Active Screening –

Definition:
Active screening is a proactive file control mechanism used in digital environments (such as corporate networks, file servers, or endpoint devices) to enforce content restrictions by actively preventing users from saving files that match specific, predefined criteria, such as membership in blocked file groups (e.g., by file type, name pattern, or content). When a user attempts to save a file that violates these rules, the system blocks the action and triggers a notification or alert to administrators or compliance personnel.

Key Characteristics:-

• Real-time enforcement:
  Active screening operates immediately at the point of file creation or modification, not after the fact. This distinguishes it from passive screening or audits, which only log violations for later review.
• Policy-driven:
  Rules for what constitutes a “blocked” file are defined by administrators. These may include:
  • Specific file extensions (e.g., .mp3, .exe, .bat)
  • Keywords in filenames or contents
  • File sizes or types known to pose security or compliance risks
• Notification system:
  When a user tries to save a blocked file, the system not only denies the action but also generates alerts or logs. These notifications can be:
  • Shown directly to the user
  • Sent to system administrators or compliance teams
  • Logged in audit trails for review and reporting

Use Cases:-

• Data loss prevention (DLP):
  Preventing unauthorized storage or transmission of sensitive data such as customer records or financial information.
• IT security:
  Blocking executable files that could be malicious or non-compliant with corporate software policies.
• Compliance and regulatory adherence:
  Ensuring users don’t store data that violates legal requirements (e.g., storing copyrighted media or protected health information in unauthorized formats).

Comparison to Passive Screening: