Design a DLP policy

Once you have a clear plan in place, it’s time to design your policies. The design process involves translating your business needs into specific configurations.

1. Create a policy intent statement Each DLP policy should start with a clear intent. A policy intent statement outlines the purpose of the policy, the types of data it protects, and the actions it should take. For example:“This policy protects financial data stored in SharePoint and prevents it from being shared with external users.”
2. Map business needs to policy configuration: After defining the intent, map your needs to specific DLP configurations. Key decisions include:
   • What to monitor: Specify the type of sensitive information, such as financial or personal data.
   • Where to monitor: Identify which services and devices the policy applies to like SharePoint, Teams, or endpoints.
   • Conditions for the policy: Define what triggers the policy. Examples include sharing data externally or accessing data from an unmanaged device.
   • Actions to take: Decide what happens when the policy is triggered, such as blocking the sharing of information, notifying the user, or sending an alert to administrators.
3. Simulate policies before full enforcement: It’s best to simulate DLP policies before fully enforcing them. Simulation mode allows you to see how the policies would work without actually blocking or notifying users. This gives you time to fine-tune the rules and prevent disruptions. Once you’re confident in the results, move to full enforcement.

Best practices for successful DLP policy design

• Start small: Begin with policies that cover critical data and locations. This reduces the risk of over-blocking and allows for gradual fine-tuning.
• Educate users: Use DLP notifications and policy tips to inform users about compliance requirements and risky behaviors. This can reduce false positives and improve policy effectiveness.
• Regularly review and update policies: As your organization grows or regulations change, your DLP policies might need updates. Regular reviews help ensure ongoing compliance and effectiveness.