Architecting Data for the AI Era
December 15, 2025
A Deep Dive into Trellix Data Security
December 30, 2025The 2026 Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Essential List: 10 Must-Have Elements for the Public Sector
As we enter 2026, the landscape of public sector cybersecurity continues to focus on protecting data. Driven by the impacts of data breaches (incidental or malicious) and the rapid expansion of AI, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a critical element of a mature, and Zero Trust-compliant security posture.
We at FRC have helped over 25 government customers mature their DLP capabilities in 2025. Based on our experience, as agencies and organizations mature their Data Loss Prevention capabilities in 2026, here are the top 10 elements your DLP solution must provide in 2026, powered by the Trellix Data Security ecosystem.
10 Must-Have Elements for DLP in 2026
1) Automated Data Discovery and Cataloging
You cannot protect what you cannot find. In 2026, manual inventory is a liability.
- The Trellix Solution: Trellix DLP Discover provides unprecedented visibility across networks and file repositories to find and classify sensitive and proprietary data.
- Key Capability: Use auto-classification to identify data at rest and build a comprehensive data catalog.
2) Dedicated AI Data Risk Dashboards
The “accidental insider” threat has evolved, specifically through the use of Large Language Models (LLMs).
- The Trellix Solution: The new AI Data Risk Dashboard (released Dec 2025) provides a real-time, centralized view into potential sensitive data exposure through common AI leak vectors like web browsers.
- Key Capability: Pinpoint where sensitive data is leaving the organization and take immediate action in one convenient location.
3) Advanced Visual Labeling and Tagging
The Department of War Zero Trust Architecture mandates that data be properly tagged to enable machine-enforceable access controls.
- The Trellix Solution: Trellix DLP Endpoint introduces Advanced Visual Labeling for Microsoft Office and Outlook.
- Key Capability: Utilize dual-classification labels and customized border styling to improve the administrative and user experience.
4) Seamless Browser Inspection
DLP must move beyond simple plugins to ensure data isn’t leaked during browser-based work.
- The Trellix Solution: The Seamless Web Content Inspection API now extends deep inspection capabilities to Microsoft Edge for Business, Mozilla Firefox, and Island browsers.
- Key Capability: Monitor or block file uploads and “copy/paste” actions across all major enterprise browsers.
5) Unified “Single Pane of Glass” Management
Managing endpoint, network, and cloud DLP in silos creates security gaps.
- The Trellix Solution: Trellix ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) provides centralized management for policy administration, event detection, and reporting.
- Key Capability: Manage on-premises, hybrid, and SaaS deployments from a single security operations console.
6) Comprehensive Encryption Integration
DLP and encryption must work in tandem to ensure that exfiltrated data remains unreadable to adversaries.
- The Trellix Solution: Trellix Data Encryption (including Drive Encryption and File & Removable Media Protection) protects information wherever it resides.
- Key Capability: Automatically manage encryption keys and rotate them through
7) Native IPv6 Support
To comply with federal modernization mandates, your security stack must be “future-proof”.
- The Trellix Solution: The December 2025 release of Trellix DLP Endpoint and Discover includes full IPv6 support.
- Key Capability: Comply with federal mandates by supporting IPv4, IPv6, and dual-stack configurations.
8) Insider Threat Behavioral Analytics
Entities with access to sensitive data can leak or steal it, intentionally or unintentionally.
- The Trellix Solution: Trellix DLP integrates with SIEM and SOAR tools to manage incidents effectively from end to end.
- Key Capability: Feed logs and analytics from monitoring solutions into the SIEM to better inform decision-making and identify anomalous patterns.
9) Out-of-the-Box Compliance Mapping
Automating the “audit trail” is essential for sustainable regulatory compliance.
- The Trellix Solution: Trellix provides out-of-the-box policies and reports that map to common compliance frameworks.
- Key Capability: Simplify audits for HIPAA, PII, and financial reporting standards.
10) Database Security and Virtual Patching
The Data Pillar includes securing structured data in databases against unauthorized access or corruption.
- The Trellix Solution: Trellix Database Security offers activity monitoring, vulnerability management, and Virtual Patching.
- Key Capability: Protect databases from known and unknown vulnerabilities without requiring downtime.
Download our paper on achieving all Department of War Target Level Data Pillar Activities.
Learn more about this and all 91 Target Level Zero Trust Activities at our page: Zero Trust Activities – Building a Modern Cybersecurity Posture.
