Data loss training generally comes in one of three types, depending on who is being trained and what their role is in your organization. Typically, data loss prevention solutions enforce your DLP policies by tracking data and monitoring network or endpoint activities, as well as SaaS and collaboration activities.

1. Network DLP

Network-focused data loss prevention tools track data as it moves through your network, including moving into and out of your servers. Most network DLP tools are enhanced with ML or AI features that detect data traffic anomalies. 

2. Endpoint DLP

Endpoint-focused DLP looks at your organization's computers, mobile devices, servers, and anything else that takes data from or puts it on your network. Mostly, these solutions reside on the endpoint devices themselves and prevent prohibited actions from being taken by users, like copying sensitive files to USB drives or enabling Bluetooth file transfers.

3. Cloud DLP

Cloud-focused DLP tools look at the data stored “in the cloud” on off-site servers or SaaS platforms such as O365, Salesforce, or NetSuite. Most have data visibility features such as dashboards and tables that summarize how data is being shared or handled.  Some solutions can also integrate with platforms such as Microsoft’s Information Protection and ensure encryption and sharing policies are being applied correctly. Cloud DLP can also be configured to limit access to critical data for some or all users based on advanced criteria. 

It’s not at all uncommon to see all three types of DLP operating in the same organization for total coverage.

Data loss prevention training teaches your employees, leadership, and other authorized users how to avoid unwanted data loss, both accidental and malicious. These courses look at data breaches, the danger of non-compliance, and how to spot, prevent, and minimize insider attacks. Investing in training of this kind helps you protect your data, your customers, and your partner organizations. It also has a good ROI in most use cases. Our DLP training is a great example.

There are three stages in the data lifecycle, and each stage must be protected differently:

1. Data at rest: This phase typically involves host encryption, endpoint and mobile device security, network storage protection, safe disposal of unneeded data, and protection from committing data to uncontrolled physical media.

2. Data in transit: This phase includes making sure unencrypted information never leaves your digital premises. It looks for threats and monitors data movements. It locks your users away from unauthorized internet access on company machines, secures messaging and file transfer, and verifies third-party exchanges. 

3. Data in use: The final phase of DLP monitors the users who are meant to have access to sensitive data. It tracks critical data as well, no matter who is accessing it. It may, depending on need, anonymize sensitive data for use as well.

You don’t need to turn your employees into cybersecurity experts to benefit from data loss prevention training. That’s where a trusted provider comes in. Instead of asking IT or HR teams to design and deliver complex programs, Huntress SAT does the heavy work for you by focusing on the skills that matter most for your team. This is how we can help:

Understanding data handling rules

Teach employees which data is sensitive and how to manage it. This is a foundation of data loss prevention training. Organizations will typically draft a data classification policy to effectively communicate data handling policies.

Sharing examples of common mistakes

Have a plan to highlight data loss danger points, like emailing sensitive files or saving data to USBs, or putting sensitive information into AI services such as ChatGPT or Gemini. 

Spotting suspicious behavior

Train employees to recognize the signs of data exfiltration or insider sabotage. This can be one of the most engaging parts of data loss prevention training. Lean into that. 

Instilling preventative habits

Encourage employees to build strong data-handling habits, especially as gen AI becomes part of everyday workflows. Training should cover what types of data can and can’t be entered into AI tools, how to align AI use with your company’s data classification policies, and the risks of exposing sensitive info to third-party platforms. By leaning into AI data governance, organizations can prevent one of today’s fastest-growing sources of accidental data loss. 

Huntress Security Awareness Training (SAT) helps reduce risky behaviors in your users and makes sure they know how to handle sensitive information with security and compliance. 

Want to give Huntress SAT a try? Get in touch and keep your data in the right hands.