Netskope Global Technical Success (GTS)
Netskope DLP – Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide
Netskope Cloud Version - 127
Introduction
This article provides a high-level overview of how Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is configured and enforced in the Netskope platform. It is designed for administrators and security professionals who are implementing Netskope DLP for the first time or need a structured refresher.
Netskope’s DLP framework is modular — built from several dependent components that must be configured in the correct sequence. This guide outlines those components, their roles, and the logical flow of implementation.
Key Components of Netskope DLP
The DLP framework in Netskope consists of the following core building blocks:
| Component | Description |
| Entities | Define the actual content to detect (e.g., credit card numbers, project names, customer data) |
| DLP Rules | Contain detection logic using Entities and scanning behavior |
| DLP Profiles | Group one or more DLP Rules and define file scanning filters |
| DLP Policies | Apply DLP Profiles to users, apps, or locations and define actions like Alert, Block, or Coach |
End-to-End Flow: How a DLP Policy is Built
Below is the step-by-step logical flow for implementing DLP in Netskope:
- Create DLP Entities
Define what sensitive data you want to detect using Dictionaries, Data Identifiers, or Exact Match datasets.
- Build DLP Rules
Create detection logic that references one or more Entities and includes match conditions, content inspection scope, severity levels, and advanced criteria.
- Configure DLP Profiles
Group your Rules into a Profile. Define File Profiles to specify which file types (e.g., PDFs, Office docs) should be inspected.
- Apply DLP Policies
Use DLP Policies to enforce the Profile on specific applications or network locations. Define the response action: Alert, Block, or other options.
- Monitor and Optimize
Use Netskope's DLP reports to monitor policy activity, review alerts, and refine detection logic or enforcement actions as needed.
Related Articles
The following in-depth guides provide detailed instructions and examples for each stage in the DLP configuration process:
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Best Practices
- Start with Alert mode during initial rollout to understand impact before blocking.
- Use Custom Dictionaries for company-specific data not covered by predefined identifiers.
- Use File Profiles to reduce noise and improve performance by targeting only relevant file types.
- Monitor incidents regularly and iterate policies based on real-world data.
Conclusion
Implementing Netskope DLP effectively involves more than just enabling a policy. It requires a structured approach to defining what sensitive data looks like, how it is detected, and where to enforce controls.
By following this structured workflow and using the in-depth guides linked above, your organization can build a scalable and accurate DLP program tailored to its specific risk landscape.
Terms and Conditions
- All documented information undergoes testing and verification to ensure accuracy.
- In the future, it is possible that the application's functionality may be altered by the vendor. If any such changes are brought to our attention, we will promptly update the documentation to reflect them.
Notes
- This article is authored by Netskope Global Technical Success (GTS).
- For any further inquiries related to this article, please contact Netskope GTS by submitting a support case with 'Case Type – How To Questions'.
