Why Any Organization Prioritizing Data Security Should Pay Attention to DSPM

By Josh Breaker-Rolfe

Data security should be a priority for any organization. Not only is data one of your most valuable assets – helping to improve assets, develop new ideas and technologies, and even drive revenue – but failing to secure data properly can have serious consequences. IBM’s most recent Cost of a Data Breach Report revealed that the global average cost of a data breach is a staggering $4.88m, while research published in Security Magazine found that 60% of consumers would avoid a retailer post-breach.

Although there are many data security tools on the market, one stands out: Data Security Posture Management (DSPM). While they are a relatively recent addition to the data security landscape, these tools are fast becoming essential for organizations seeking to manage and secure data spread across complex IT environments. Let’s look at why.

DSPM: A Modern Solution for a Complex World

First introduced by Gartner in its 2022 Hype Cycle for Data Security, DSPM solutions emerged from modern IT environments’ inherent complexity and diversity.

In recent years, organizations have increasingly adopted technologies, such as cloud-based services, APIs, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML), to improve productivity, reduce costs, and foster collaboration. However, adopting these technologies has increased the risks to data and complicated data security.

The problem is that most organizations today store data across multiple environments, platforms, and applications. This means that keeping track of and, hence, securing this data has become increasingly difficult.

DSPM solutions allow these organizations to gain visibility into their data, who has access to it, how it has been used, and the security posture of their data stores or applications. They automatically identify and classify potential risks and vulnerabilities, implement security controls to mitigate them, and monitor the organization’s security posture to ensure it is robust and effective.

Carrying out these tasks manually would be a laborious and resource-intensive process that is often more than overstretched security teams can handle. Many modern organizations face this problem—research from ISC2 suggests that there is a workforce gap of 4.8 million globally.

The 6 Core Capabilities of DSPM

DSPM solutions carry out six key functions to improve data security. They are:

  • Data Discovery: These tools automatically identify and inventory all data across an organization’s infrastructure, including cloud data and on-premises environments.
  • Data Classification: By classifying data according to sensitivity and compliance with regulations, DSPM tools help organizations understand their most critical assets and allocate resources accordingly.
  • Risk Assessment and Prioritization: DSPM solutions identify vulnerabilities and threats as well as data. This further informs resource allocation, helping organizations identify the data and data stores most in need of attention.
  • Configuration and Policy Management: Misconfigurations and inconsistently enforced policies are common in complex IT environments – DSPM tools scan for these issues so security teams can remediate them.
  • Reporting and Alerting: DSPM tools provide security teams with detailed reports and dashboards that offer visibility into an organization’s data security posture.
  • Remediation and Prevention: Perhaps the most helpful aspect of DSPM is that it doesn’t just identify security issues; it provides actionable advice for remediating them.

The Emerging DSPM Market

As noted, DSPM is a relatively new technology, and the market is still in its infancy. However, it is maturing remarkably quickly. In its Hype Cycle for Data Security 2022, Gartner stated that DSPM had a market penetration of less than one percent. But this is set to change. Last year, Gartner predicted that “by 2026, more than 20% of organizations will deploy DSPM technology due to the urgent requirements to identify and locate previously unknown data repositories and to mitigate associated security and privacy risks.”

As the DSPM market matures, it’s worth monitoring resources like the Gartner Peer Insights page. These resources will help you track new vendors and technologies and understand the performance and customer satisfaction rates of the various available solutions. When you do come to make a purchase decision, this information will prove invaluable.

Considerations for Choosing a DSPM Tool

If or when you do decide to purchase a DSPM tool, it’s essential to be aware of the different types of DSPM solutions. You must consider the following:

  • Coverage Across Data Services: A DSPM tool must protect data across cloud platforms, on-premises systems, and hybrid environments. It should integrate seamlessly with various data sources, secure structured and unstructured data, and address unique challenges in multi-cloud, legacy, and hybrid architectures.
  • Data Analysis Location:
    • On-Premises Analysis: Offers enhanced control and compliance but requires significant infrastructure and expertise.
    • Cloud-Based Analysis: Scalable and cost-efficient but introduces potential privacy risks.
    • Hybrid Models: Combine security for sensitive data with cloud scalability but may be complex to manage.
  • Permissions Management: Granular access controls are essential. A strong DSPM tool should enforce least-privilege policies, support role-based and attribute-based controls, and offer:
    • Dynamic Management: Adjust permissions as roles and data sensitivity evolve.
    • Monitoring & Auditing: Track access and alert on anomalies.
    • Automated Remediation: Detect and resolve access issues with minimal manual intervention.
  • Alignment With Business Needs: The chosen DSPM tool should meet the organization’s specific security, compliance, and operational requirements. Evaluating features like integration with IAM systems and peer insights (e.g., Gartner reviews) helps ensure the solution aligns with business goals.

Looking Ahead

Why Any Organization Prioritizing Data Security Should Pay Attention to DSPM – DSPM is a powerful solution for any organization prioritizing data security. Hopefully, this article will have helped you understand the technology, why it’s important, and how to choose a DSPM tool. Even if you’re not ready to purchase a solution, they’re worth keeping an eye on.

About the author:

JoshJosh is a Content writer at Bora. He graduated with a degree in Journalism in 2021 and has a background in cybersecurity PR. He’s written on a wide range of topics, from AI to Zero Trust, and is particularly interested in the impacts of cybersecurity on the wider economy.