2024 Data Loss Landscape Report

This report examines the current state of data loss prevention (DLP) and insider threats across 12 countries and 17 industries. It highlights that data loss is predominantly caused by user actions rather than system vulnerabilities. The report is based on a survey of 600 security professionals and internal data from Proofpoint's information protection platform. Key findings indicate that 85% of organizations experienced at least one data loss incident in the past year, with careless users being the most cited cause. The report discusses the implications of hybrid work, cloud workflows, and generative AI on data security. It also details the consequences of data loss incidents, including business disruption and reputational damage. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding the human factor in data loss and the need for improved DLP strategies to address these challenges effectively.