10 Best tools for blocking unauthorized USB devices

DLP USB blocking addresses a key threat factor that most people tend to overlook: insider threats. These can be intentional or simple mistakes by employees. While firewalls and VPNs protect the system from external threats, best tools for blocking unauthorized USB devices focuses on the most vulnerable aspect of data and threat protection, which is USB ports.

USB devices are often used as malware and data theft carriers to steal or leak sensitive data. Implementing USB blocking through endpoint data loss prevention (DLP) solutions helps organizations protect their data and devices from potential data leaks and cyber threats at the physical point of breach.

The global USB blocker market size is predicted to reach USD 7.89 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 10.2% from 2020 to 2030^[1].

This means that the market is flooded with several solutions claiming to provide the best tools for blocking unauthorized USB devices. Through this article, we will compare the top 10 endpoint DLP USB blocking solutions so you can decide which one fits your organization the best. 

An endpoint DLP USB blocking tool is a solution that ensures sensitive company data remains secure and prevents threats from unauthorized devices and ports. It achieves this by constantly verifying and monitoring the transfer of company information to any external devices and blocking it when necessary. 

The USB blocking tool also detects malware and ransomware and deploys safety measures before they can infiltrate the organization’s systems. 

Endpoint DLP USB blocking provides IT admins the ability to enforce predefined policies for all storage devices connected to endpoints. It also supports device type filtering, which restricts access by type of device and ensures only encrypted devices can access endpoints, minimizing unintentional data exposure.

1. Scalefusion Veltar Endpoint DLP

Veltar is an endpoint-focused DLP solution that’s fully integrated with the Scalefusion UEM platform. It protects sensitive data with endpoint DLP software that defines, restricts, and monitors every access point, including physical ports, whether they are on macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Windows, Linux, or Android devices.

The security policies set through Veltar don’t rely on the network and stay active no matter where a device connects from. In simple terms, Veltar makes sure sensitive data stays protected, and devices stay ready for audits, all without managing separate tools or additional configurations.

Veltar allows IT admins to implement policies directly on the device, thereby ensuring that sensitive data is prevented from being transferred without proper authorization. Being seamlessly integrated with Scalefusion UEM, data protection and device management run from a single unified dashboard. Working as one system, they ensure every endpoint decision and every security policy stays in sync.

Key features:

• Device type filtering: Restrict access by type of device, such as USB, SD cards, or external hard drives, for tighter management.
• Customizable CIS policies: Adjust and tailor security rules to fit your organization’s unique security needs.
• Precise access device rules: Set read/write, read-only, or deny for classes of storage devices and fine-tune the rules per device.
• Conditional access: Configure access restrictions based on multiple conditions, including IP address, device timezone, day of the week, start and end time.
• Encryption enforcement: Allow only encrypted drives and block USBs or SD cards as needed.
• Real-time policy deployment: Ensure detailed logs for audits and instant policy updates across the devices.

Best for: Organizations of all sizes that want comprehensive endpoint protection.

Price: Contact the 24/7 support team for a custom quote.

2. Netwrix Endpoint Protector

Netwrix Endpoint Protector is an endpoint DLP solution with strong USB and peripheral device control. It lets IT teams block, monitor, or allow USB storage based on user or device policy. It provides Device Control, Content-Aware Protection, Enforced Encryption, and eDiscovery features.

Netwrix Endpoint Protector’s device control helps lock down, control, and monitor USB and peripheral ports. It can uniquely identify all USB-connected devices and supports content inspection to prevent sensitive data from being copied to external drives.

Key features:

• Remote control: Remotely monitor USBs and peripheral ports and grant temporary access.
• Cross-platform protection: Set policies easily for Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms.
• Lightweight agent: Leave minimal performance impact on protected computers.
• Granular control: Create device allowlists and blocklists and define policies per user, computer, or group.
• Content-aware protection: Ensure detailed control through both content and context inspection.

Best for: Organizations seeking a simple, lightweight DLP solution.

Pricing: Contact support for a quote.

3. Trellix Endpoint DLP

Trellix Endpoint DLP solution focuses on preventing critical data from leaving company devices. It provides features to control USB storage, apply encryption, and enforce policies based on data type. 

Trelix Endpoint DLP is built on an AI-powered security platform to help secure organizations from advanced threats and strengthen operational resilience. It integrates with broader Trellix security tools for centralized management.

Key features:

• Event monitoring and tracking: Monitor events in real-time, and get reports to ensure compliance.
• Policy deployment across vectors: Deploy rules and set parameters for sharing data locally or on the cloud.
• End user notifications: Customize notifications for users who attempt to violate data-sharing policies and request justification.

Best for: Organizations needing a dedicated DLP solution.

Pricing: Contact support for a quote.

4. Safetica ONE Protection DLP

Safetica ONE combines behavioral signals, data, and user identity for visibility into actions and intent. Powered by AI, it adapts to context and proactively blocks careless and malicious activity without disrupting productivity.

Safetica ONE includes endpoint DLP and device control features. It allows organizations to restrict or monitor USB devices and prevent unauthorized file transfers. Policies can be set by department, user, or data category.

Key features:

• Data protection: Classify, monitor, and control sensitive data across devices and clouds in real time.
• Compliance report: Prove compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS with audit-ready reporting.
• Cloud security: Protect Microsoft 365, cloud, and file-sharing platforms.
• Risk detection: Spot risky behavior, detect intent, and stop insider threats before damage is done.

Best for: Organizations with a need for a contextual DLP solution.

Pricing: Contact sales for a custom quote.

5. Symantec Endpoint DLP

Symantec Endpoint DLP by Broadcom provides endpoint device control and data protection on endpoints, networks, cloud, and storage. It can block or limit USB storage and inspect files for sensitive content before transfer. It supports compliance use cases such as GDPR and PCI DSS.

Symantec Endpoint DLP can discover, monitor, and protect the data in use across external storage, email, cloud apps, network protocols, virtual desktops, and servers. It uses a single lightweight endpoint agent that enables DLP Endpoint Discover and DLP Endpoint Prevent.

Key features:

• Unified DLP policies: Reduce complexity with a single unified policy framework to detect and remediate on-premises and cloud-based incidents.
• Deep visibility: Provide accurate visibility into where sensitive data lives and moves. 
• Regulatory compliance: Facilitate compliance with global data protection laws and regulatory requirements.
• Data protection: Keep confidential data safe from accidental exposure or malicious breach.

Best for: Organizations looking for a lightweight agent with scalability. 

Pricing: Contact support for a quote.

6. Microsoft Purview DLP

Microsoft Purview DLP is a cloud-native data protection solution. It restricts unauthorized sharing, usage, or transfer of organizational data in devices, apps, and services, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, with a single policy framework.  It covers all endpoints and cloud environments such as OneDrive, SharePoint, Exchange, and apps other than the Microsoft cloud. 

Microsoft Purview helps with data classification, sensitive data labelling, and policy-based controls across your digital environment. It allows admins to control removable storage, apply encryption policies, and restrict USB access on devices.

Key features:

• Centralized policy management: Create, manage, and enforce DLP policies across all endpoints from one platform. 
• Simple policy deployment: Classify critical information and support out-of-the-box policy enforcement. 
• Unified alerts: Track data sharing and send alerts through a single console to monitor real-time policy violations and minimize breaches.
• Enhanced USB control: Allows granular management of USB file and data transfer permissions.

Best for: Organizations deeply rooted in the Microsoft 365 suite.

Pricing: Can be part of the premium plan or added onto an existing plan as an add-on for an additional cost. 

7. ThreatLocker Storage Control

ThreatLocker Storage Control focuses on blocking unauthorized USB devices. It uses allowlisting, meaning only approved devices can connect. This reduces the risk of malware or data theft through removable media.

ThreatLocker Storage Control allows granular, policy-driven control over data access. This emphasizes a deny-by-default security posture across storage devices, applications, and network resources. 

Key features:

• Prevention of data exfiltration: Stop unauthorized USB drives from copying sensitive data off endpoints.
• Rogue device risk: Block unknown or malicious USB devices from ever connecting to network systems.
• Encryption for regulated environments: Require approved external devices to be encrypted to meet compliance and data protection mandates.
• Compliance maintenance: Enforce encryption and produce audit-ready visibility into device usage.

Best for: Businesses with strict compliance requirements that need close monitoring and controlled access to their data and systems.

Pricing: Contact sales for a custom quote. 

8. Forcepoint DLP

Forcepoint offers a cloud-native DLP solution. With rapid deployment and policy management, it helps safeguard data, prevent breaches, and enforce compliance. It provides real-time risk monitoring across all endpoints, along with cloud apps and emails.

Forcepoint DLP can block or monitor USB storage and apply policies based on data sensitivity. It includes centralized reporting for compliance tracking and delivers unified visibility, adaptive control, and automated protection across all the critical channels.

Key features: 

• Remote block: Monitor and block security incidents in real time wherever users interact with data.
• Simplified compliance: Streamline policy configuration and management with several classifiers and policy templates to identify and secure PII and PHI. 
• Configuration and reporting: Create, manage, and report on policies for cloud, web, email, and endpoint from one platform.

Best for: Organizations looking for a cloud-based DLP solution. 

Pricing: Contact support for a quote.

9. Fortra Digital Guardian Endpoint DLP

Fortra is an enterprise software solution that provides comprehensive DLP, from endpoint to cloud. It delivers cloud-powered DLP that discovers, classifies, monitors, and blocks critical information from being transferred. It spans endpoints (Windows, macOS, Linux) and network channels.

The solution works on a granular level and allows control of data sharing and loss protection at the endpoint level. It monitors user activities such as applications used, data transferred, and files created and uploaded. 

Key features:

• Automated remediation: Automatically log, block, or encrypt sensitive data in emails and files moved to removable drives, cloud storage, or the web.
• Precise control policies: Limit the types of files that can be transferred onto removable devices and media, and the amount of data that may be transferred by time interval.
• Data classification: Create and modify classification and usage policies through content inspection, context awareness, and user classification.
• Cross-platform coverage: Support for hybrid environments provides coverage for Windows, macOS, or Linux operating systems, browsers, and applications.

Best for: Organizations requiring sensitive IP and regulated data protection.

Pricing: Contact support for a custom quote. 

10. ManageEngine Device Control Plus

Device Control Plus by ManageEngine is an endpoint security solution that prioritizes the monitoring and controlling of USB peripheral devices. It offers extensive, remote surveillance of removable media, drives, and auxiliary ports and is designed for a simplified user experience.

Device Control Plus comes equipped with capabilities to supervise and audit device access to corporate data, as well as to regulate file transfers. It helps achieve effective data protection and ensure business continuity.

Key features: 

• Automated classification: Automatically detect devices and classify them as allowed or blocked.
• Trusted device list: Create a trusted device list to ensure that no device, unless authorized, can access privileged data. 
• Granular access: Grant temporary access to devices for a specific amount of time to avoid productivity lapse.
• Report generation: Leverage detailed reports for in-depth forensic analysis.

Best for: Large organizations with varied device profile environments. 

Pricing: Contact sales for a custom quote. 

Choose the right DLP USB blocking solution for safer ports

Just like high seas, organizations need to ensure that their ports remain safe for the right vessels, USB devices in this case, to dock and conduct their business. This means enforcing strict data access and transfer policies across all endpoints. 

Picking the right endpoint DLP USB blocking software is integral to this endeavor, as it creates the baseline for the organization’s security net. By covering the physical points of access, the threat surface area is reduced drastically, and there is better management of the data flow across the managed network. 

Scalefusion Veltar offers a robust selection of features that create a comprehensive security posture throughout the ecosystem and integrate seamlessly with the organization’s current workflow. It provides advanced data monitoring, granular policy controls, cross-platform support, and centralized analytics from a single unified platform.

Reference:

1. https://www.nextmsc.com/report/usb-blocker-market 

FAQs

1. How does USB blocking software enhance data security and prevent data loss?

USB blocking software enhances data security and prevents data loss by restricting, monitoring, or disabling USB ports to prevent unauthorized portable storage devices from accessing sensitive information. It also prevents malware breaches, stops data theft, and enforces compliance by read-only policies.

2. Can USB blocking software manage and monitor various types of external devices?

Yes, USB blocking software can comprehensively manage and monitor various external devices. These endpoint DLP solutions allow administrators to block, allow, or set read-only permissions for specific devices based on user or device profiles. These devices could be USB storage, mobile phones, and Bluetooth devices. 

3. What are the key features of best tools for blocking unauthorized USB devices?

Key features of best tools for blocking unauthorized USB devices include granular access controls (read-only or full block), whitelisting authorized devices by ID, real-time activity monitoring and logging, and enforcing encryption policies on USB storage devices.