Data leaks are among the biggest threats to organizations today, regardless of their size or industry. Significantly, they are increasingly not the result of sophisticated external attacks, but the everyday actions of employees – sending files, working in the cloud or using private devices. The traditional approach to security, based on blocking access and restrictive prohibitions, often leads to user frustration and circumvention. Modern data protection must therefore answer a key question: how to prevent information leaks without hindering teams’ work.
Key findings
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Most data leaks originate inside the organization
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Excessive blockages lead to a decrease in work efficiency
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Data protection should take into account the context and behavior of the user
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It is crucial to distinguish risky activities from normal work
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Modern approach combines safety with user convenience
Table of contents
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Why data leaks occur in companies
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The most common sources of uncontrolled outflow of information
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Why blocking users doesn’t work
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How to protect data without hindering work
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The role of context and user behavior
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Frequently asked questions
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Summary
Why data leaks occur in companies
Contrary to popular belief, data leaks are rarely the result of deliberate action by employees. Most often, they are the result of haste, lack of awareness or a desire to complete a task quickly. Sending a file to a private mailbox, saving a document to an unauthorized cloud or sharing data with the wrong person are situations that happen every day.
The problem, then, is not the users’ work itself, but the lack of control over how the data is used.
The most common sources of uncontrolled outflow of information
The most common sources of leaks include email, cloud applications, external media and web browsers. In hybrid work environments, data often leaves the corporate infrastructure and organizations lose visibility over it. Under such conditions, classic network security cannot effectively protect information.
Particularly risky are situations in which users use multiple tools at the same time, without clear rules on data processing.
Why blocking users doesn’t work
Restrictive approaches to security, such as blocking applications, websites or file transfer capabilities, often have the opposite effect. Users seek workarounds, use private devices or unauthorized tools, further increasing the risk of data leakage.
Instead of restricting access, organizations should focus on understanding how data is used in day-to-day operations.
How to protect data without hindering work
Effective data protection should be based on monitoring and analyzing user activities in the context of their role, location and the type of information being processed. It is crucial to distinguish between business-justified activities and behavior that actually poses a risk.
Solutions offered by Forcepoint focus on protecting data by analyzing context and user behavior, instead of using rigid locks. This approach allows us to react only when there is a real threat of information leakage.
The role of context and user behavior
Modern data protection systems take into account not only the mere fact of transferring information, but also the circumstances under which it happens. The action of an employee carrying out his or her duties is evaluated differently from an attempt to copy data en masse outside the organization.
Context analysis can significantly reduce false alarms and focus on real threats.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to completely eliminate the risk of data leakage?
No, but they can be significantly reduced with the right protection strategy.
Does data protection always require restrictions on users?
No, the modern approach allows you to protect your data without blocking your work.
Will such solutions work well in hybrid work?
Yes, they are designed with distributed environments in mind.
Summary
Preventing data leaks doesn’t have to mean blocking users and hampering daily operations. Effective information protection today is based on understanding context, user behavior and real business needs. This allows organizations to protect their data while keeping their teams flexible and highly productive.
