Unstructured Data Security with DSPM

Unstructured data is both a vital resource and a major vulnerability. As unstructured data grows and expands across multiple environments, it becomes more challenging to protect. Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) solutions play a key role in simplifying unstructured data security.

Gartner’s 2024 Strategic Roadmap for World-Class Security of Unstructured Data urges senior security leaders to transition toward a future state where unstructured data is effectively controlled, protected, and compliant across its lifecycle. 

DSPM solutions offer a practical, forward-looking approach to simplify the complex process of securing unstructured data. This allows security teams to achieve visibility, automation and proactive defense capabilities that fit today’s dynamic risk landscape. Here’s how DSPM accelerates and simplifies the path toward secure unstructured data:

• Provides unified, comprehensive visibility across data sources

Achieving the future state begins with visibility. DSPM provides centralized, continuous mapping of unstructured data across all repositories, including cloud environments, on-premises, and hybrid storage. This panoramic view of where sensitive data resides helps security teams reduce sprawl, monitor data movement, and promptly identify vulnerabilities. By streamlining visibility, DSPM empowers security leaders with the insights needed to maintain a strong, manageable security posture over unstructured data.

• Automates data classification and sensitivity labeling

Unstructured data is harder to classify. To meet that challenge. Forcepoint DSPM’s use of AI-driven automation in the form of AI Mesh) enables real-time, accurate labeling based on content. This automated classification process ensures that sensitive data is consistently protected without manual intervention, while also aligning classifications to internal policies and regulatory standards. Security teams can then implement granular controls around labeled data, minimizing risks of accidental exposure or non-compliance.

• Provides contextualized, real-time risk insights

One of the future state's goals is proactive, risk-based security, which DSPM achieves by delivering real-time, contextual insights. Tools like our Risk-Adaptive Protection build on this by assigning risk scores based on user behaviors, access trends, and environmental factors, highlighting unusual access patterns or activities that deviate from the norm. This allows security leaders to prioritize responses based on risk impact, ensuring that high-priority threats are addressed swiftly.

• Provides streamlined access management and permissions monitoring

Managing permissions for unstructured data is challenging, especially in collaborative environments. DSPM provides granular access controls that continuously scan and monitor permissions across repositories. With this, security teams can quickly address permissions drift or risky access and ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive files. Real-time permission insights and recommendations also reduce insider threats, ensuring that security policies adapt as the environment changes.

• Paves the way for rapid detection and response capabilities

Given the pace of today’s threat landscape, quick detection and response are crucial. DSPM’s real-time monitoring capabilities detect incidents as they happen, enabling security teams to respond promptly. Integrated with SIEM and SOAR tools, DSPM can trigger alerts when it detects anomalies like unauthorized file access, data exfiltration, or unusual user behaviors. This fast, automated response aligns with the future state’s emphasis on resilience, minimizing data loss and mitigating damage before incidents escalate.

• Leads to simplified compliance and governance

With regulations such as GDPR and CCPA enforcing stringent data protection, DSPM is key to maintaining compliance. It automates data governance tasks, mapping sensitive data to compliance requirements and generating an auditable trail of data handling. This simplification not only saves time and reduces compliance costs but also ensures that regulatory obligations are met consistently. By aligning security practices with regulatory mandates, DSPM supports organizations in achieving a compliant and transparent security posture with less manual effort.

The Road to the Future State Starts with DSPM

DSPM is more than just a tool—it’s a critical asset for unstructured data security. By consolidating visibility, automation, risk-based insights, access management, rapid response, and compliance support, DSPM builds a proactive, scalable approach to protect unstructured data. 

This future-focused approach prepares organizations to adapt and grow within an increasingly complex data environment, enabling them to confidently meet the challenge of securing unstructured data. 

If your organization needs help on the path to unstructured data security, talk to one of our experts. 

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Gartner, Inc. 2024 Strategic Roadmap for World-Class Security of Unstructured Data. Joerg Fritsch, 6 May 2024.

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