What is the primary goal of data loss prevention (DLP)?

The primary goal of data loss prevention (DLP) is to protect sensitive information from being accessed or transmitted unauthorizedly. DLP solutions are specifically designed to monitor, detect, and respond to potential data breaches and unauthorized data transfers. These systems help organizations ensure that sensitive data, such as personally identifiable information (PII), financial records, or intellectual property, remain secure and are shared only within authorized users and channels.

By focusing on protecting sensitive data, DLP strategies encompass various methods, including encryption, access controls, and user behavior monitoring, to mitigate the risk of data leaks and ensure compliance with regulations. This goal is crucial for maintaining customer trust, safeguarding corporate secrets, and fulfilling legal obligations related to data protection.

Other choices, like promoting data availability or enhancing processing speeds, do not align with the core purpose of DLP. While managing data backup policies is important for data recovery and resilience, it is distinct from the prevention of unauthorized access or transmission, which is central to DLP's goals.