Protection Against Data Loss: Which Provider Is Right for You?
Protecting against data loss is becoming increasingly important for businesses. This is no longer relevant only to companies handling personal data (such as online retailers or healthcare providers). However, there are significant differences among available “Data Loss Prevention” (DLP) solutions. We show you what to consider when building your DLP system.
All “Data Loss Prevention” providers initially promise the same thing: maximum protection for your corporate data. Yet when selecting the right security system, companies are often constrained by their own organizational structure and internal security policies. For example, U.S.-based companies are frequently required to source their security solutions from American vendors. A solid understanding of the various providers can help avoid many problems right from the start. The following comparison of different systems will help you determine which security solution best suits your business.
Available DLP Systems
A solid understanding of the various providers helps avoid problems when selecting a DLP solution. (Source: iStock / sanjeri)
Essentially, there are two types of DLP solutions: network-based and agent-based. Network-based solutions have the advantage of being tightly integrated with the company’s firewall. Together, they monitor incoming and outgoing data traffic and block any unauthorized data transfers. Compared to agent-based solutions, these are generally easier to install. However, network-only solutions quickly reach their limits. They cannot monitor data copied to locally connected devices such as external hard drives or printers. Therefore, only providers offering agent-based solutions are presented below.
Key Configuration Considerations
Every day, vast amounts of data flow in and out of companies. When a DLP system triggers a false alarm, it’s known as a false positive. This issue – familiar from antivirus software – arises from overly sensitive configurations and can severely disrupt business operations. Since there are no standardized guidelines for vendors yet, companies must thoroughly test and optimize their own policies.
A central part of setting up a DLP platform tailored to your organization is creating templates. This process can be time-consuming. To streamline implementation, some providers offer pre-built templates. To ensure these templates are truly applicable, companies should conduct a Proof of Concept to verify the system’s suitability for their specific environment.
Four DLP Solution Providers:
Here’s a brief overview of European and American DLP providers that could be a good fit for your business:
Somansa
→ Headquartered in the USA
→ Offers both network- and agent-based solutions
→ Supports inspection of structured databases (including Microsoft, Linux, and SQL Server)
→ Available for on-premise and cloud deployment
Clearswift
→ Headquartered in the UK
→ Agent-based solution
→ Currently supports only Windows clients
→ Offers various versions for different environments
Forcepoint
→ Headquartered in the USA
→ Modular system allowing companies to gradually expand DLP protection to additional areas (e.g., email data protection)
→ Enables monitoring of cloud environments such as SharePoint
→ Offers a wide range of industry-specific templates
Digital Guardian
→ Headquartered in the USA
→ Offers both network- and agent-based solutions
→ Particularly known for automatic data classification
→ Provides various pre-built templates
→ Allows creation of custom templates
Key Facts
GDPR Fines: European data protection authorities have imposed over 4.5 billion Euro in penalties to date.
Data Breaches: 83 percent of companies experience more than one data breach per year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common cyber threats for businesses?
According to the BSI (Federal Office for Information Security) threat report, ransomware, phishing, DDoS attacks, and supply-chain compromises are the most common threats. German companies also face regulatory risks (GDPR, NIS2).
How much should a company invest in cybersecurity?
Industry experts recommend allocating 10 to 15 percent of the IT budget to cybersecurity. According to Bitkom, German companies currently average 14 percent. The strategic allocation across prevention, detection, and response matters as much as the total amount.
Does every company need a CISO?
Not every company requires a full-time Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), but every organization needs clear accountability for IT security at the executive level. SMEs can rely on an external CISO (Virtual CISO). Under NIS2, management responsibility for cybersecurity is now legally mandated.
Related Articles
- Benchmark Tests for Measuring IT Security
- Cybersecurity Trends 2026: The 7 Key Developments for Businesses
- Cybersecurity 2025: A Year in Review – Incidents, Trends, Lessons
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Header Image Source: iStock / www.fotogestoeber.de
Fact: According to IBM, 95 percent of all cybersecurity incidents are caused by human error.
Fact: According to IBM, 95 percent of all cybersecurity incidents are caused by human error.
TL;DR
- Available DLP systems A solid understanding of the various providers helps avoid problems when selecting a DLP solution.
- This is no longer relevant only to companies handling personal data (e.g., online retailers, healthcare, etc.).
- All “Data Loss Prevention” providers promise the same thing initially: maximum protection for your corporate data.
- When selecting the right security system, companies are dependent on their own organizational structure and internal security policies.
