PR.DS-5: Protections Against Data Leaks Are Implemented – A Practical Guide for Modern Security Teams

‎TL;DR

1. PR.DS-5 is about proactively stopping sensitive data from leaking.
2. It mandates using automated tools like DLP to classify, monitor, and protect data.
3. Aligns with frameworks like CSA’s CCM (DSP-10, DSP-17, UEM-11) and CIS v8 (Control 3.13).
4. Strac provides full-stack protection: SaaS, Cloud, Endpoint DLP.
5. You need both discovery and enforcement to be compliant and secure.

What is PR.DS-5 and Why Should You Care?

PR.DS-5 is a key sub-category of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) focused on Data Protection. It states:

"Protections against data leaks are implemented."

It sounds simple, but in practice, this means:

• Preventing unauthorized access, exfiltration, and sharing of sensitive data.
• Ensuring data remains within intended boundaries, both technically and legally.
• Implementing Data Loss Prevention (DLP) as the control mechanism.

This control maps directly to real-world business risks: accidental leaks over email, sensitive files shared via public Google Drive links, regulated data uploaded to Gen AI tools like ChatGPT, and beyond.

✨ PR.DS-5: The Role of Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Data Loss Prevention isn’t just a buzzword—it’s your front-line control against data leaks.

According to CIS Control 3.13:

"Implement a host-based DLP tool to identify all sensitive data stored, processed, or transmitted across enterprise assets (including cloud and remote providers)."

Strac's DLP covers this with:

• SaaS DLP: Gmail, O365, Slack, Zendesk, Asana, Salesforce, Jira, Google Drive, SharePoint, Dropbox, etc.
• Cloud DLP: AWS S3, RDS, DynamoDB, Redshift, Azure Blob, BigQuery, and more.
• Endpoint DLP: macOS, Windows, Linux – detecting file uploads, screenshots, AirDrop, USB transfers.

PR.DS-5: Mapping to Compliance: CSA CCM v4.0

Learn how to map PR. DS-5 requirements

✨ DSP-10: Sensitive Data Transfer

“Ensure any transfer of personal or sensitive data is protected from unauthorized access.”

✅ With Strac:

• Block sensitive data uploads to ChatGPT, Dropbox, Slack.
• Alert on files shared externally in Google Drive/SharePoint.
• Restrict sensitive file downloads to only authorized users.

✨ DSP-17: Sensitive Data Protection

“Protect sensitive data throughout its lifecycle.”

✅ With Strac:

• Classify PII/PHI/PCI using ML, regex, context.
• Mask, redact, or alert on risky exposure.
• Maintain audit logs of access and remediation.

✨ UEM-11: Endpoint DLP

“Configure endpoints with DLP tools to monitor and prevent leaks.”

✅ With Strac Endpoint DLP:

• Block sensitive file uploads via browsers or AirDrop.
• Alert on screenshots of regulated content.
• Integrate with ZScaler/GlobalProtect proxies for inline enforcement.

📽️ PR.DS-5: Real-World Examples

1. Email DLP for O365 & Gmail‍
   1. Automatically redacts SSNs, credit cards, and PHI in outbound emails.
   2. Detects and logs sensitive attachments.
   3. Embeds real-time alerts for SOC teams.‍
2. Slack DLP‍
   1. Blocks sensitive messages and file uploads in channels.
   2. Detects PII/PHI/financial data in real-time.‍
3. S3 / RDS Scanning‍
   1. Auto-discovers sensitive data.
   2. Tracks user access and risk.
   3. Supports masking, redaction, and deletion.

✨ How to Get Started with PR.DS-5 Compliance

Step 1: Inventory Your Data

• Use Strac DSPM to scan SaaS, Cloud, and Databases.
• Classify PII, PHI, PCI, and secrets.

Step 2: Define Protection Policies

• Use Strac’s policy engine to block, redact, alert, or mask.
• Create rules based on sensitivity, file type, user group, etc.

Step 3: Enable Monitoring & Alerts

• Real-time alerts for external file sharing, Slack messages, Gen AI uploads.

Step 4: Evaluate & Report

• Use Strac dashboards for reporting, compliance audits, and remediation history.

🧠 Spicy FAQs on PR.DS-5 & DLP

What’s the difference between DSPM and DLP?

DSPM discovers/classifies sensitive data. DLP enforces protections on that data. Strac offers both in one platform.

Do I need Endpoint DLP if I already use Cloud/SaaS DLP?

Yes. Endpoint DLP prevents sensitive data from leaving the device via uploads, screenshots, or AirDrop—even before it hits the cloud.

How does Strac help with CIS Control 3.13?

Strac identifies and protects sensitive data in SaaS, Cloud, and Endpoint environments. It auto-updates your data inventory and stops leaks in real time.

What laws does PR.DS-5 help with?

HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, PCI-DSS, GLBA, and other data protection regulations.

Can I do PR.DS-5 manually?

Partially. You can set up access controls and train employees, but real-time visibility and control at scale require automation via tools like Strac.

Final Thoughts

PR.DS-5 is no longer optional. Data is everywhere—emails, Slack, S3, AI tools—and without visibility and controls, it leaks. By aligning with leading frameworks (NIST CSF, CCM, CIS Controls) and using a unified solution like Strac, you can meet compliance and stop breaches—before they happen.