data loss prevention

By now, the idea of using data-loss prevention (DLP) technologies to detect and block unauthorized transit of sensitive information across a network at host and gateway points is well accepted. As applied to peripherals such as printers and copiers, the idea is quite novel. But Canon, a longtime maker of printer-fax-copying machines, says DLP can and should be applied to this, too.

Symantec plans to have an updated version of its data-loss prevention suite out by mid-2011 that will add advanced machine-learning capability to simplify data classification and keyword definitions of documents to ease administrative chores associated with properly setting up DLP controls.

In the latest chapter of what it calls its "Secure Borderless Network" initiative, Cisco Wednesday is announcing expanded reporting capability for its ScanSafe Web-filtering service as well as the addition of a data-loss prevention option for the company's cloud-based e-mail security service.

Websense Tuesday announced Triton, a unified security architecture, which merges its data-loss prevention and e-mail security products, keeping much of the security-as-a-service approach it already supports, but with a common management and reporting console.

Data-loss prevention products can potentially save organizations a bundle by preventing the escape of sensitive information. But the six-figure starting price for a typical enterprise deployment of host and gateway-based DLP is tough for many to swallow.