An Overview of Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Mobile devices have become the primary gateway to corporate data for most employees. With over 60% of enterprise data now accessed via smartphones and tablets, the attack surface for data loss has expanded dramatically. Traditional Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions, designed for traditional endpoint and network protection, are fundamentally unable to address the unique challenges of mobile environments.
In this article, Corrata provides a comprehensive overview of mobile Data Loss Prevention challenges and explores DLP in its modern form to help organisations assess and improve their mobile data protection posture. The accompanying scorecard enables you to quantify your current state and identify priority areas for improvement.
What is Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and why it matters
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) refers to a set of technologies, policies, and processes designed to prevent sensitive information from being accessed, shared, or disclosed inappropriately. At its core, DLP is about reducing the risk that confidential data – such as customer information, intellectual property, financial records, or internal communications – leaves an organisation without authorisation.
DLP has become a critical pillar of information security because data is now the primary asset most organisations are trying to protect. Unlike infrastructure or applications, data is mobile by nature: it moves across devices, networks, cloud services, and third-party platforms. As a result, even organisations with strong perimeter security can experience data exposure if controls are not applied at the data layer itself.
Importantly, many data loss incidents are not malicious. An employee might inadvertently attach a sensitive spreadsheet to the wrong email, upload an internal report to a public file-sharing service, or paste confidential information into a collaboration tool that lacks proper access controls.
The two main types of DLP: “Data in Motion” and “Data at Rest”
Endpoint-based DLP (data in motion) focuses on how data is used and transmitted. It monitors and controls actions such as copying files, uploading documents, sending emails, or pasting text into applications. These controls typically operate on user devices and aim to prevent sensitive data from being moved to unauthorised destinations.
Storage-based DLP (data at rest) focuses on where data is stored. It scans repositories such as file servers, cloud storage platforms, email systems, and SaaS applications to identify sensitive data and ensure it is appropriately protected.
How GenAI and Off-channel communications increases DLP risk
The rapid emergence of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Co-Pilot and Claude has materially changed the data risk landscape. Employees increasingly upload corporate documents into these tools to improve productivity, often without understanding the downstream risks or data retention implications. Analysts and commentators are constantly re-assessing the relative position of the main contenders. Employees switch between platforms often using personal accounts.
Another relatively recent trend wide use of mobile messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram for employee/client communications. These off-channel tools often lack enterprise visibility, logging, and governance, increasing the likelihood of sensitive information being shared without oversight.
The role of network controls
Mobile Device Management solutions attempt to address mobile DLP by isolating corporate data on iOS and Android. While effective for containment, these approaches struggle with browser-based SaaS apps and open web platforms where data can still be downloaded or uploaded.
Network-level controls on mobile endpoints help close these gaps by inspecting and enforcing policy on data in motion. They provide visibility and control even when data moves through browsers and third-party services.
A modern DLP strategy must combine endpoint controls, storage visibility, and network enforcement. This is especially critical on mobile devices, where traditional approaches alone are insufficient.
Corrata’s DLP Webinar: Modern Day DLP: Navigating AI & Off-Channel Risks is not to be missed!
Watch our 45 minute webinar to understand how AI and off-channel communications have dramatically increased the DLP stakes and to learn how your organisation can respond. Sign Up Here!
What You’ll Walk Away With:
- The DLP Evolution
Where we’ve been, where we are, and why simply disabling cut and paste is not longer enough - The New Risk Landscape
How AI tools and off-channel communications are creating blind spots your current DLP can’t see. - Boardroom-Level Stakes
The financial, reputational, compliance, and legal risks keeping executives up at night. - Actionable Next Steps
1 – 2 things you can do today, plus our DLP Audit Guide to assess your gaps.
