Written by Luke Youle – DLP Team Lead at Gradian

Symantec’s Data Loss Prevention (DLP) software has long been a cornerstone in safeguarding organisational data. The release of DLP 16.1 introduces a suite of enhancements that will allow us to really refine customer’s data protection strategies and provide more tangible value.

Here’s a closer look at the new features and some thoughts on why they matter whether you’re a Symantec DLP customer or not.

Source Code Classification

The new Source Code Classification feature allows organisations to precisely identify and shield their sensitive source code. This level of granularity means that organisation’s critical codebases are protected from unauthorised access and misuse, ensuring that intellectual property remains secure. It’s a significant leap forward in creating more tailored and effective DLP policies, and in our opinion marks a decisive step in the fight against intellectual property theft.

Personal Email Detection

Obviously, the digital workplace blurs the lines between personal and professional boundaries. The new Personal Email Detection feature addresses this challenge by preventing unauthorised transmission of sensitive data via personal email. Implementing granular policies to control data flow allows organisations to significantly mitigate the risk of data breaches.

New Response Rule Conditions & Reusable Keyword List 

Whenever we work with a customer to improve their DLP policy, efficiency and simplicity are cornerstones of delivery. The new response rule conditions and reusable keyword lists allow us to streamline policy management further. By automating responses and reducing the time needed to create and maintain DLP policies, we can leverage new developments like this to help security teams be free to focus on more strategic initiatives.

Purview IP Classification Extended to Data at Rest

Data at rest is sometimes overlooked in data protection strategies, yet it remains vulnerable to unauthorised access and breaches. The integration with Microsoft Purview IP for data at rest classification ensures that we can work to adequately protect this data. This deeper integration lets us create robust DLP policies that align with an organisation’s overall security goals. The result is a comprehensive and effective data protection strategy that covers all bases, ensuring that data is secure whether it’s in transit or at rest.

Conclusion

DLP 16.1 should not just be looked at as an upgrade; it’s a transformative tool that empowers us to help organisations take control of their data protection strategy. We can better define sensitive data, implement granular security policies, and streamline management processes. This update coupled with our policy and end to end DLP expertise paves the way for a more secure digital environment. These enhancements are not just welcome—they’re essential. They allow us to continue to deliver some real business value in the data protection space, ensuring that organisations can safeguard their most valuable assets in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

Partner with us and let’s create a secure future for your data together.  Claim your FREE workshop or get in touch to see how else we can help you.