Pharmaceuticals lead the list of the highest average data breach costs, according to IBM’s report.1 Pharma companies need to protect their sensitive data using DLP software.
Based on our DLP review benchmark of top 6 DLP products across 4 dimensions, here are the top software and best practices for DLP pharma:
1. Leverage DLP software
Pharma companies must implement a robust data loss prevention (DLP) solution tailored for sensitive pharmaceutical data. This includes DLP tools that monitor, detect, and block unauthorized access throughout the drug development lifecycle-from research and clinical trials to manufacturing.
Here is a table comparing the top 5 DLP software with pharma-specific criteria:
| Vendor | Pharma Data Classification Types* |
|---|---|
Patented drugs |
|
Sophos Intercept X | Medical records |
Acronis Cyber Protect | EHR |
ManageEngine Endpoint DLP Plus | Patented drugs |
Teramind DLP | Employee records |
*All of them support PHI. (PHI: Protected Health Information)
EHR: Electronic Health Records
Sorting: The vendors are sorting according to their performance level and the number of pharma data types. The sponsored vendor is linked at the top.
For a detailed comparison of the top 12 DLP software on the market.
Pharma DLP case study2 :
Aspire Pharmaceuticals sought to enhance its data security by implementing a DLP solution that provided detailed control over user access and closely monitored data transfers.
The company needed a cost-effective method that could quickly adapt to policy changes while offering granular control over data protection. The implementation successfully provided intuitive, efficient monitoring of sensitive information, ensuring compliance and safeguarding against insider threats.
2. Educate employees on data security
Given the high stakes of pharmaceutical data, educating employees on sector-specific data security practices is crucial. Key areas of focus should include:
- Risks of unauthorized systems: Train employees on the dangers of manually entering sensitive data, such as patient information or clinical trial results, into unauthorized systems.
- Preventing data leaks: Emphasize the importance of avoiding the storage of sensitive data in unapproved or unknown locations.
- Ongoing education: Regularly update training to ensure employees are aware of the unique data protection needs within the pharmaceutical industry.
Some pharma-specific training platforms:
| Platform | Regulation Compliance |
|---|---|
Pharma Data Protection | EU GDPR |
IG Smart – Data Privacy Training for Pharma | GDPR |
3. Implement data protection policies for clinical research and patent filings
Develop and enforce comprehensive data protection policies to secure sensitive information in clinical research and patent filings. These policies should include:
- Encryption of sensitive data: Ensure that all research and patent-related data is encrypted both at rest and in transit to prevent unauthorized access.
- Access control measures: Limit access to sensitive data to only those who need it for their work, using role-based access controls.
- Regular audits: Conduct periodic audits to ensure compliance with data protection policies and identify potential vulnerabilities.
4. Employ big data analytics for clinical and manufacturing data
Utilizing big data analytics techniques can help pharmaceutical companies detect patterns and anomalies indicative of data security threats within clinical and manufacturing data.
These techniques can analyze vast quantities of data to identify unusual activities, such as unauthorized access or transfer attempts of research data or manufacturing process details. You can:
- Implement real-time monitoring tools.
- Set up automated alerts and responses.
- Regularly update analytics models and train security teams.
5. Restrict physical access to pharmaceutical data
Pharmaceutical companies should limit physical access to locations where sensitive data is stored, such as:
- Research laboratories
- Data centers
- Manufacturing facilities.
You can also consider implementing access control measures, such as mandatory access control (MAC), biometric authentication, and security badges, to help prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing protected sensitive data. Ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to these critical areas mitigates the risk of data theft originating from physical breaches.
6. Secure storage and file sharing for pharma research
Pharmaceutical companies should ensure the security of cloud storage and file-sharing systems used for research and collaboration. Key actions include:
- Data encryption: Encrypt all data before uploading to cloud platforms to safeguard against unauthorized access.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Implement MFA for all users accessing cloud storage or file-sharing tools to add an extra layer of security.
- Secure collaboration platforms: Use platforms that offer end-to-end encryption and comply with industry standards.
FAQs
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What is DLP in pharma?
DLP (Data Loss Prevention) in pharma refers to a set of technologies and practices designed to protect sensitive pharmaceutical data, including confidential health data, clinical research, and manufacturing processes, from unauthorized access, data theft, or accidental leaks. DLP solutions implement robust data protection safeguards to allow pharmaceutical companies to securely process, store, and transfer sensitive data while complying with data protection laws. By tackling internal threats, such as employees accidentally sending or manually inserting sensitive data to the wrong recipients, DLP tools help prevent data exfiltration and ensure the security of data stored locally or in cloud environments.
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What is DLP?
DLP (Data Loss Prevention) is a security strategy that protects sensitive data from unauthorized access, theft, or accidental leaks. In the pharmaceutical industry, DLP safeguards confidential data throughout research and manufacturing processes, ensuring compliance with data protection laws and preventing data exfiltration or internal threats like accidental data leaks.
Further reading
- 12+ Best Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Software
- 14 Data Loss Prevention or DLP Best Practices
- LLM DLP Guide: 12 Best Practices & Techniques
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