Data Loss Prevention (DLP) refers to a set of strategies, tools, and practices designed to ensure that sensitive or critical data is not lost, misused, or accessed by unauthorized individuals. It focuses on preventing data breaches, accidental data loss, and unauthorized data access.

In practice, DLP can be implemented through software solutions that integrate with an organization’s IT infrastructure, including email systems, network traffic, endpoints, and cloud services. These solutions use various techniques, such as content inspection, contextual analysis, and user behavior monitoring, to protect data.