Goldman Sachs recently implemented a policy forbidding employees from using profanity in electronic messages. This comes hot on the heels of a particularly embarrassing Senate hearing when one email in particular, featuring an expletive, was repeatedly quoted. Goldman has implemented screening software to electronically enforce the new policy.

While the situation in question refers to the usage of naughty words within an organization, the enforcement software - a content filtering engine or data-leak prevention solution (such as smarshDLP) - can provide significant additional value to an organization looking to mitigate risk. It can:

• Delay or block the delivery of messages using objectionable language,
• Block outbound delivery of emails intended for internal use only, and
• Automatically encrypt intellectual property or private client data sent via email.

Data leaks are often inadvertent - for instance, misaddressed recipient lines or an over-eager "auto-complete" in your email client - and these sorts of risks can also be addressed.

Having a solution in place is not fool-proof, but implementing a DLP solution as part of an overall data protection strategy is a sound investment. Have a policy in place; train employees; and enforce, evaluate and adjust your procedures as necessary.

Whether it's enforcing a no-swearing policy, or protecting your organization from information leaks, the use of a data-leak prevention solution for monitoring and enforcing is a smart decision.

For more information on DLP, including why proactive implementation can save your company dollars and cents in addition to reputational damage, check out the Osterman Research white paper Why Your Organization Needs to Implement DLP.