In 2024, Google marked a cybersecurity milestone by detecting 26 critical vulnerabilities in the OpenSSL library, key to encrypting internet communications, using only artificial intelligence. These flaws, present for two decades, jeopardized the security of banking transactions and emails, as reported by Infobae. Given this situation, data protection and web security become fundamental to safeguarding the information of both individuals and organizations.
Just as Google detected these threats, businesses can also fall victim to cyberattacks, such as malware and data theft. Data protection and web traffic security are essential to prevent risks. Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions enable the establishment of effective controls to prevent leaks of confidential information. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 60% of companies have experienced data breaches due to deficiencies in the security of their digital platforms.
Data protection and security policy hierarchy
DLP solutions are implemented through agents installed on corporate devices, which apply pre-configured policies from a centralized management console. These policies operate through a hierarchical structure that allows:
Block unauthorized web traffic : Restrict access to social media on corporate devices to minimize distractions and prevent potential information leaks.
Avoid downloading malicious software : Prevent the downloading of files from unverified websites or unknown sources to reduce the risk of malware.
Restrict the uploading of confidential files to unsecured platforms : Block the uploading of databases with sensitive information to personal emails or unauthorized storage services.
According to the Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre at Oxford University, the use of advanced tools to filter web traffic can reduce attempts to steal information by 80%.
Regulatory compliance for data protection
When a document or database contains sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, the system prevents this data from being emailed or uploaded to non-corporate storage devices. According to the PCI Security Standards Council , more than 50% of data breaches in 2023 involved payment information that was not adequately protected.
In addition to controlling web traffic, some security solutions include a repository of applications categorized according to their risk level. These categorizations are established through a risk scoring system, which evaluates the security of each application based on different criteria:
- Low risk: 0-49 points
- Medium risk: 50-89 points
- High risk: 90-100 points
If an application presents a high level of risk, restrictions can be set to control access. For example, if Facebook has a risk score of 64%, it can be configured to block its use in corporate environments. According to a Gartner study, 70% of companies that implement risk-based access controls have managed to reduce security incidents by 50%.
Furthermore, the ability to apply advanced filters to web traffic allows for more precise management of accessible content. For example, YouTube can be restricted to educational content only, blocking access to categories such as music or entertainment. This ensures greater control over the use of digital resources in corporate environments.
Web security infrastructure
The location of traffic verification centers is a critical factor in web security performance. In many cases, data is routed to international data centers, which can lead to higher latency. However, when inspection services are located within the same country, such as in Colombia, latency is significantly reduced, improving the user experience.
Security solutions that integrate DLP, web traffic control, and application risk assessment help organizations maintain a secure digital environment, comply with international regulations, and optimize threat response. Implementing these technologies not only reduces risks but also increases operational efficiency and safeguards sensitive company information.