Why Every Company Needs a DSPM Strategy in 2024

By Kirsten Doyle

Data has become every business’s most critical asset—and its most concerning vulnerability. With increasing regulatory scrutiny, rising cyber threats, and the exponential growth of cloud adoption, companies must reimagine how they protect their sensitive information.

This is where Data Security Posture Management (DSPM)— a transformative approach to identifying, monitoring, and mitigating risks across the modern data ecosystem—comes in.

In 2024, having a DSPM strategy is no longer a competitive advantage; it’s a necessity. Here’s why every company, regardless of industry, needs to implement a DSPM strategy and how it can help secure data in an era of escalating complexity.

The Expanding Threat Landscape

The global surge in cyberattacks targeting data highlights the need for robust defenses. Ransomware alone accounted for 30% of breaches in 2023, with malefactors increasingly exploiting misconfigured cloud storage, shadow IT, and unsecured APIs.

Conventional methods of securing data, like perimeter-focused security, fall flat when it comes to addressing the decentralized and dynamic nature of modern data flows. Fortunately, this is where DSPM steps in by arming entities with end-to-end visibility into their data security posture.

Unlike static tools that focus on snapshots of risk, DSPM continuously monitors for vulnerabilities, offering a proactive defense against breaches.

Regulatory Pressures Drive Adoption

The regulatory landscape is tightening, with global frameworks like the GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA imposing eye-watering fines for non-compliance. In the United States, new rules such as SEC’s cybersecurity disclosure requirements mandate transparency around data protection measures.

DSPM aligns perfectly with these mandates by helping firms to:

Identify sensitive data across environments.
Apply consistent access controls and encryption.
Demonstrate compliance with real-time reporting and automated workflows.

A well-executed DSPM strategy not only prevents companies from falling foul of regulators but also strengthens their reputation as a responsible data steward.

Cloud Complexity Demands a New Approach

As businesses scale their cloud infrastructures, they grapple with an explosion of data living in hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Misconfigurations, usually unintentional, are one of the leading causes of cloud-based breaches. Gartner estimates that by 2025, 99% of cloud failures will be the customer’s fault, primarily due to misconfigurations.

DSPM platforms are purpose-built to address these challenges. By using the power of Machine Learning (ML), they can map data flows across fragmented environments, flag inconsistencies, and recommend remediation steps. This capability is key for protecting sensitive data even as it moves between on-premises systems, cloud storage, and third-party services.

DSPM vs. Traditional Security Tools

Many entities mistakenly assume their existing tools, such as Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) or Data Loss Prevention (DLP), are good enough to secure their data. While these tools are useful, DSPM goes beyond their abilities by focusing specifically on the data itself, not just its surrounding infrastructure.

Key differentiators of DSPM include:

Data-Centric Visibility: DSPM solutions scan and classify data at rest and in transit, providing granular insights into what data is sensitive, where it’s stored, and who can access it.
Risk Prioritization: Advanced analytics enable companies to prioritize vulnerabilities based on the sensitivity and exposure of data, ensuring resources are allocated effectively.
Continuous Monitoring: Unlike periodic audits, DSPM offers ongoing oversight, reducing the window of opportunity for attackers.

Actionable Insights for Risk Management

One of the most compelling benefits of DSPM is its ability to transform raw data into actionable insights. Modern platforms integrate seamlessly with security ecosystems like SIEM, SOAR, and IAM to automate incident response. For instance:

A DSPM tool identifies unencrypted customer data in a misconfigured database.
The integration triggers an automatic response, encrypting the data and notifying stakeholders.

These workflows limit the likelihood of human error and ensure that risks are addressed in time.

Future-Proofing Against Emerging Threats

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ML evolve, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. DSPM leverages AI to stay ahead of these threats, using predictive analytics to anticipate potential vulnerabilities and emerging attack vectors.

This forward-looking approach is particularly valuable as organizations integrate generative AI into their operations, which introduces new risks related to intellectual property theft and model training data security. A DSPM strategy ensures that sensitive data fueling these innovations is protected from both external threats and internal mismanagement.

Key Steps for Building a DSPM Strategy

To implement an effective DSPM strategy, businesses should focus on the following steps:

Conduct a Data Inventory: Begin by identifying all sensitive data, including structured and unstructured formats, and mapping where it resides.
Classify and Prioritize: Use DSPM tools to categorize data based on its sensitivity, regulatory requirements, and business value.
Implement Access Controls: Verify that only authorized personnel can access sensitive information, applying the principle of least privilege.
Automate Monitoring: Leverage DSPM platforms for continuous monitoring, anomaly detection, and risk remediation.
Integrate with Security Ecosystems: Connect DSPM tools with existing security solutions to enhance collaboration and streamline workflows.

The Time to Act is Now

The urgency to adopt DSPM cannot be overstated. With data volumes expected to reach 180 zettabytes by 2025, the risks associated with data mismanagement will only increase, and those who fail to act risk financial losses, reputational damage, and costly penalties.

Moreover, DSPM is quickly becoming a market expectation. Gartner’s latest Innovation Insight Report identifies DSPM as a key investment area for CISOs looking to modernize their data security strategies. As more firms adopt these solutions, those without DSPM strategies risk falling behind both in security and competitiveness.

The question is no longer if your company needs DSPM—it’s how soon you can implement it.