Which type of monitoring system is designed to stop unauthorized users from accessing or downloading sensitive data?

The type of monitoring system designed specifically to stop unauthorized users from accessing or downloading sensitive data is Data Loss Prevention (DLP). DLP technologies are focused on ensuring that sensitive data remains secure and is not improperly accessed or transmitted outside of authorized environments. They often utilize policies and rules to identify and mitigate risks associated with data leakage, employing techniques such as content inspection, contextual analysis, and user behavior tracking to prevent data breaches before they occur.

In contrast, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) primarily focus on monitoring network traffic and detecting potential security breaches or attacks but do not actively prevent unauthorized access or data loss. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems aggregate and analyze security data from various sources to provide insights and reporting but are not primarily designed to control data access. Firewalls serve as barriers that control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules, and while they can restrict access to some extent, they do not specifically target the protection of sensitive data from being downloaded or accessed by unauthorized users.