Data Leak Prevention

With increasing frequency and severity, more and more organizations are becoming victims of high-profile leaks that started with a simple click of the SEND button or an innocuous Instant Messaging conversation. What are often unintentional leaks are compounded by the efforts of malicious activity from both insiders and externals whose goal it is to use the information for illicit purposes. Most data leaks and targeted attacks - inadvertent or intentional - occur at the endpoint and many of these are generated internally. Unmanaged removable media and applications can easily open the floodgates for data to escape into the wrong hands.

Whether unintentional, intentional or malicious in nature, the ramifications of information leaks can be significant. According to the Ponemon Institute, the average cost per customer record lost is approximately $182. These costs are broken out into direct, indirect, and opportunity costs. In total, Network World estimates the aggregate cost of a breach to average $5 million.

For many organizations, losing customer information isn't the only risk; intellectual property, merger and acquisition plans, product launch dates, distribution strategies, and other confidential information pertinent to the day-to-day business must remain secure in order to sustain a competitive advantage. When there is a leak, organization face not only daunting monetary costs, but also a loss to brand and reputation, regulatory penalties, and setbacks to business operations and continuity. To mitigate the risk of information leaks, organizations must employ an information-centric solution with proven coverage, simplicity, and protection.