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Combine MFT with DLP for Optimal Security

Optimal File Security: What’s Needed?

You’ve probably already guessed, but one solution is typically not enough for optimal file transfer security. However, combining two robust solutions can better cover your file security needs and help you meet stringent compliance requirements. But where should you start?

An enterprise file sharing solution, like managed file transfer (MFT), is a solid base and provides a user-friendly way to encrypt your sensitive data in motion as well as at rest. But strong encryption functionality alone is not enough for data security.

Can your file sharing solution ensure sensitive information is not transmitted accidentally? Do you have robust auditing and reporting capabilities to see who is sending what information? And last, but not least, are you protecting your files from viruses and malware?

For more complete security and the peace-of-mind assurance your organization is doing all it can to mitigate cybersecurity risks or accidental transmission of sensitive (sometimes hidden) data, pair your enterprise file sharing solution with adaptive data loss prevention (A-DLP) software.

Related Reading: What is Data Security?

What is A-DLP or DLP?

Adaptive data loss prevention (A-DLP or DLP) is a straightforward security solution that is designed to prevent business interruptions in sending sensitive data while simultaneously allowing organizations to take better control of their critical information and gain more visibility.

DLP is unique as it allows organizations to selectively and strategically remove particularly sensitive and malicious content that may pass in and out of the network. It does so without creating bottlenecks or delays, it doesn’t need human intervention, and there is no time delay of data being placed in quarantine.

In short, DLP green lights “good” or safe information that is intended to be sent, but red lights “bad” or malicious content before it’s ever sent or delivered through redaction, and/or sanitization. And DLP does all this protective watch-guarding without setting off alarms or overwhelming IT personnel with the false positives often seen in other solutions.

A robust DLP solution also provides:

  • Data redaction or replacement: Replaces sensitive text with a series of asterisks to protect PII, PCI, HIPPA, and other sensitive information from being received or sent out
  • Document sanitization: Removes metadata from documents, such as track changes, author information, digital signatures, etc.
  • Optical character recognition: Detects text in images that can be contained in scanned documents and redacts them
  • Structural sanitization: Detects and removes active code from emails and attachments to help prevent advanced persistent threats

Related Reading: What are Data Security Solutions and How Do They Work?

How Can Security Increase When DLP is Added to MFT?

Adding a DLP solution to a compatible enterprise file transfer solution can deliver an unprecedented level of security and oversight.

While MFT can safely protect your data at rest and while in transit, a DLP solution can monitor your critical information before it ever leaves your organization whether through email, websites, social media, enterprise file sharing, and various cloud apps. Fortra's DLP solution can scan more than 250 layers deep to thoroughly review and protect content.

While some security solutions may be able to “stop and block” questionable file transfers, a truly strong DLP solution can automatically apply the optimal level of security (real-time redaction, encryption, blocking, or deleting) depending on specific data content, context, and required regulation policy as determined by your organization or regulated industry compliance standards.

With DLP, you can support the collaboration needed by today’s workforce configurations more than ever, avoid time-sensitive business interruption, and mitigate the risks of having your sensitive data exposed, intercepted, or used maliciously. Combining DLP with MFT delivers the security data needs throughout its entire journey – at the endpoint, on-premises, and/or in the cloud.
 

Related Reading: What is Managed File Transfer (MFT)?

Enterprise File Sharing Solutions and DLP Combined

When paired together using a Secure ICAP Gateway, DLP and your enterprise file sharing solution builds a layer of protection around data transfers from the content contained to the content transferred.

Although both solutions provide the benefit of encryption, DLP takes care of content inspection, while an enterprise file sharing solution ensures the security of the actual file transfer.

With an enterprise file sharing solution in place, the movement of files inside and outside of your organization is secure and automated, with the collaboration and data tracking functionality not available with DLP alone. In addition, ICAP is an industry-standard protocol, which allows for products from different vendors to interoperate. Integrating MFT and DLP delivers both threat protection and data loss prevention.

Pair DLP and an Enterprise File Sharing Solution for Optimal Security

When you put the power of two strong solutions – DLP and an enhanced file sharing solution, like Globalscape EFT – together you gain an extra perimeter of protection to file transfers. Organizations in highly regulated industries, such as healthcare, banking, and insurance as well as government find this integration particularly valuable, especially when provided through one company, such as the security suite options from Fortra.

Globalscape gives organizations a way to centralize, secure, analyze, and streamline file transfers while they are in transit and while at rest with the encryption, automation, and other features needed for easy implementation and adaptation.

Take a quick look at how select security solutions can work together to deliver optimal security and interoperability.

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