What is Data Security Posture Management?

Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) is a cybersecurity methodology and technology that identifies and secures sensitive data. There are specific technologies that support DSPM that are capable of continuously scanning, discovering, and classifying data.

DSPM is considered a data-first approach to building a robust security posture. Rather than securing devices and identities, DSPM focuses on finding and protecting data. However, DSPM doesn’t usually work alone; it complements other security technologies.

Additionally, focusing on data isn’t just about security; and it’s also about compliance. DSPM helps admins identify all data across the IT ecosystem and implement remediation actions to enhance compliance standing and security posture.

The modern IT ecosystem spans on-premise systems, public and private cloud environments, and hybrid systems; it’s become increasingly complex to stay aware of every byte of data and protect it appropriately. Unlocking the full data context in the form of metadata helps provide visibility into how data has been used alongside ensuring audit trails.

IBM’s study on data breaches in 2023 found that 82% of data breaches involved data stored in cloud environments, while 39% involved data spread across different computing environments, such as public cloud, hybrid, and on-premise.

You must secure the entire data estate or risk a data breach from several possible attack vectors. So, we’ll explore why DSPM is so important for modern businesses, how it works, and best practices for getting started — keep reading to remain secure and compliant.

Why DSPM Is Mission-Critical

Other security technologies focus on preventing unauthorized access to IT assets by leveraging several technologies to detect and block any suspicious behavior from user accounts, APIs, or IoT devices. 

However, the widespread adoption of cloud computing, Agile development, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) have led to data-related security risks that other technologies don’t always address. The result: companies may still be at risk of data breaches and penalties for non-compliance.

One of the main risks overlooked by other security technologies is shadow data, which is copied, backed up, or otherwise replicated in other areas and not monitored by the same security processes as other data. This can occur throughout normal operations and isn’t usually malicious, yet it opens the door for a breach.

Lastly, the growing demand for AI and ML modeling can significantly contribute to shadow data when data is used for training. Data that isn’t properly removed or sanitized may be housed in unsecured systems or even accessible to users in the resulting model.

It’s of the utmost importance to establish and continually refine data security posture management to stay protected and compliant.

How Does DSPM work?

DSPM has four cyclical steps that make sure an organization’s entire data estate is properly protected according to overarching security policies. While the specific implementation of these steps might vary between platforms and implementation, all four are the backbone of a stock DSPM program.

So, let’s explore these steps and how they work together to accomplish DSPM’s goals.

1. Data Discovery

You can’t protect data you don’t know about. Data discovery calls for continuously scanning the IT ecosystem for new or overlooked data. Platforms that provide data discovery work similar to an anti-virus, scanning the entire system for data that must be classified and protected.

Data discovery needs to be capable of finding all types of data, such as structured and unstructured data. Other data types, such as data stored on mainframes, must also be accessible to data discovery tools; otherwise, it may end up being overlooked.

Mainframe data poses a unique challenge due to the unique data type they use. Implementing a data discovery solution able to access mainframes further enhances DSPM and enables Mainframe Security Posture Management (MSPM).

Unlike other security measures, DSPM solutions don’t usually require installing an app on every device or throughout the infrastructure. Instead, data discovery is able to access data throughout the network and begin the next step — classification. Additionally, discovering data ensures it can only be accessed by authorized users.

2. Data Classification

The next step begins once data that isn’t currently classified is discovered. This step involves intelligent systems capable of understanding the data being analyzed and then assigning it to the correct classification category.

Classification is all about categorization, assigning data to predefined categories based on the protections they require. Common categories for classification are:

• Public data
• Personal Identifiable Information (PII)
• Confidential
• Trade secrets
• Other categories pertaining to your operations

Based on these categories, security policies will determine who should be able to access the data, how it should be handled, and if it’s subject to any compliance regulations. Categorizing data allows for overarching access controls based on security protocols, further reducing the risk of a data breach due to employees having a higher level of access than they need.

3. Risk Assessment and Prioritization

DSPM platforms and processes emphasize ongoing risk assessments in the context of data, rather than overarching risk assessments with a broader scope.

These types of risk assessments evaluate the systems involved with data protection, including how data is captured, secured in transit, and protected while at rest.

There are several common areas of concern for risk assessments, which include the following:

• Overpermissioning: This issue can occur when users have more access or permissions than necessary for their specific job roles. Overpermissioning is often caused by misconfigurations, but not always, as permissions might be escalated by a malicious actor by exploiting a vulnerability. Another cause is when temporary permissions aren’t revoked.
• Misconfigurations: The sprawling IT landscape is ripe for misconfigurations that enable attacks. There are plenty of specific ways this can occur, but they all have the same result: data is not protected as well as it’s supposed to be. Misconfiguration in cloud data storage environments is a common way malicious attackers can compromise systems.
• Insufficient security policies: DSPM platforms map data categories to your data security policies and are typically informed by compliance requirements and security risks. As a result, if these security policies are ineffective or improperly implemented, data security will suffer.

There are certainly other risks to consider during an assessment, but it’s important to keep the focus on data security rather than the entire IT ecosystem as with other risk assessments.

4. Remediation and Prevention

As vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and other risks are identified, remediation efforts will follow soon after. The goal of these efforts is to remove the possibility of a successful attack or losing compliance standing.

Some DSPM platforms provide a dashboard when a potential data protection issue is identified and can automatically assign it to DevOps or security for remediation. Many platforms even provide recommendations for how to fix found issues.

The purpose of this last step in the cycle is to prevent the possibility of a successful data breach or failing a compliance audit. Proactive correct actions help keep data secure without relying on a costly event to show your flaws.

DSPM platforms will perpetually monitor data and systems that store or transmit data for possible issues, trigger an alert for administrators, and help prevent future data breaches or non-compliance. The right platform will also keep you aware of any issues with access control so correct actions can update necessary policies.

Key Business Benefits of DSPM

We’ve touched on a few of the benefits of adopting and refining a DSPM platform and related processes. Still, it’s well worth diving deeper into how enhancing your data security posture can benefit your business — so let’s explore these key business benefits.

Reduced Risk of Data Breaches

Bolstering your data security posture directly reduces the risk of data breaches in a few ways, such as:

• Identifying shadow data that may otherwise be unsecured or poorly secured.
• Preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data, either due to misconfigurations or over permissions.
• Ongoing risk assessments focusing on data remove possible risks that may otherwise enable an attack.

While adopting new platforms and training personnel to use them does represent new operating expenses, avoiding a devastating security breach is well worth the investment. Additionally, data on mainframes may not be properly secured without an effective discovery platform — the right DSPM processes should include the unique data types used by mainframes.

Maintain Compliance

Modern organizations face more regulatory requirements than ever before, and new regulations are still being passed and will be enforced. Staying compliant with the growing landscape of requirements is no small task, and effective data security is critical to many far-reaching compliance regulations.

Data discovery and classification are critical for maintaining compliance as you can protect all data throughout the IT ecosystem. On top of knowing where all your data lives, you’ll also be ready to provide audit trails that demonstrate that only authorized users are able to access sensitive data. Understanding the entire context behind data goes far in ensuring ongoing compliance, along with enabling greater decision making.

Reduce Attack Surface with Data Discovery

Data is highly valuable, regulated, and a prized target for cyber attackers. DSPM’s emphasis on a data-first approach helps improve security by discovering data that may have been overlooked, copied, or used in AI/ML training models and improperly handled.

You’ll reduce your organization’s attack surface by discovering data throughout your IT ecosystem and applying necessary security protocols. Otherwise, your attack surface may be wider than you know due to data living in areas you’re not actively securing.

Your Data Needs Rapid and Effective Data Discovery and Classification

Ultimately, an effective DSPM platform and related processes put your company data front and center, helping bolster security and remain compliant throughout operations. Securing company data begins with effective data discovery and classification. Then, data is protected based on its category, inheriting the right level of protection and security according to company policies.

Inventa by 1touch unlocks a profound level of data discovery and classification, ensuring that all data throughout the IT ecosystem is found and secured. Don’t invite the risks that come with shadow data, which might enable breaches and penalties for non-compliance.

Is it time to embrace a data-first approach to securing company data? Book a demo today to learn more about how Inventa helps protect every byte in your data estate.