What is Data Security Posture Management?

Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) refers to the various policies, tools, and practices used to mitigate the security challenges associated with data. It represents a major facet of data security and enables organizations to protect their data against attacks and other threats. With an increasing amount of sensitive data in the cloud and spread across networks and devices, organizations need to ensure that they strengthen their security posture.

DSPM means managing data security from many different sources, focusing on protecting the data itself rather than simply securing perimeters or systems. This accounts for the continuing growth of cloud computing, which is creating attack surfaces that cannot be contained or protected by traditional security perimeters.

DSPM’s insight includes the location of sensitive data, the users who have access to that data, how data is used, and its security posture. DSPM analyzes data flow to provide information regarding data moving within an organization and what puts that data at risk.

Significant aspects of DSPM include:

• Data discovery: Detecting and identifying sensitive data stored within cloud environments.
• Data classification: Categorizing data according to potential risk level and prioritizing particularly sensitive data, such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII)What is Personally Identifiable Information (PII)? Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is data that can be used to distinguish an individual’s identity. These can include identifiers that pinpoint the person exactly,… or Protected Health Information (PHI)What is PHI?Protected Health Information (PHI) is any identifying material that relates to an individual’s past, present or future health. This can include medical history, diagnoses, lab results, medication lists,….
• Risk analysis: Analyzing the flow of data to identify risks and vulnerabilities, like lax user privileges or data leakage.
• Security control implementation: Enforcing security policies and practices regarding access permissions, encryptionWhat is Encryption? Encryption converts readable data (plaintext) into a scrambled and unreadable format (ciphertext) using an algorithm and a key. The primary purpose of encryption is to ensure the…, and other key factors.
• Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of data flow to identify aberrant behavior that could indicate vulnerabilities.
• Security incident response: Enabling organizations to identify compromised data and contain breaches.

The Importance of Data Security Posture Management

It has become more and more essential for organizations to invest in and prioritize DSPM as cloud-native and cloud-centric data storage has grown in popularity. Traditional measures protecting systems, networks, or devices are insufficient to prevent data leaks and breaches. DSPM is a crucial tool for data protectionWhat is Data Protection? Data protection refers to the practice of safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. It involves implementing policies, procedures, and technologies to ensure…, as it prioritizes and centers the security of the data itself.

The range of cybersecurity incidents that can endanger sensitive data, from ransomwareWhat is Ransomware? Ransomware is a type of cyberattack in which the attacker infects a computer with malicious software that encrypts the victim’s data. The computer usually becomes locked, presenting… attacks to accidental data leakage, is broad and can be daunting. This is why it is important to utilize a data protection strategy that focuses on securing the data rather than simply fending off threats from every angle. Data breaches and leaks are increasing both in number and severity, and data-centric security is necessary to prevent the extensive costs and damages of compromised data.

The Future of Data Security Posture Management

DSPM is a relatively new development in data security, as the increase in cloud storage and computing, artificial intelligence and machine learningWhat is Machine Learning? Machine learning is a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that involves the development of algorithms and models that enable computers to make predictions or decisions based…, and remote and hybrid working environments have made it more and more difficult to secure data using traditional methods. DSPM will likely continue to improve and grow in popularity as the need for focused data security increases and DSPM capabilities are refined and expanded.

Issues affecting the future of DSPM include the need for dynamic monitoring, post-quantum encryption, and more advanced vulnerability and risk analysis. With organizations investing in security solutions and measures, the protection of their sensitive data will always be a top priority, meaning that DSPM is going to continue being an important and effective measure against data compromise.

To learn about other important cybersecurity terms, read our blog, 50+ Essential Cybersecurity Acronyms & Definitions.