I'm working for a legal firm with about 300 mostly remote users, and we're currently reviewing our data loss prevention (DLP) options. An audit last quarter has pushed this to the top of our priorities, and I need to figure out whether to go with a standalone DLP solution or integrate it into a Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platform. The goal is to enforce controls at the network layer rather than just on endpoints.
I'm creating a list of requirements based on what's available:
1. A single policy for both remote and office users, no separate systems.
2. Comprehensive AI tools for managing data, particularly around what I'm seeing with ChatGPT – there's a lot of uncontrolled data movement there.
3. GDPR compliance for identity documents and client information.
4. On-premises file server scanning since we have older servers with sensitive client data that needs to be discovered and classified, not just inspected for traffic.
5. Endpoint DLP as a backup for users who are offline.
However, I'm struggling with image classification, especially for scanned documents and phone photos, since many platforms still depend on OCR which often struggles with these formats. I'm curious if DLP integrated into a SASE platform is mature enough to serve as the primary control, or if standalone DLP is still the wiser choice. Has anyone had experience in a legal or professional services setting where the data types are more unstructured than others like finance or healthcare?
5 Answers
A hybrid strategy is the way to go! Use SASE DLP for network traffic, but also maintain endpoint agents that can scan files before they exit the network. For those tough cases like phone photos or scanned documents, standalone DLP tools such as Forcepoint or Symantec DLP might offer better image classification capabilities.
You seem to have a strong grasp on your DLP requirements! With data protection becoming increasingly complex, a combination of SASE with a solid DLP tool is smart. Many organizations have benefited from using solutions like BreachLock alongside their SASE platforms to streamline management of structured and unstructured data. This should help you meet compliance effectively in a remote work setup.
You're likely going to run into limitations using just one platform for all your DLP needs. Many platforms handle structured files just fine, but when it comes to things like phone photos or scanned documents at odd angles, OCR can really drop the ball. It's a spotty area that needs careful consideration.
Combining different solutions is crucial here. There are data security and protection management (DSPM) products that use AI to analyze image documents and can automatically apply classification labels according to your criteria.
I suggest you treat SASE DLP as your primary for network and remote enforcement, but definitely keep a standalone endpoint DLP solution for those high-risk areas like unstructured sources, scans, and phone images. Consider implementing automated classification for your file storage systems. This hybrid approach can help you close the gaps while keeping everything centralized and ready for audits.
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