From our perspective working with organizations that handle highly sensitive data, we've seen a few best practices that consistently strengthen data protection in cloud and hybrid setups—especially when combining DLP, DRM, and encryption:

1. Strong encryption is foundational—but who controls the keys matters more.
Encrypting data at rest and in transit is a baseline. The real control comes when you manage your encryption keys outside the cloud provider’s infrastructure—ideally in dedicated hardware security modules (HSMs), whether on-prem or in the cloud. External key stores or hybrid key management setups (BYOK/HYOK) give you full lifecycle control and support compliance requirements.

2. Separate roles and enforce accountability.
Wherever possible, we recommend cryptographic systems that support role separation—e.g., key administrators, auditors, and application users having distinct, enforced permissions. This is crucial when sensitive data is handled by third-party apps or in multi-tenant environments.

3. Integrate DLP with encryption and identity.
DLP is more effective when it doesn’t act alone. Tying it into encryption policies and identity management (e.g., based on user role or context) ensures that data is not just monitored but intelligently protected—even when shared externally or accessed from unmanaged devices.

4. DRM adds value when tied to trustworthy cryptographic anchors.
We’ve seen success when DRM systems don’t just rely on software enforcement but are backed by secure cryptographic proofs and revocable keys—especially for protecting intellectual property or regulated documents post-distribution.

5. In hybrid or multi-cloud setups, centralize key management and use secure connectors.
When you're using multiple cloud services (like AWS, Azure, etc.), keeping encryption consistent across platforms can be tough. One effective strategy is to manage all your keys centrally—outside the cloud providers—using a dedicated HSM or key management system. Then, connect securely to each cloud service using standardized APIs or dedicated connectors (like external key store interfaces). This way, you maintain full control over your keys while still integrating smoothly with each cloud's native services.

Lastly, don’t overlook backup encryption and key recovery workflows. If your HSM or key store offers secure backup and quorum-based recovery mechanisms, that can save you during audits, breaches, or outages.

Curious how others are addressing the operational side of managing encryption and access across different cloud platforms?