type: Enterprises, Healthcare Providers, Financial Institutions, Government Agencies
Service Model: Project-Based Assessment & Ongoing Support
Compliance Alignment: GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, NIST 800-53, ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2

Data Loss Prevention Design Covers:

  • Assessment of current data protection posture
  • Development of DLP policies and rules tailored to business needs
  • Integration of DLP solutions across endpoints, network, and cloud services
  • Data classification and encryption implementation
  • Insider threat monitoring and prevention strategies
  • Compliance gap analysis and mitigation planning
  • Ongoing monitoring and incident response playbooks

2. Our Approach

[Initial Assessment] → [Data Classification] → [DLP Policy Design] → [Tool Selection & Integration] → [Deployment & Testing] → [Compliance Mapping] → [Ongoing Monitoring & Optimization]

3. Methodology

  • Assessment & Discovery:

    • Review current data protection strategies and identify critical data.
    • Analyze existing tools, policies, and compliance gaps.
    • Evaluate current data access controls and user behavior.

  • Data Classification & Sensitivity Mapping:

    • Classify data based on sensitivity levels (e.g., PII, PHI, financial data).
    • Map data flow and identify areas of vulnerability where data is exposed or at risk.

  • DLP Policy Design & Customization:

    • Design DLP rules based on industry best practices, compliance requirements, and business needs.
    • Create policies that restrict unauthorized data access, sharing, and leakage.
    • Develop incident response workflows for suspected data breaches.

  • DLP Tool Evaluation & Integration:

    • Select and deploy DLP tools that are best suited for your infrastructure (e.g., endpoint DLP, network DLP, cloud DLP).
    • Integrate DLP with existing security tools (SIEM, EDR, firewalls).
    • Ensure compatibility with existing data protection technologies (e.g., encryption, rights management).

  • Policy Deployment & Testing:

    • Implement DLP policies across endpoints, email systems, cloud environments, and network devices.
    • Conduct testing and validation to ensure DLP rules are working effectively.
    • Simulate data loss scenarios to evaluate DLP response and effectiveness.

  • Compliance Mapping & Gap Analysis:

    • Ensure DLP design aligns with regulatory requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS.
    • Identify gaps in the current DLP implementation and recommend remedial actions.

  • Ongoing Monitoring & Incident Response:

    • Set up continuous monitoring and logging to track DLP incidents.
    • Develop and refine incident response processes for DLP-related breaches.
    • Provide ongoing reporting and analytics to assess DLP effectiveness.

4. Deliverables to the Client

  1. DLP Assessment Report: A comprehensive evaluation of current data protection practices, risks, and vulnerabilities.
  2. DLP Policy Framework: A detailed document outlining DLP rules, controls, and classifications tailored to the organization’s needs.
  3. Tool Evaluation & Integration Plan: Recommendations for selecting and integrating DLP tools into the existing infrastructure.
  4. Incident Response Plan: A documented playbook for responding to data loss incidents, including communication protocols and escalation steps.
  5. Compliance Mapping Report: Identification of compliance gaps and recommended actions to align with data protection regulations.
  6. DLP Testing Report: A summary of test results, including policy effectiveness and gaps, with improvement recommendations.
  7. Ongoing Monitoring Strategy: A framework for continuous monitoring, including key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting guidelines.

5. What We Need from You (Client Requirements)

  • Current Data Protection Documentation: Existing data security policies, classification schemes, and risk assessments.
  • Access to Data Flow Diagrams: Current data flow diagrams across endpoints, cloud, and network environments.
  • DLP Tool Access: If applicable, access to existing DLP tools for assessment and configuration review.
  • Regulatory Compliance Documentation: Any current documentation related to compliance frameworks (GDPR, HIPAA, PCI, etc.).
  • Security Infrastructure Overview: Information about existing security tools, like SIEM, firewalls, and endpoint protection solutions.
  • Stakeholder Interviews: Access to data owners, compliance officers, and security administrators for discussions.

6. Tools & Technology Stack

  • DLP Solutions:
    • Symantec DLP, Digital Guardian, Forcepoint DLP, McAfee DLP
  • Data Classification:
    • Varonis, Boldon James, Microsoft Information Protection
  • Encryption Solutions:
    • Vormetric, McAfee Encryption, Symantec Encryption
  • SIEM & Incident Response:
    • Splunk, IBM QRadar, ArcSight
  • Cloud DLP:
    • Microsoft Cloud App Security, Google Cloud DLP, McAfee MVISION Cloud
  • Endpoint Protection:
    • CrowdStrike, Carbon Black, Sophos Intercept X

7. Engagement Lifecycle

  1. Kickoff & Scoping: Initial discussion, collection of documentation, and alignment on objectives.
  2. Data Discovery & Classification: Identify and categorize critical and sensitive data across the organization.
  3. Policy Design & Tool Selection: Develop DLP policies, select DLP tools, and plan integration.
  4. Implementation & Integration: Deploy DLP tools, integrate with security infrastructure, and configure policies.
  5. Testing & Validation: Conduct real-world testing to validate DLP effectiveness and policy coverage.
  6. Compliance Mapping & Gaps: Ensure that DLP solutions meet the regulatory and compliance requirements.
  7. Ongoing Monitoring & Reporting: Set up monitoring tools and incident reporting processes.
  8. Final Report & Handover: Deliver final assessment report, including risk analysis, recommendations, and remediation steps.

8. Why Sherlocked Security?

Feature Sherlocked Advantage
Tailored DLP Policies Custom policies built around your data flow and business needs
Comprehensive Coverage Endpoint, network, and cloud DLP solutions integrated
Regulatory Compliance Focus Aligned with GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and other standards
Advanced Tool Integration Expertise with leading DLP platforms and security tools
Proactive Incident Response Comprehensive incident handling and prevention strategies

9. Real-World Case Studies

Healthcare Provider – HIPAA Compliance for Patient Data

Client: A regional healthcare provider required HIPAA-compliant data protection for patient records.
Findings: Unprotected email attachments were a primary data leak vector.
Outcome: Implemented endpoint DLP and email filtering, ensuring compliance and reducing data exposure risks.

Financial Institution – Insider Threat Protection

Client: A global bank dealing with insider threats and unauthorized data transfers.
Findings: Insufficient controls around file sharing and external device use.
Outcome: Deployed network DLP and restricted external device usage, significantly reducing data loss incidents.

10. SOP – Standard Operating Procedure

  1. Initial Assessment: Review existing data protection measures and conduct risk assessments.
  2. Data Classification: Identify and classify sensitive data based on compliance and business needs.
  3. Policy Design: Develop DLP rules and policies tailored to organization’s data handling.
  4. Tool Selection & Integration: Select appropriate DLP tools and integrate with existing infrastructure.
  5. Deployment & Testing: Deploy and test DLP policies across all channels (email, endpoints, cloud).
  6. Compliance Mapping: Ensure DLP solution meets regulatory standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
  7. Incident Response: Set up response protocols for DLP incidents.
  8. Ongoing Monitoring: Continuous monitoring, auditing, and policy adjustment.

11. DLP Design Checklist

1. Pre-Assessment Preparation

  • [ ] Current data security and protection policies
  • [ ] Data flow diagrams across business functions
  • [ ] Data classification documentation
  • [ ] Inventory of sensitive data across systems and users
  • [ ] Existing compliance documents

2. During Engagement

  • [ ] Define sensitive data and classification levels
  • [ ] Design tailored DLP policies for different user groups
  • [ ] Deploy DLP tools across endpoints, network, and cloud
  • [ ] Conduct data loss scenario testing
  • [ ] Assess DLP integration with security stack (SIEM, EDR, etc.)

3. Post-Engagement Actions

  • [ ] Deliver risk assessment and policy effectiveness report
  • [ ] Conduct an executive briefing on DLP impact and recommendations
  • [ ] Provide a roadmap for ongoing monitoring and policy refinement
  • [ ] Offer training for staff on data protection best practices
Encryption Architecture
Data Classification & Tagging Automation