---
title: "Locke vs Cloud-Based Data Loss Prevention"
description: "Cloud DLP inspects outbound traffic server-side. Locke detects sensitive data on the device before any prompt is sent. When each approach fits — and where they overlap."
url: "https://sonomos.ai/compare/sonomos-vs-cloud-dlp/"
source: "https://sonomos.ai/compare/sonomos-vs-cloud-dlp/"
---

# Locke vs Cloud-Based Data Loss Prevention

Cloud DLP inspects traffic at a corporate gateway or through API hooks into sanctioned apps. It's mature for email, file shares and managed SaaS. AI chat is the awkward case: prompts rarely route through the gateway, and by the time a server can inspect one, it has left the user's device.

## When Cloud-based DLP platforms fits

- You already operate a corporate proxy or CASB and need to extend coverage to a sanctioned set of SaaS apps.
- Your compliance program requires central policy enforcement and an auditable inspection record on every transmission.
- Your AI usage is funnelled through a single approved provider that exposes admin APIs.

## When Locke fits

- Users routinely paste sensitive content into AI chat boxes that are not on your sanctioned list.
- You cannot route every browser session through a proxy without breaking workflows or trust.
- You want detection to happen before the data leaves the device, not after.

## Side-by-side

| Dimension | Locke | Cloud DLP |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Where inspection runs | On the device, before any network call. | On a server-side gateway, after data leaves the endpoint. |
| Coverage of unsanctioned AI tools | Works on supported browser-based AI chats by default. | Limited to apps the gateway proxies or has API hooks for. |
| Trust model | Zero-knowledge: vendor never sees prompt content. | Vendor inspects prompt content to enforce policy. |
| Deployment | Locke Early Access desktop app: minutes per user. | Network/identity integration: weeks to months. |
| Best for | AI-specific prompt leakage in regulated workflows. | Broad enterprise DLP across email, files, and managed SaaS. |

## Bottom line

Cloud DLP is the right call for broad enterprise data flows. Locke is the right call for AI prompts, the newest exfiltration channel and one that usually skips your gateway.

[Download Locke](https://sonomos.ai/downloads/)[See the Locke demo](https://sonomos.ai/locke/#demo)[See pricing](https://sonomos.ai/pricing/)[Talk to the team](https://sonomos.ai/contact/)

## Related comparisons

- [Locke vs Enterprise Privacy Platforms](https://sonomos.ai/compare/sonomos-vs-enterprise-privacy/)
- [Locke vs AI API Gateways and Proxies](https://sonomos.ai/compare/sonomos-vs-ai-gateway/)
- [Locke vs VPN and Zero Trust Network Access](https://sonomos.ai/compare/sonomos-vs-vpn-zero-trust/)

[View all comparisons](https://sonomos.ai/compare/)

## Further reading

- [The Best AI Privacy Tools for ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini (2026)](https://sonomos.ai/blog/best-ai-privacy-tools-chatgpt-claude-gemini-2026/)
- [AI Data Leakage: 7 Ways Sensitive Information Escapes to LLMs (and How to Stop It)](https://sonomos.ai/blog/ai-data-leakage-7-ways-sensitive-info-escapes-to-llms/)
- [What Is PII Redaction? A Plain-English Guide for AI Users](https://sonomos.ai/blog/what-is-pii-redaction-ai/)