The Data X-Ray Advantage in Your DSPM Strategy

Since Gartner introduced the term 'Data Security Posture Management' (DSPM) in its 2022 Hype Cycle for Data Security report, the imperative to continuously discover, assess, and manage an organization's data security posture has taken center stage. Why? Because organizations are now storing data in diverse locations, including on-premises, in the cloud, and in hybrid environments, all while facing an escalating threat of cyberattacks and the growing need to meet data privacy regulations. Prioritizing DSPM is no longer a choice, it's a necessity. In this context, Data X-Ray is empowering healthcare, financial enterprises, and government agencies to delve into their unstructured data and elevate their data security posture. But before we dive into that, let's quickly grasp the essence of DSPM.

Why DSPM Matters

DSPM represents a paradigm shift in data security. It places data protection at the forefront, over traditional network and system security. Aligned with evolving security frameworks and data protection regulations, it tackles fundamental questions organizations must address:

• Data Discovery: The initial challenge involves locating files or sensitive data within your organization, ensuring you know where this data resides.

• Access Control: Understanding who has access to sensitive files, and at what permission levels? Ensuring that only authorized personnel have access is crucial.

• Data Lineage: Knowing how data transforms over time, and who interacts with it, will allow you to maintain data integrity.

• Misconfigurations: Vulnerabilities can hide in data environments. Identifying these vulnerabilities and finding effective ways to address them is a cornerstone of a robust DSPM strategy.

Data Security Posture Management Process

To effectively secure data, DSPM follows a three-step process:

Data Discovery: In this phase of DSPM, your mission is to pinpoint and catalog all your data assets, whether structured or unstructured. Picture it as creating a comprehensive inventory that includes data stored on-premises, in the cloud, and in hybrid setups. After locating all data, categorize them based on their sensitivity.

Data Risk Detection: Next, uncover potential risks in your data assets. Scan for both known and hidden threats. Examine your systems and applications for vulnerabilities, map user access, and track data lineage. Once identified, prioritize and create an action plan.

Remediation: The final step in the DSPM process is all about action and resolution. This could involve implementing new security measures, patching vulnerabilities, or providing your team with insights into security best practices. It's the stage where you lock shields around your data assets and fortify your defenses, ensuring that your data remains safeguarded.

Now, as we transition into the role of Data X-Ray in enhancing DSPM strategies, let us explore how this solution can revolutionize your data security practices.

Unifying DSPM's Core Capabilities with Data X-Ray

Gartner emphasizes the importance of unifying data controls for meaningful insights and risk management. This is where Data X-Ray steps in, enhancing DSPM by providing deeper intelligence and visibility into an organization's unstructured data landscape.

Here are four specific ways that Data X-Ray can help you enhance your organization’s data security:

1 - Discover Unknown Data: Data X-Ray can scan your cloud and email platforms to locate all unstructured data, from emails to financial documents, providing a comprehensive view of your data, even if it's distributed across multiple platforms.

2 - Effortless Data Classification: Data X-Ray utilizes natural language processing and a regular expression-based system to automatically identify and classify files containing sensitive information, such as PII, PCI, and HIPAA data. It also offers insights into your data sources, enabling you to prioritize and implement the necessary security measures.

3 - Proactive File Monitoring: Extend your monitoring capabilities to track who accesses sensitive data and govern data across all lakes and repositories, identify suspicious file access and activity behavior, and respond swiftly. Prevent potential damage to your organization by restricting access in advance.

4 - Automated Remediation at Scale: Data X-Ray automates selective anonymization of sensitive data in unstructured files without affecting the originals.