Watermarking Strategies: A Low-Tech Information Rights Management (IRM)

Deterrence vs. Prevention

In Data Loss Prevention (DLP) theory, controls are categorized as Technical (Encryption) or Administrative (Policy). Watermarking sits in a unique middle ground: Psychological Deterrence.

The "Individualized" Watermark Strategy

When distributing sensitive Board Minutes, a generic "Confidential" stamp is ignored. A watermark saying "COPY ISSUED TO JOHN DOE" changes the game.

Why it works:

1. Attribution: It creates a clear Chain of Custody.
2. Non-Repudiation: It makes it difficult for the recipient to deny the leak was their copy.

Technical Implementation

Using our Watermark PDF Tool, we flatten the text into the content stream.

• Opacity: 15-20% is the industry standard—visible enough to mark ownership, subtle enough to read through.
• Placement: Diagonal (45 degrees) across the center is hardest to crop out.