What is our primary use case?
Symantec Data Loss Prevention is completely designed for the enterprise area because it enables great segmentation. For example, if you have four branches in different cities of Turkey, you can create different detection servers. You can create a detection server for the endpoint of location one, create a web detection server to detect all web data loss, and create all these servers for each location and user sets, computer sets.
The discover options are very different, and you can discover what's happening in your network and file servers. We had a case where a banking company not using Symantec Data Loss Prevention lost 500 customer information pieces and their personal credit notes through screenshots. A malicious actor created reports for different 500 people, not taking the PDF file of the personal report but instead taking first credit note page screenshots, stealing all data via screenshots. When this case occurred, I suggested there must be a detection method for images because Data Loss Prevention solutions must analyze the details of all images. Initially, Symantec created an OCR module, and they are now fully capable of searching what's inside images.
When discussing this with DLP customers, they asked about bank robbery scenarios involving credit notes and whether Symantec could detect this. I wrote this concern to product development at Symantec. Many engineers wrote to Symantec HQ about this issue, and subsequently, they added the feature.
What is most valuable?
Symantec Data Loss Prevention is completely designed for enterprise area, permitting extensive segmentation. You can create various detection servers for different locations, allowing organizations to tailor the DLP solution to each branch and user set. The detection capabilities extend into the network and file servers, enriching the discover options. Symantec's OCR module enhances image analysis, crucial for detecting data loss via screenshots, improving the overall security posture against data breaches.
Symantec Data Loss Prevention provides a centralized management console with an Enforce server, which is the management server. According to your license, you can create many servers. In one of the biggest banking companies, there were 22 detection servers in HQ for different email gateways, web gateways, file servers, and endpoint groups. In another banking company with about 4 or 5,000 users, they installed six servers, managing all DLP activities on just one Enforce server for each company.
Symantec is integrating all branches of DLP to the cloud side. If a company hosts their emails on the cloud, Symantec is capable of handling DLP processes of this email traffic. If their file servers are completely on cloud, Symantec can also discover all file server features working on the cloud. Symantec continues adding these features, and it works more effectively with each version.
What needs improvement?
A significant case highlighted an improvement need when a banking company lost 500 customer information pieces through screenshots. The data theft occurred through individual screenshots of credit note pages rather than taking complete PDF files. This incident led to the suggestion for implementing image detection methods, as Data Loss Prevention solutions needed to analyze image details. Symantec responded by creating an OCR module, enabling the capability to search within images.
The pricing structure remains an area for improvement. We lost a POC despite installing 2,000 endpoints because Symantec Data Loss Prevention is more expensive compared to other solutions. Although the competing product couldn't match all the best practices, the price difference influenced the final decision.
For how long have I used the solution?
I started working with DLP in 2011 at Comtera, a McAfee distributor. Since 2016, I have been working exclusively with Symantec Data Loss Prevention as my sole product.
How are customer service and support?
We are currently at Redington, one of two distributors in Turkey. In technical support, we have a lab environment for Symantec. When we open a case about our NFR license or installation, including demo installations, they respond quickly. We conduct sessions to solve problems for customers, and they also perform these processes. The support provided from both Symantec Turkey and distributor companies enables us to support customers and partners effectively. The support side of Symantec is commendable.
How would you rate customer service and support?
How was the initial setup?
The basic installation of Symantec Data Loss Prevention is efficient. Installing the database and Enforce server takes less than a day. For a configuration with five detection servers and one Enforce server, the complete setup takes only two days. However, in Symantec DLP education, it's emphasized that installation is only 10% of the DLP processes.
After installation, remediation studies, incident analysis, rule creation, and fine-tuning are necessary to receive true incidents. Initially, Symantec Data Loss Prevention generates thousands of incidents, but after fine-tuning and eliminating false positives, this number reduces to approximately 50 or 60.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing structure affected a POC deployment where we installed 2,000 endpoints. Despite being a successful POC, the client chose another product due to cost considerations. Symantec Data Loss Prevention is more expensive compared to competing solutions.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate Symantec's support as 8.5 out of 10. The Symantec Data Loss Prevention tool deserves a perfect 10 out of 10 rating. As technical professionals, we must be trusted advisors, and this trust must be earned. While not all Symantec products deserve top ratings, with their EDR solution potentially rating at six or five, the DLP solution truly merits the highest score.
Overall review rating: 10/10
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Other