What is the main function of a Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solution?

A Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solution primarily focuses on monitoring and protecting sensitive data to prevent unauthorized sharing or loss. Its main function is to identify and safeguard critical information, such as personally identifiable information (PII) or confidential organizational data, to ensure it does not get shared inappropriately, whether accidentally or maliciously. DLP systems enforce policies that help control how sensitive data is accessed or transmitted, thus minimizing the risk of data breaches.

While encryption, data backup, and redundancy removal are important aspects of overall data management and security, they do not specifically address the proactive prevention of data loss through monitoring and controlling data flow. DLP specifically targets the behavior associated with using and sharing sensitive data, which is why monitoring and protecting that data is the core function of such solutions.