Can Data Loss Prevention detect sensitive data in an image file?

Products

• Data Loss Prevention Endpoint Prevent
• Data Loss Prevention Network Monitor
• Data Loss Prevention Network Prevent for Email
• Data Loss Prevention Network Prevent for Web
• Data Loss Prevention Network Protect
• Data Loss Prevention Endpoint Discover

Issue/Introduction

Can Data Loss Prevention (DLP) detect sensitive data in an image file?

For example, a user sends an email with a picture of a Driver's License, SSN card, or Credit Card attached. Is DLP able to detect the picture is an image of sensitive data?

Resolution

This type of detection is based on a technology called Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and was added to DLP version 15.0. A separate license is needed to use OCR with Symantec DLP. The following KB lists the system requirements for using OCR. Additional information is also available in the chapter entitled "Detecting Content using
OCR - Sensitive Image Recognition" in the DLP Administration Guides published from 15.0 onward:

https://support.symantec.com/en_US/article.DOC10612.html

 

Previously, in DLP 14.5, there was also an OCR related option called "Form Recognition".

http://www.symantec.com/docs/DOC9261

 

"Form Recognition" is covered in chapters entitled "Detecting content using Form Recognition", in guides published from 14.5 onward. In 15.0 and later, it's also referred to as a form of "Sensitive Image Recognition".

 

Form Recognition provides the ability to detect forms that contain sensitive

information, such as tax forms, medical forms, insurance forms, and so on.

Form Recognition detects form images in a variety of image formats, including the

following:

■ PDF (version 1.2 and later only)

■ PDF that use AcroForms format

■ JPEG (.jpg, .jpeg)

■ PNG

■ TIFF (single page or multi-page, .tif or .tiff)

■ Bitmap (.bmp, .dib)

 

Additional information: About sizing and performance for Form Recognition in Symantec Data Loss Prevention - http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH235074.