When companies consider how to protect their most valuable asset which are corporate documents, a number of representative solutions are debated: DRM, DLP, and DCS (Document Centralization Solution)

While all three aim to prevent data leakage, their security approaches and levels of control differ significantly. As a result, their effectiveness varies depending on each organization’s environment and security objectives.

This article compares core features and differences among the three types of solutions.

 

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DRM vs. DLP vs. DCS: Key Characteristics

 

📂 DRM(Digital Rights Management) : Security Embedded in the File Itself

DRM encrypts the document file itself and grants access only to authorized users.
Even if the file is taken outside the company, unauthorized users cannot decrypt or view it.
 

📂 DLP(Data Loss Prevention) : Detects and Blocks Leakage Attempts

DLP monitors how sensitive information moves inside and outside the organization.
It tracks email, web uploads, USB, printing, and other outbound channels, triggering alerts or blocking transmission when suspicious activities are detected.

 

📂 DCS(Document Centralization Solution): Store and Control All Documents in a Central Server

​ With document centralization solution, documents are created, saved, and managed on a central server instead of individual PCs.
Local saving is blocked at the source, minimizing leakage risks while enabling version control, permission management, and collaboration features in a single system.
This strengthens both security and work efficiency simultaneously.

 

 

📄 Summary of Key Features

Because each solution protects documents in a different way, companies can strengthen security by adopting one or a combination of solutions depending on their specific needs and objectives.

Category	DCS	DRM	DLP
Main Function	Centralized storage and management of all documents	File encryption & access control	Monitoring and blocking of outbound data
Protection Method	Forces saving to central repository with access control	Encrypts files to block unauthorized access	Detects and blocks suspicious outbound actions
Primary Purpose	Integrated management and protection of corporate data	Prevent unauthorized viewing and use	Prevent external leakage attempts
Remarks	Initial setup for folder structure & permissions required	Higher deployment cost; administrative complexity	False positives; complicated policies

 

​ However, real-world security incidents show a common blind spot in both DRM and DLP—
one that becomes especially critical in practice:

 

🚨 The Most Frequent Corporate Leakage Incident: Documents Taken by Departing Employees

A recent case in Korea involved the head of a nuclear energy institution who removed critical technical data right before resigning.
Even though the organization had deployed DRM/DLP tools, the employee succeeded in leaking the materials by abusing legitimate access rights.

(링크 : https://www.chosun.com/economy/science/2025/10/20/DA6SZVON2JBN3B6YWNC7G3AVKU/)

 

Why DRM and DLP Struggle With Insider Leakage

 

• DRM Limitation

Employees with legitimate access rights work with documents in a decrypted state.

If the file is copied to a local PC during this time, DRM can no longer control the file once the employee leaves and the account is deactivated.

 

• DLP Limitation

DLP blocks actions, not data already stored locally.

Once a file is downloaded internally, DLP cannot fully monitor or restrict what happens to it on the local device.

 

👉 Both solutions have a common weakness: they cannot control files that already exist on a local PC.

 

🥇 DCS :The Most Effective Solution to Prevent Insider Leakage

DCS fundamentally eliminates the blind spots that DRM and DLP cannot cover.

 

1️⃣ Local Storage Control & Forced Centralized Saving

All documents created during work are saved only on the central server.
Since no file exists on local PCs, leakage via personal devices becomes impossible—even after the employee resigns.

 

2️⃣ Full Monitoring & Controlled Access for Departing or Soon-to-Depart Employees

Document creation, viewing, editing, and export activities are fully logged, enabling complete traceability of who accessed what and when.
For employees preparing to leave, access rights can be gradually limited so they see only the minimum information required.

 

3️⃣ Ensured Business Continuity & Easy Retrieval of Corporate Assets

All documents handled by the departing employee remain securely stored on the central server, allowing successors to continue their work immediately.
Even if the employee deletes files or formats their PC before leaving, nothing is lost—the documents remain intact on the server.

 

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In this way, the Document Centralization Solution (DCS) fills the critical gaps that DRM and DLP cannot address. By centrally managing all documents and blocking local storage, DCS provides stronger control, clearer visibility, and a more reliable internal security foundation.