Netskope DLP Limitations: Why CASB-Only Data Loss Prevention Fails on Unmanaged Endpoints and Shadow IT

The Netskope DLP landscape of 2025 has exposed a fundamental architectural limitation: cloud-native CASB DLP solutions like Netskope enforce policies across SaaS, web, and IaaS effectively, but they create critical blind spots when traffic does not traverse Netskope infrastructure—particularly on unmanaged endpoints, direct app-to-app flows, shadow IT, and offline scenarios. As organizations navigate this landscape, they're discovering that browser-native DLP is essential for protecting data on unmanaged devices and unsanctioned applications that CASB-only enforcement cannot address.

In this comprehensive analysis of Netskope DLP limitations, we'll examine CASB-only DLP blind spots, unmanaged endpoint challenges, agentless vs endpoint DLP tradeoffs, shadow IT risks, and how enterprise browsers like Kahana Oasis solve Netskope DLP gaps comprehensively, revealing why browser-native data protection is essential for modern, distributed work environments.

Quick Verdict: The Netskope DLP Gap

After extensive analysis of Netskope DLP approaches in 2025, the verdict reveals critical limitations:

• Netskope Cloud DLP: Enforces policies across SaaS, web, and IaaS effectively but creates blind spots on unmanaged endpoints, direct app-to-app flows, and offline scenarios that cloud-only enforcement cannot address.
• CASB-Only DLP: Limited control over truly unmanaged endpoints, partial coverage for offline or mobile scenarios, and SaaS-to-SaaS blind spots that complicate DLP enforcement without endpoint agents.
• Kahana Oasis: The only enterprise browser that provides browser-native DLP that works on unmanaged endpoints, protects shadow IT, and enforces policies regardless of network path or device management status.

Netskope DLP: Cloud-Native Enforcement and Its Blind Spots

Netskope provides comprehensive cloud-native DLP that enforces policies across SaaS, web, IaaS, and private applications, but this approach creates critical blind spots when traffic does not traverse Netskope infrastructure. Netskope's DLP overview describes how Netskope's cloud DLP enforces policies across SaaS, web, IaaS, and private apps, while implicitly highlighting blind spots when traffic does not traverse Netskope (e.g., unmanaged devices, direct app-to-app flows). This reveals a fundamental limitation: cloud-native DLP monitors traffic that flows through Netskope infrastructure, but it cannot see or control data movement that bypasses this infrastructure.

When users access SaaS applications from unmanaged devices or create direct app-to-app connections, Netskope DLP cannot see or control this traffic because it doesn't flow through Netskope infrastructure. Users may access unsanctioned SaaS applications, create direct integrations between cloud services, or work offline—all creating data exfiltration risks that Netskope DLP cannot address because the traffic never reaches Netskope's enforcement points.

Netskope's DLP definition explains Netskope's approach to DLP for SaaS apps like Microsoft 365 and ChatGPT, surfacing challenges such as accurately classifying sensitive data in cloud workflows and enforcing policies on modern, collaboration-heavy SaaS usage. This reveals a critical challenge: even when Netskope DLP can see SaaS traffic, accurately classifying sensitive data in collaborative workflows and enforcing policies on modern SaaS usage creates operational challenges that complicate DLP enforcement.

Netskope's managed cloud applications solution shows how Netskope provides granular control for sanctioned SaaS apps via CASB/SWG, underscoring operational challenges like needing inline or API coverage to see and control data without relying on endpoint agents. This reveals a fundamental constraint: Netskope DLP requires inline or API coverage to see and control data, but unmanaged endpoints and unsanctioned applications may not have this coverage, creating blind spots that cloud-only enforcement cannot address.

Oasis addresses Netskope DLP blind spots by providing browser-native DLP that works regardless of network path or device management status. Unlike Netskope DLP that requires traffic to flow through its infrastructure, Oasis monitors browser-level data movement, preventing unauthorized data exfiltration on unmanaged endpoints, shadow IT, and direct app-to-app flows—all without requiring network-level interception or endpoint agents.

Limitations of CASB-Only DLP for SaaS Apps

CASB-only DLP creates significant limitations for SaaS applications, as it requires traffic to flow through CASB infrastructure to enforce policies effectively. Nightfall AI's Netskope DLP analysis analyzes how Netskope DLP intercepts SaaS and web traffic, calling out challenges such as limited control over truly unmanaged endpoints and partial coverage for offline or mobile scenarios. This reveals a fundamental gap: CASB-only DLP monitors traffic that flows through CASB infrastructure, but it cannot control data movement on unmanaged endpoints or offline scenarios that bypass this infrastructure.

When users access SaaS applications from unmanaged devices, CASB-only DLP cannot enforce policies because the traffic may not flow through CASB infrastructure. Users may access unsanctioned SaaS applications, create direct app-to-app connections, or work offline—all creating data exfiltration risks that CASB-only DLP cannot address.

SentinelOne's CASB vs DLP analysis explains how CASB complements DLP for SaaS but also notes that extending traditional DLP from on-prem to cloud introduces issues like lack of cloud context, deployment complexity, and partial SaaS coverage. This reveals a critical challenge: CASB-only DLP extends traditional DLP to cloud environments, but it creates gaps in cloud context, deployment complexity, and SaaS coverage that complicate comprehensive DLP enforcement.

Palo Alto Networks' next-gen CASB analysis describes next-gen CASB capabilities for SaaS, including real-time controls, and highlights the need to handle app-to-app traffic and identities that traditional proxy-based and endpoint-heavy models can't see well. This reveals a fundamental limitation: even next-gen CASB solutions struggle with app-to-app traffic and identities that traditional proxy-based models cannot see, creating blind spots that complicate DLP enforcement.

Academic research on CASB-based DLP discusses CASB-based DLP, naming real-world problems like performance slowdowns, scalability limits, integration difficulties, false positives, and privacy concerns when enforcing DLP for SaaS. This reveals a critical challenge: CASB-based DLP creates operational challenges like performance slowdowns, scalability limits, and false positives that complicate comprehensive DLP enforcement for SaaS applications.

Oasis addresses CASB-only DLP limitations by providing browser-native DLP that works without network-level interception or CASB infrastructure. Unlike CASB-only DLP that requires traffic to flow through CASB infrastructure, Oasis monitors browser-level data movement, preventing unauthorized data exfiltration regardless of network path or CASB coverage—all without creating performance slowdowns or scalability limits that CASB-based DLP introduces.

Why Unmanaged Endpoints Break SaaS DLP Policies

Unmanaged endpoints create one of the most significant challenges for Netskope DLP, as cloud-native enforcement cannot see or control data movement on devices that don't have Netskope agents or don't route traffic through Netskope infrastructure. Netskope's DLP datasheet details how Netskope cloud DLP and endpoint DLP share policies, while also revealing design constraints around unmanaged endpoints, USB, and offline use cases that are difficult to control purely from the cloud. This reveals a fundamental limitation: Netskope cloud DLP cannot control data movement on unmanaged endpoints, USB devices, or offline scenarios that bypass cloud infrastructure.

When users access SaaS applications from unmanaged endpoints, Netskope cloud DLP cannot enforce policies because the traffic may not flow through Netskope infrastructure or the devices don't have Netskope agents. Users may access unsanctioned SaaS applications, copy data to USB devices, or work offline—all creating data exfiltration risks that Netskope cloud DLP cannot address.

Optiv's Netskope Endpoint DLP analysis announces Netskope Endpoint DLP and explains why customers needed device-level controls (e.g., USB, local copies), implicitly exposing what is hard or impossible to enforce if you try to stay 100% agentless. This reveals a critical insight: Netskope recognized the need for endpoint DLP because cloud-only enforcement cannot control USB devices, local file copies, or offline scenarios that require device-level controls.

Strac's endpoint vs agentless DLP comparison compares endpoint-based DLP with agentless SaaS/cloud DLP, emphasizing gaps like blind spots on local file movement, offline work, and shadow IT when you rely solely on SaaS-side enforcement. This reveals a fundamental gap: agentless SaaS/cloud DLP creates blind spots on local file movement, offline work, and shadow IT that endpoint-based DLP can address, but endpoint-based DLP requires device management that doesn't work for unmanaged endpoints.

Oasis addresses unmanaged endpoint challenges by providing browser-native DLP that works regardless of device management status. Unlike Netskope cloud DLP that requires traffic to flow through its infrastructure, or Netskope endpoint DLP that requires device agents, Oasis provides browser-level data protection that enables secure SaaS access on unmanaged endpoints without requiring device management or network-level interception.

Agentless SaaS DLP vs Endpoint-Based DLP: Tradeoffs for Security Teams

Security teams face a fundamental tradeoff between agentless SaaS DLP and endpoint-based DLP, as each approach creates different blind spots and operational challenges. Strac's analysis emphasizes gaps like blind spots on local file movement, offline work, and shadow IT when you rely solely on SaaS-side enforcement. This reveals a fundamental tradeoff: agentless SaaS DLP avoids device management but creates blind spots on local file movement, offline work, and shadow IT that endpoint-based DLP can address.

When organizations deploy agentless SaaS DLP, they avoid device management overhead but create blind spots on local file movement, offline work, and shadow IT. When organizations deploy endpoint-based DLP, they gain visibility into local file movement and offline work but require device management that doesn't work for unmanaged endpoints or contractors.

DLPTES's analysis argues that pure agentless/inline approaches leave major blind spots for insider risk and local data movement, which you can use to frame "what you give up" when trying to avoid endpoint management. This reveals a critical tradeoff: agentless approaches avoid device management but create blind spots for insider risk and local data movement that endpoint agents can address.

Netskope's lightweight endpoint DLP announcement describes a lightweight endpoint agent that unifies DLP policies across SaaS, IaaS, web, email, and endpoint, reinforcing why vendors add endpoint control even when they have strong cloud/SaaS DLP. This reveals a fundamental insight: even vendors with strong cloud/SaaS DLP recognize the need for endpoint control because cloud-only enforcement creates blind spots that endpoint agents can address.

Oasis addresses the agentless vs endpoint DLP tradeoff by providing browser-native DLP that works without device management or network-level interception. Unlike agentless SaaS DLP that creates blind spots on local file movement and offline work, or endpoint-based DLP that requires device management, Oasis provides browser-level data protection that enables comprehensive DLP enforcement without the tradeoffs that traditional approaches require.

Shadow IT and SaaS-to-SaaS Connections: The Netskope Blind Spot

Shadow IT and SaaS-to-SaaS connections create significant blind spots for Netskope DLP, as unsanctioned applications and direct app-to-app integrations may not flow through Netskope infrastructure. Valence Security's 2024 State of SaaS Security Report outlines CASB limitations such as lack of SaaS configuration visibility, SaaS-to-SaaS blind spots, and partial coverage across business-critical SaaS, all of which complicate DLP enforcement without endpoint agents. This reveals a fundamental gap: CASB solutions like Netskope create blind spots for SaaS-to-SaaS connections and unsanctioned applications that don't flow through CASB infrastructure.

When users adopt shadow IT applications or create direct SaaS-to-SaaS integrations, Netskope DLP cannot see or control this traffic because it doesn't flow through Netskope infrastructure. Users may integrate unsanctioned SaaS applications, create direct app-to-app connections, or use shadow IT services—all creating data exfiltration risks that Netskope DLP cannot address.

SecPod's shadow IT analysis examines shadow IT and cloud risks, noting that DLP policies across all applications depend on visibility and control that are difficult to achieve when users adopt unsanctioned SaaS from unmanaged endpoints. This reveals a critical challenge: DLP policies require visibility and control, but shadow IT and unmanaged endpoints create scenarios where this visibility and control are difficult to achieve.

Nightfall AI's SaaS DLP analysis discusses SaaS-native DLP and highlights problems like detecting secrets and unstructured data in collaborative apps, as well as how traditional network or CASB-only DLP misses internal SaaS risks. This reveals a fundamental limitation: even when CASB DLP can see SaaS traffic, detecting secrets and unstructured data in collaborative apps creates challenges that complicate DLP enforcement.

Oasis addresses shadow IT and SaaS-to-SaaS blind spots by providing browser-native DLP that works regardless of application type or sanction status. Unlike Netskope DLP that requires traffic to flow through its infrastructure, Oasis monitors browser-level data movement, preventing unauthorized data exfiltration in shadow IT and SaaS-to-SaaS connections—all without requiring network-level interception or CASB coverage.

Offline and Mobile Scenarios: Partial Coverage Challenges

Offline and mobile scenarios create partial coverage challenges for Netskope DLP, as cloud-native enforcement cannot see or control data movement when devices are offline or when mobile applications don't route traffic through Netskope infrastructure. Nightfall AI's analysis calls out challenges such as limited control over truly unmanaged endpoints and partial coverage for offline or mobile scenarios. This reveals a fundamental limitation: Netskope DLP provides partial coverage for offline or mobile scenarios, creating blind spots that cloud-only enforcement cannot address.

When users work offline or access SaaS applications through mobile apps, Netskope DLP cannot enforce policies because the traffic doesn't flow through Netskope infrastructure or occurs when devices are offline. Users may download sensitive data for offline work, access SaaS applications through mobile apps, or work in areas with limited connectivity—all creating data exfiltration risks that Netskope DLP cannot address.

Oasis addresses offline and mobile scenario challenges by providing browser-native DLP that works regardless of connectivity or device type. Unlike Netskope DLP that requires traffic to flow through its infrastructure, Oasis provides browser-level data protection that enables secure SaaS access on mobile devices and offline scenarios without requiring network-level interception or cloud infrastructure.

Oasis: Browser-Native DLP That Solves Netskope Blind Spots

While Netskope DLP enforces policies across SaaS, web, and IaaS effectively, Kahana Oasis provides browser-native DLP that solves Netskope blind spots comprehensively—protecting data on unmanaged endpoints, shadow IT, and SaaS-to-SaaS connections that cloud-only enforcement cannot address. This security-first philosophy positions Oasis as the essential complement to Netskope DLP, addressing the browser-level data protection challenges that CASB-only enforcement cannot solve.

Oasis implements Zero Trust security architecture at the browser level, requiring continuous verification and least-privilege access for every session. Unlike Netskope DLP that requires traffic to flow through its infrastructure, Oasis monitors browser-level data movement, preventing unauthorized data exfiltration on unmanaged endpoints, shadow IT, and direct app-to-app flows—all within the browser session where modern work actually happens.

For enterprises, Oasis provides the browser-native DLP capabilities that Netskope lacks: browser-level data protection that works on unmanaged endpoints without device management, comprehensive protection for shadow IT and unsanctioned applications, SaaS-to-SaaS connection monitoring that CASB cannot see, offline and mobile scenario coverage that cloud-only enforcement misses, and unified DLP enforcement that works regardless of network path or device management status. These aren't network features or CASB features—they're browser-native DLP requirements that enable comprehensive data protection in modern, distributed work environments.

How Oasis Solves Netskope DLP Limitations

Works on Unmanaged Endpoints

Oasis provides browser-native DLP that works regardless of device management status. Unlike Netskope cloud DLP that requires traffic to flow through its infrastructure, or Netskope endpoint DLP that requires device agents, Oasis provides browser-level data protection that enables secure SaaS access on unmanaged endpoints without requiring device management or network-level interception.

Protects Shadow IT and Unsanctioned Applications

Oasis provides browser-native DLP that works regardless of application type or sanction status. Unlike Netskope DLP that requires traffic to flow through its infrastructure, Oasis monitors browser-level data movement, preventing unauthorized data exfiltration in shadow IT and unsanctioned applications—all without requiring network-level interception or CASB coverage.

Monitors SaaS-to-SaaS Connections

Oasis provides browser-native monitoring of SaaS-to-SaaS connections that CASB solutions cannot see. Unlike Netskope DLP that creates blind spots for SaaS-to-SaaS connections, Oasis monitors browser-level data movement, preventing unauthorized data exfiltration in direct app-to-app integrations.

Covers Offline and Mobile Scenarios

Oasis provides browser-native DLP that works regardless of connectivity or device type. Unlike Netskope DLP that provides partial coverage for offline or mobile scenarios, Oasis provides browser-level data protection that enables secure SaaS access on mobile devices and offline scenarios without requiring network-level interception.

Unified DLP Enforcement

Oasis provides unified DLP enforcement that works regardless of network path or device management status. Unlike Netskope DLP that requires traffic to flow through its infrastructure, Oasis provides browser-level data protection that enables comprehensive DLP enforcement without the blind spots that CASB-only enforcement creates.

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown: Netskope DLP vs Oasis Browser-Native DLP

Unmanaged Endpoint Coverage

Netskope Cloud DLP: Cannot control data movement on unmanaged endpoints. Requires traffic to flow through Netskope infrastructure or endpoint agents.

Oasis Browser-Native DLP: Browser-level data protection that works regardless of device management status. Enables secure SaaS access on unmanaged endpoints without device management.

Shadow IT Protection

Netskope Cloud DLP: Cannot see or control shadow IT applications that don't flow through Netskope infrastructure. Creates blind spots for unsanctioned applications.

Oasis Browser-Native DLP: Browser-level data protection that works regardless of application type. Protects data in shadow IT and unsanctioned applications.

SaaS-to-SaaS Connection Monitoring

Netskope Cloud DLP: Creates blind spots for SaaS-to-SaaS connections that don't flow through CASB infrastructure. Cannot see direct app-to-app integrations.

Oasis Browser-Native DLP: Browser-native monitoring of SaaS-to-SaaS connections. Prevents unauthorized data exfiltration in direct app-to-app integrations.

Offline and Mobile Coverage

Netskope Cloud DLP: Provides partial coverage for offline or mobile scenarios. Cannot enforce policies when devices are offline or mobile apps don't route through CASB.

Oasis Browser-Native DLP: Browser-level data protection that works regardless of connectivity or device type. Enables secure SaaS access on mobile devices and offline scenarios.

Deployment Complexity

Netskope Cloud DLP: Requires network-level interception or endpoint agents. Creates deployment complexity and operational overhead.

Oasis Browser-Native DLP: Browser-native data protection that requires no network-level interception or device management. Unified DLP enforcement without deployment complexity.

Performance Impact

Netskope Cloud DLP: Network-level interception can create performance slowdowns and scalability limits. CASB-based DLP introduces latency and operational challenges.

Oasis Browser-Native DLP: Browser-level data protection that works without network-level interception. No performance slowdowns or scalability limits.

Which Should You Choose: Netskope DLP Alone vs Netskope + Oasis?

You're Protecting SaaS Data on Unmanaged Endpoints

If you're protecting SaaS data on unmanaged endpoints, Oasis provides browser-native DLP that works regardless of device management status. Unlike Netskope cloud DLP that requires traffic to flow through its infrastructure, Oasis enables secure SaaS access on unmanaged endpoints without device management.

You're Dealing with Shadow IT

If you're dealing with shadow IT and unsanctioned applications, Oasis provides browser-native DLP that works regardless of application type. Unlike Netskope DLP that cannot see shadow IT applications, Oasis protects data in unsanctioned applications without requiring network-level interception.

You're Concerned About SaaS-to-SaaS Blind Spots

If you're concerned about SaaS-to-SaaS blind spots, Oasis provides browser-native monitoring of SaaS-to-SaaS connections. Unlike Netskope DLP that creates blind spots for direct app-to-app integrations, Oasis monitors browser-level data movement in SaaS-to-SaaS connections.

You Need Offline and Mobile Coverage

If you need offline and mobile coverage, Oasis provides browser-native DLP that works regardless of connectivity or device type. Unlike Netskope DLP that provides partial coverage, Oasis enables secure SaaS access on mobile devices and offline scenarios.

How to Evaluate DLP Solutions for Unmanaged Endpoints

When evaluating DLP solutions for unmanaged endpoints in 2025, consider these critical criteria:

• Unmanaged Endpoint Coverage: Can it protect data on unmanaged endpoints? Does it require device management or network-level interception?
• Shadow IT Protection: Can it protect data in shadow IT and unsanctioned applications? Does it work regardless of application type?
• SaaS-to-SaaS Monitoring: Can it monitor SaaS-to-SaaS connections? Does it prevent blind spots for direct app-to-app integrations?
• Offline and Mobile Coverage: Can it protect data in offline and mobile scenarios? Does it work regardless of connectivity or device type?
• Deployment Complexity: Does it require network-level interception or endpoint agents? Can it be deployed without device management?
• Performance Impact: Does it create performance slowdowns or scalability limits? Can it work without network-level interception overhead?
• CASB Integration: Can it complement CASB solutions like Netskope? Does it address blind spots that CASB-only enforcement creates?
• Production Readiness: Is it stable enough for enterprise deployment? Does it integrate with existing security infrastructure?

By these criteria, Oasis stands alone as the enterprise browser that solves Netskope DLP blind spots comprehensively.

FAQs: Netskope DLP Limitations and Browser-Native DLP

Why can't Netskope DLP protect data on unmanaged endpoints?

Netskope cloud DLP requires traffic to flow through Netskope infrastructure to enforce policies. When users access SaaS applications from unmanaged endpoints, the traffic may not flow through Netskope infrastructure, creating blind spots that cloud-only enforcement cannot address. Browser-native DLP like Oasis monitors browser-level data movement, enabling protection on unmanaged endpoints without requiring network-level interception.

How does shadow IT bypass Netskope DLP policies?

Shadow IT applications may not flow through Netskope infrastructure, creating blind spots that Netskope DLP cannot address. When users adopt unsanctioned SaaS applications or create direct app-to-app connections, Netskope DLP cannot see or control this traffic because it doesn't flow through CASB infrastructure. Browser-native DLP like Oasis monitors browser-level data movement, protecting data in shadow IT and unsanctioned applications regardless of network path.

What are SaaS-to-SaaS blind spots in Netskope DLP?

SaaS-to-SaaS blind spots occur when direct app-to-app integrations don't flow through Netskope infrastructure. When users create direct integrations between cloud services, Netskope DLP cannot see or control this traffic, creating data exfiltration risks. Browser-native DLP like Oasis monitors browser-level data movement, preventing blind spots for SaaS-to-SaaS connections.

Can Netskope DLP protect data in offline scenarios?

Netskope cloud DLP provides partial coverage for offline scenarios, as it cannot enforce policies when devices are offline or when traffic doesn't flow through Netskope infrastructure. Browser-native DLP like Oasis provides browser-level data protection that works regardless of connectivity, enabling secure SaaS access in offline scenarios without requiring network-level interception.

How does Oasis complement Netskope DLP?

Oasis complements Netskope DLP by providing browser-native data protection that addresses blind spots that CASB-only enforcement creates. While Netskope DLP enforces policies across SaaS, web, and IaaS effectively, Oasis provides browser-level protection for unmanaged endpoints, shadow IT, and SaaS-to-SaaS connections that Netskope DLP cannot address.

Does Oasis require device management like Netskope endpoint DLP?

No. Oasis provides browser-native DLP that works regardless of device management status. Unlike Netskope endpoint DLP that requires device agents, Oasis enables secure SaaS access on unmanaged endpoints without requiring device management or network-level interception.

Final Thoughts: Solving Netskope DLP Blind Spots

The Netskope DLP landscape of 2025 has revealed a fundamental architectural limitation: cloud-native CASB DLP solutions enforce policies across SaaS, web, and IaaS effectively, but they create critical blind spots when traffic does not traverse Netskope infrastructure—particularly on unmanaged endpoints, direct app-to-app flows, shadow IT, and offline scenarios. Organizations need browser-native DLP that addresses these blind spots, providing comprehensive data protection regardless of network path or device management status.

For organizations evaluating DLP solutions for unmanaged endpoints, the decision comes down to priorities. If you're protecting SaaS data on unmanaged endpoints, Oasis provides browser-native DLP that works regardless of device management status. If you're dealing with shadow IT or concerned about SaaS-to-SaaS blind spots, Oasis provides browser-native protection that addresses these challenges. If you need offline and mobile coverage, Oasis provides browser-level data protection that works regardless of connectivity or device type.

Oasis provides the browser-native DLP that solves Netskope blind spots comprehensively—protecting data on unmanaged endpoints, shadow IT, and SaaS-to-SaaS connections that cloud-only enforcement cannot address. By providing browser-level data protection that works regardless of network path or device management status, Oasis enables organizations to protect SaaS data comprehensively—from unmanaged endpoints through shadow IT. Learn more about Oasis Enterprise Browser and how it solves Netskope DLP blind spots.

As the Netskope DLP landscape continues to evolve, one thing is certain: browser-native DLP is essential for comprehensive data protection. Netskope DLP may enforce policies across SaaS, web, and IaaS effectively, but enterprise browsers provide the browser-level protection that addresses blind spots on unmanaged endpoints, shadow IT, and SaaS-to-SaaS connections. Oasis, by contrast, is built for this reality—where data exfiltration happens through browser-level actions, CASB-only enforcement creates blind spots, and organizations need browser-native DLP that monitors and controls all data movement within browser sessions, regardless of network path or device management status.