Web Analytics

FireOak Strategies Blog

Insights and articles related to knowledge management, information security, technology, data and analytics, business process automation, platform management, and other related topics, from our experienced team of consultants.

< Back to FireOak Blog

Data Loss Prevention Best Practices

FireOak’s recommended practices for data loss prevention.

Abby Clobridge is the founder of FireOak Strategies. She works with organizations around the world to support knowledge sharing -- including open access, open data, information security -- to connect people to the data, information, and knowledge they need. You can reach Abby at [email protected]


Within many organizations, most confidential data is stored in an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system such as Salesforce, WorkDay, or SAP. Since these systems have solid technical and security controls built-in, executives often have a false sense of security, and they trust that their digital assets, confidential data, and intellectual property are all properly protected.

As a result, when we’re working with clients, we recommend the following best practices for proactive data loss prevention:

  • Run Data Loss Prevention (DLP) scans at least once a quarter.
  • Have a strong Information Governance policy in place, identifying who is allowed to export what types of data, for what reasons, and under what circumstances.
  • Have strong protections in place around how these types of exported files may be stored, shared, and used — for instance, can these files be stored on the hard drive of a laptop? Downloaded to a home computer? Stored on an iPad?
  • Make sure your IT support staff know what to do when a device containing confidential data is reported lost or stolen.

In addition, it is critical that organizations have clearly-identified roles, responsibilities, processes, and procedures in place around the data loss protection scans themselves. The information governance to define accountability, expectations, roles and responsibilities is the glue that holds together a program and helps translate good intentions into action.

Click to read more about Data Loss Prevention and Internal Scanning.

FireOak Strategies is a boutique consulting firm that helps organizations manage, secure, and share their knowledge. We bring clarity to complexity, look for elegant and simple solutions, and make sure that organizations are focused on solving the right problems. Learn more…

Manage, secure, and share your organizational knowledge


Browse articles by topic:


Read more articles:

More from the FireOak team about managing, securing, and sharing knowledge