Where should the DLP (Data Leakage Prevention) engine be installed in a DIU (Data in use) topology of the data lifecycle?

In a Data in Use (DIU) topology, the Data Leakage Prevention (DLP) engine is most effectively installed on a user's workstation and endpoint devices. This positioning allows the DLP engine to monitor and control the data as it is actively being used or manipulated by individual users. By implementing DLP at the endpoint level, organizations can enforce policies that prevent the unauthorized transfer of sensitive information while users access and interact with the data.

This approach is crucial because data in use represents a vulnerable state where it can be inadvertently shared or intentionally leaked through various means, such as email, copying to external drives, or transferring to cloud applications. By having the DLP engine installed on the workstations and devices used by employees, it can provide real-time protection and alerts in response to potential data leakage incidents, ensuring that sensitive data remains secure during active usage.

Other locations, such as file servers, gateways, or application servers, might be suitable for DLP implementations but do not directly protect data while it is being actively used by an individual. These placements are typically more focused on monitoring data at rest or in transit rather than managing the direct interactions users have with the data.