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Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

5 minutes 5 Questions

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) involves the use of security policies, processes, and tools to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss. DLP covers both data at rest and data in transit and helps organizations prevent accidental or intentional data breaches. It includes monitoring and controlling the movement and use of sensitive information and ensuring that only authorized users can access the data. DLP solutions include data classification, encryption, access control, and incident response capabilities. Organizations often use DLP as part of their overall data protection strategy, ensuring that they adhere to regulatory requirements and industry best practices for securing sensitive information.

Guide: Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for CISSP Exam

Data Loss Prevention (DLP):
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a strategy for making sure that end users do not send sensitive or critical information outside the corporate network. It is important because it protects against both data in motion (as it travels over the network) and data at rest (stored in databases, file servers, etc.).

How it works:
DLP typically works by identifying, monitoring, and protecting data through deep content inspection, and by applying a set of predefined policies. These policies can be designed to prevent unauthorized access, encrypt data, or alert administrators when sensitive data is accessed or transferred.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on DLP:
Understanding the fundamental concepts of DLP is crucial for the exam. Questions might cover areas such as:
1. Definitions and principles of DLP.
2. Common use cases for DLP.
3. How a DLP solution can protect both data in motion and data at rest.
Finally, remember, most situations in the exam are asking for the 'best' answer. This means you should focus on the most comprehensive, secure solution that follows industry's best practices for DLP.

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CISSP - Security analytics and intelligence Example Questions

Test your knowledge of Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3)

Question 1

Which DLP component is best suited to prevent a USB-stick data breach from a corporate network?

Correct Answer: Endpoint DLP

Endpoint DLP focuses on monitoring and controlling the data on user devices, such as PCs, laptops, and mobile devices. In this scenario, Endpoint DLP would be the best solution to prevent data breaches from USB-stick transfers by monitoring data access and transfer on user devices.

Question 2

A credit card company stores customer data, such as card numbers, in its databases. To comply with regulations, the company wants to discover and protect this sensitive data. Which DLP solution should be implemented?

Correct Answer: Storage DLP

A Storage DLP solution focuses on discovering and protecting data at rest, such as files stored in databases, file servers, or storage area networks (SAN). In this scenario, Storage DLP should be used to protect the sensitive customer data.

Question 3

A security analyst discovered that employees are storing sensitive company data on unauthorized cloud storage services. What DLP solution should be implemented to detect and prevent unauthorized data transfers?

Correct Answer: Endpoint DLP

Endpoint DLP is the best choice for this situation because: It operates directly on employee devices (endpoints) where the data is being accessed and transferred from. Endpoint DLP can monitor and control file transfers, uploads, and data movement at the source, before it reaches the network or cloud destination. It can detect and prevent sensitive data from being uploaded to unauthorized cloud storage services in real-time. Endpoint DLP can enforce policies on specific applications, including web browsers and cloud storage clients. It can provide visibility into user actions and data handling on individual devices. While other DLP solutions like Network DLP or Cloud DLP could potentially help, they may not be as effective in preventing the initial upload attempt from the endpoint. Endpoint DLP provides the most direct and comprehensive control over data transfers from employee devices to unauthorized cloud services.

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