DSPM stands for “data security posture management.” It is a process and framework that helps organizations manage and enhance the security posture of the data store they own. It involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating data-related risks, including data leakage, across both on-premises and cloud environments. 

DSPM tools provide continuous monitoring, compliance auditing, risk management, and remediation strategies to protect sensitive data (across both structured and unstructured data) and ensure regulatory compliance. You can read more about it in our guide to data security posture management.

Why should I use DSPM?

You should use DSPM to enhance your organization’s data security by continuously monitoring for data security risks. DSPM gives you visibility into where sensitive data resides and how it might be compromised. It helps identify and mitigate risks, ensures compliance with regulations, enforces security policies, and provides actionable insights to prevent data breaches, thereby safeguarding data at risk and maintaining regulatory compliance.

How does DSPM protect sensitive data?

DSPM starts with data identification and mapping, which tells you where all your data is, across cloud data stores. It then goes on to classify sensitive data and monitor how it is used. The platform will also assess the security policies in place to protect this data. It also looks at who has access to that data. It then modifies and automates security policies to mitigate data vulnerabilities and compliance violations. As a result, it proactively enforces data security and privacy, which helps your security and mitigates data risk.

How is DSPM different from cloud security posture management (CSPM)?

DSPM focuses on managing data security for both on-premises and cloud environments, emphasizing discovery, classification, and protection of sensitive data. CSPM, on the other hand, is specifically concerned with the security of data within cloud environments, addressing configuration management, compliance, and risk management within cloud infrastructure. While DSPM covers a broader scope including data security policies and risk assessments, CSPM focuses primarily on securing cloud-specific assets and configurations. 

What are the different types of data?

In DSPM and data security, data may be typically categorized into:

• Structured Data: Organized in fixed formats, such as databases (e.g., customer records, financial data).
• Unstructured Data: Lacks a predefined structure, such as emails, documents, and multimedia files.
• Sensitive Data: Includes personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), and financial data, which require strict security measures to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.