What do DLP solutions monitor to prevent data theft?

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions are designed to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access and theft. They achieve this by monitoring data across its various states—when it is in use, in transit, and at rest.

When data is "in use," it is actively being accessed or processed by a user or application. Monitoring during this state allows DLP systems to ensure that sensitive information is not being exposed or misused in real-time. "In transit" refers to data that is being transmitted across networks, where there is a significant risk of interception or leakage. DLP solutions can identify and prevent sensitive data from being sent out inappropriately via emails, uploads, or transmissions. Lastly, "at rest" pertains to data stored on devices, servers, or cloud storage. Monitoring this state helps to safeguard against unauthorized access or data breaches where adversaries may attempt to exploit stored data.

Integrating all three states of data ensures comprehensive protection, making this option the most accurate representation of what DLP solutions monitor to prevent data theft.