Organizations face an increasingly complex landscape of internal threats, and a new solution from SearchInform aims to address this with its Risk Monitor platform. This next-generation data loss prevention (DLP) system focuses on mitigating a broad spectrum of risks, including data breaches, fraud, and even employee misconduct. Released this month, Risk Monitor is designed to consolidate multiple security functions into a single agent, offering comprehensive monitoring and proactive incident prevention.
SearchInform, a provider of information security solutions for over 15 years, developed Risk Monitor to move beyond traditional DLP, which often focuses solely on preventing the exfiltration of specific data types. The platform, available globally, targets not only accidental or malicious data leaks but also internal activities that can harm an organization’s operations and reputation. This includes identifying and addressing issues like unproductive behavior, sabotage attempts, and violations of company policy.
The Evolution of Data Loss Prevention and the Rise of Risk Monitor
Traditional DLP systems have often been criticized for generating a high volume of false positives and being difficult to manage. These earlier generations typically relied on predefined rules and keyword matching, which could be easily circumvented or trigger alerts for legitimate activities. The increasing sophistication of internal threats and the shift towards remote work have highlighted the limitations of these approaches.
However, the need for robust internal security remains critical. According to Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report, insider threats are involved in approximately 39% of all data breaches. This underscores the importance of solutions that can detect and prevent a wider range of malicious and negligent behaviors.
Addressing a Wider Threat Surface
Risk Monitor distinguishes itself by employing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance security policies and improve accuracy. The system learns normal employee behavior and identifies anomalies that could indicate a potential risk. This AI-driven approach reduces false positives and allows security teams to focus on genuine threats.
The platform’s capabilities extend beyond simply blocking data transfers. It includes features for advanced analytics, allowing organizations to identify patterns of risky behavior and proactively address vulnerabilities. Additionally, integrated e-forensics tools facilitate thorough investigations of security incidents, helping to determine the root cause and prevent future occurrences.
Consolidation and Simplification
A key benefit of Risk Monitor is its single-agent architecture. Many organizations rely on a patchwork of security tools – DLP, user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA), security information and event management (SIEM) systems – which can be complex to integrate and manage. SearchInform claims Risk Monitor unifies these functions, streamlining security operations and reducing administrative overhead.
This consolidation is particularly appealing to organizations with limited IT resources. By providing a single platform for managing internal risks, Risk Monitor aims to simplify security and improve overall effectiveness. The platform also automates sensitive data discovery and classification, a traditionally manual and time-consuming process.
The system’s digital watermarking feature adds another layer of security by embedding invisible identifiers into sensitive documents. This allows organizations to trace the origin of leaked data and hold individuals accountable. Access rights management is also integrated, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access confidential information.
The platform supports monitoring of all major data transmission channels, including email, web applications, cloud storage, and removable media. This comprehensive coverage ensures that data is protected regardless of how it is accessed or shared. It’s designed to work across various operating systems and infrastructure configurations.
While many DLP solutions focus on data *at rest* or *in motion*, Risk Monitor emphasizes monitoring data *in use*. This means analyzing what employees are doing with sensitive information while they are working, providing a more proactive approach to threat detection. This capability is becoming increasingly important as more work is done on endpoint devices.
The market for internal threat management solutions is expected to continue growing as organizations grapple with the challenges of remote work, cloud adoption, and increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. Analysts at Gartner predict a significant increase in spending on security and risk management technologies in the coming years.
The effectiveness of any DLP system, including Risk Monitor, depends on proper configuration and ongoing maintenance. Organizations must carefully define their sensitive data, establish appropriate security policies, and regularly review and update the system to ensure it remains effective against evolving threats. Successful implementation also requires employee training and awareness programs.
SearchInform has not publicly disclosed specific pricing details for Risk Monitor. The cost will likely vary depending on the size of the organization, the number of users, and the specific features required. Potential customers are encouraged to contact SearchInform directly for a customized quote.
Looking ahead, SearchInform plans to continue enhancing Risk Monitor with new features and capabilities. A key area of focus is improving the AI algorithms to further reduce false positives and enhance threat detection accuracy. The company also intends to expand the platform’s integration with other security tools and platforms. The next major update is anticipated by the end of the year, with a focus on improved cloud security monitoring.
The long-term success of Risk Monitor will depend on its ability to deliver on its promises of comprehensive protection, simplified management, and reduced costs. Industry observers will be watching to see how the platform performs in real-world deployments and how it compares to competing data security solutions.
