What does Data Loss Prevention (DLP) software primarily do?

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) software is specifically designed to protect sensitive information from being disclosed outside of the organization. Its primary functionality revolves around identifying, monitoring, and controlling the movement of confidential data to prevent data breaches. This includes implementing policies that restrict or block the unauthorized transmission of sensitive data, such as financial records, personal information, or proprietary business information.

By monitoring network traffic and user actions, DLP software can detect when confidential data is being shared through email, file transfers, or cloud storage services, and can take actions such as alerting IT personnel or blocking the transfer entirely. The focus of DLP is not on enhancing network performance, managing backups, or handling software updates; rather, it seeks to prevent data leaks and ensure compliance with regulations regarding data security.