In a recent case, a former Intel engineer allegedly downloaded 18,000 confidential files and disappeared. This incident highlights the growing challenge for every organization to prevent sensitive data from leaving secure environments unnoticed, especially via removable media devices.
This type of insider threat often goes undetected because traditional tools, such as firewalls or endpoint detection systems, are designed to stop external attacks. MetaDefender Endpoint helps enterprises and critical infrastructure organizations close this gap by offering control and visibility over data transfers to removable media.
Detect Sensitive Information Before It Leaves the Network
MetaDefender Endpoint automatically scans and checks file contents before they are copied to removable media such as USB drives, external disks, or SD cards. Leveraging OPSWAT’s Proactive DLP™ technology, it can identify files containing:
- Confidential information, such as contracts and NDAs
- Regulated information, such as social security numbers, PII (personal identifiable information), PHI (protected health information), and financial data
- Custom Regular Expressions
- Easy-to-guess passwords, generic API tokens, and database credentials
If a file is detected to violate the organization’s policies, MetaDefender Endpoint blocks transfer and quarantines it before it ever leaves the organization’s network and enters removable media. This ensures that even if an insider attempts to copy large volumes of sensitive data, the system enforces real-time inspection and control, preventing sensitive data from being exported.
Audit Trail for Removable Media Data Transfers
With MetaDefender Endpoint, administrators have full visibility with centralized monitoring and audit trails for all data transfers performed via removable media. Through the centralized management of My OPSWAT Central Management, administrators can view:
- Which device is connected to which port and at what time
- Who transfers data to which locations or devices
- When the transfers occur
- Whether files pass compliance checks or are blocked by policy
This increased visibility enables security teams to detect anomalies early, such as repeated attempts to copy files to removable media or using unauthorized USB devices. In high-risk situations, admins can immediately revoke access or disable devices to ensure security and compliance.
Control Access with Granular Policies
MetaDefender Endpoint enables policy-based enforcement to restrict file movements based on user roles, device, and file sensitivity via the management console, My OPSWAT Central Management. For instance, engineers may be allowed to transfer project documentation to approved devices, but not to personal USB drives.
Via My OPSWAT Central Management, administrators can prevent unmanaged data movement by configuring settings that enable end users to copy only from admin-approved paths to removable media. Such a combination of device control and automated compliance enforcement helps organizations maintain the containment of sensitive data, even when insiders have legitimate access to systems.
Layered Defense Against Insider Risks
While no system can eliminate insider threats entirely, MetaDefender Endpoint provides a layered defense to prevent unmanaged peripheral media data movements, giving administrators the ability to monitor, control, and respond in real time.
MetaDefender Endpoint Validation is a lightweight tool installed on endpoints that offers an additional layer of removable media protection for critical endpoints. It works in both air-gapped and connected environments to validate whether files from removable media devices were first scanned by MetaDefender Kiosk, ensuring that only validated files can be opened, copied, selected, and accessed by the endpoint.
When pairing MetaDefender Kiosk™ with MetaDefender Endpoint Validation, organizations can enforce similar policies for data entering and leaving air-gapped networks through removable media devices, creating end-to-end protection for critical environments.
Incidents like the recent insider data theft underscore why zero-trust for devices and strong data loss prevention aren’t optional; they’re essential. MetaDefender Endpoint helps organizations enforce that principle by inspecting, controlling, and securing every removable media transfer before any data leaves the endpoint. It gives organizations the control and visibility they need to prevent breaches and protect sensitive information.
Final Thoughts
Data doesn’t need to cross borders or networks to cause damage. Sometimes, it occurs within the organization and is carried out using a USB drive. With MetaDefender Endpoint, OPSWAT empowers organizations to detect, control, and track removable media data transfers before they become a breach.
To learn more about how OPSWAT protects sensitive information across endpoints, media, and networks, contact us today.
