Reinforce your Data Loss Prevention strategy in business environments
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Keeping information secure is a constant challenge for companies. Office documents such as financial reports, contracts or presentations contain sensitive data which, if they fall into the wrong hands, can compromise corporate security and reputation. However, many data leaks do not occur because of sophisticated cyber-attacks, but because of human error, inappropriate configurations or details hidden within the files themselves.
Metadata embedded in office documents can reveal sensitive information unnoticed by users, from modification history to location data to employee names. In addition, file sharing without adequate safeguards increases the risk of unauthorised exposure.
To prevent these leaks, companies must adopt Data Loss Prevention (DLP) strategies, combining best practices with specialised tools such as Metashield which allows hidden metadata to be removed and corporate information to be protected before any documents are shared. In this post we tell you more about Data Loss Prevention and how to protect your company’s data.
What is Data Loss Prevention?
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) refers to the set of technological strategies and tools designed to prevent the loss, theft or unauthorised access to sensitive data within an organisation. The objective is to protect the confidentiality and integrity of the information, minimising the risk of the data being leaked or exposed, either by mistake or through malicious action.
The importance of DLP lies in the protection of critical company information, such as customers’ personal data, trade secrets, intellectual property or financial information. In addition, it helps to comply with privacy and security regulations, such as GDPR or the Data Protection Act, avoiding sanctions and reputational damage to the organisation.
Office documents, such as Word, Excel or PowerPoint files, are essential tools for the daily operations of any business. However, their ease of editing, storing and sharing makes them an easy target for data leaks, whether due to human error or internal and external threats.
Causes of sensitive information leakage
Some of the most common forms of sensitive information leakage include:
- Hidden metadata in documents that may reveal sensitive information such as author names, version history or storage paths.
- Accidental sending of sensitive documents to the wrong recipients.
- Inappropriate use of access permissions, allowing unauthorised users to view or edit information.
- Storage on unsecured platforms, such as cloud services without adequate encryption.
- Use of uncontrolled external devices to transfer files.
Consequences of leaking sensitive information
Data leaks can have serious consequences for a company. They can generate significant financial losses due to regulatory sanctions, lawsuits or loss of customers. A data breach can damage a company’s reputation, leading to a loss of trust from customers and partners and affecting the organisation’s credibility. What’s more, if the leak involves sensitive data such as personal information, intellectual property or strategic documents, the company could face corporate espionage, identity theft or targeted attacks.
How to prevent data leaks in companies with TU Metashield
Data leaks can be avoided through prevention. Documents may contain metadata containing sensitive information which, if not properly managed, may be exposed. Metashield is the ideal solution for shielding companies against unintentional leaks.
This tool allows for the detection, analysis and processing of metadata, ensuring that no sensitive data is leaked when sharing files via email, intranets or other digital channels. Thanks to its powerful processing capacity and its ease of installation and use, Metashield guarantees the security of the organisation’s information. The Metashield for Outlook 365 version enhances security in the exchange of files by email, automatically eliminating hidden risks in the metadata of documents attached to the email.
With Metashield, companies can stay ahead of potential security breaches, comply with regulations and avoid accidental leaks that could lead to sanctions or loss of trust. Get in touch with us and protects your company against data leaks.
Graduado en Comunicación Audiovisual y en un máster en Dirección de Marketing, interesado en la innovación y en cómo conectar las marcas con las personas. Madrileño con tintes pamplonicas y seguidor del Atlético de Madrid. Actualmente aprendo en el equipo de marketing de Telefónica Innovación Digital.
