Securing the Digital Vault: Enterprise Data Loss Prevention (DLP) in the Age of GDPR and NDPR

Abstract

The rapid expansion of data-intensive enterprise environments has intensified the risk of unauthorized data disclosure, making Data Loss Prevention (DLP) a critical component of modern security and compliance strategies. This study examines enterprise DLP systems within the context of contemporary data protection regulations, focusing on their effectiveness, governance integration, and alignment with regulatory obligations. Using a structured analytical framework, the research evaluates DLP performance across different data states, deployment models, and organizational contexts, highlighting strengths, limitations, and maturity-dependent outcomes. The findings reveal that while DLP technologies are highly effective in enforcing confidentiality and preventing data exfiltration, gaps persist in operationalizing regulatory principles such as data minimization, accountability, and lawful processing. The study further demonstrates that governance-integrated and hybrid DLP architectures deliver superior scalability, reduced administrative burden, and stronger security culture compared to isolated or rule-heavy deployments. By linking technical enforcement mechanisms with enterprise risk management and compliance structures, the research reframes DLP as a strategic governance instrument rather than a standalone security control. The study contributes a compliance-driven evaluation perspective that informs managerial decision making, regulatory policy development, and future research on adaptive, context-aware DLP systems in complex enterprise environments.