BY RYAN TULLY
November 1, 2023
Data is the lifeblood of the modern digital age. It fuels businesses, drives innovation, and connects people across the globe.
However, with the ever-increasing importance of data comes the equally pressing need to protect it, especially in the face of stringent privacy laws and regulations.
To safeguard sensitive data and comply with these laws, organizations are turning to Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) frameworks, a critical tool for addressing compliance requirements.
In this blog post, we’ll outline a five-step process you need to create a DSPM framework that aligns with privacy laws compliance.
Understanding Data Security Posture Management (DSPM)
Before diving into the creation of a DSPM framework, let’s define what DSPM is according to Gartner’s perspective: “DSPM provides visibility as to where sensitive data is, who has access to that data, how it has been used, and what the security posture of the data store or application is.”
This definition underscores the fundamental concept that DSPM is data centric. It focuses on the context and content of the data being identified and protected, placing a particular emphasis on safeguarding sensitive records such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or medical records.
In essence, DSPM allows you to gain insights into where sensitive data is, who has access to it, how it’s used, and its overall security status.
Building a DSPM Framework
5 Key Components of a DSPM Framework
1. Data Discovery: The first step in creating a DSPM framework is to identify where sensitive data resides within your organization. This involves conducting a thorough audit of data storage systems, repositories, and databases. Some of the most critical data live in SaaS like chats, internal emails, a CRM with customer and employee data, or even in employee personal drives.
Accurate data discovery is crucial for effective data security.
2. Data Classification: Once you’ve identified sensitive data, the next step is to classify it. Data classification involves categorizing data based on its level of sensitivity. This step ensures that different data types receive appropriate levels of protection.
For instance, you can ensure that only certain employees have access to data labeled as “sensitive” or “confidential.”
By classifying data, it becomes much easier to track certain data sets when necessary, and it also makes it easier for security teams to make sense of all data at hand. Your team should be able to connect with and get a clear picture of your organization’s data landscape. Understanding everything from where it’s stored to how accessible it is, makes it easier for security leads to be proactive and protect sensitive data from potential security threats.
3. Govern Privacy Risks: Governance is a critical component of DSPM. It involves defining policies, procedures, and controls to manage privacy risks effectively. Privacy governance ensures that data is handled in compliance with applicable privacy laws and regulations.
Your organization will also need to create a risk management strategy, along with processes and procedures that have assigned roles and responsibilities for everything from day-to-day tasks to events such as a data breach.
4. Education and Training: An essential part of maintaining a strong DSPM framework is educating your workforce. Conduct training sessions to make employees aware of data security best practices and the importance of complying with privacy laws.
5. Real-Time Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of data and access is vital to the success of a DSPM framework. Real-time monitoring enables quick response to any potential security breaches or unauthorized data access — are essential to remaining proactive and complying with data privacy laws.
Why Do You Need a DSPM Framework?
Enterprises today handle vast amounts of sensitive data, making them prime targets for cyberattacks and regulatory scrutiny. A DSPM framework is essential for several reasons:
Compliance: With a DSPM framework in place, organizations can ensure compliance with privacy laws and regulations, avoiding costly fines and reputational damage.
Data Protection: By identifying and securing sensitive data, organizations can minimize data breaches and protect the privacy of their customers and employees.
Risk Management: DSPM allows organizations to proactively manage and mitigate privacy risks, reducing the likelihood of data breaches and associated costs.
Operational Efficiency: Effective data management through DSPM improves operational efficiency by streamlining data access and reducing the risk of data loss.
Reputation Management: Protecting sensitive data and complying with privacy laws enhances an organization’s reputation and builds trust among stakeholders.
How Building a DSPM Framework Helps Anticipate Future Regulation
The regulatory landscape is continually evolving. New privacy laws and data protection regulations emerge regularly. By having a DSPM framework in place, organizations can anticipate and adapt to these changes more effectively:
Scalability: A well-designed DSPM framework is flexible and scalable, allowing organizations to incorporate new regulations seamlessly.
Continuous Monitoring: Real-time monitoring provided by DSPM systems ensures that organizations can quickly adapt to changes in security and privacy requirements.
Data Localization: Some regulations may require data to be stored within specific geographic regions. A DSPM framework assists in identifying the location of data, simplifying compliance.
Data Retention: Regulations often dictate how long data can be retained. A DSPM framework helps organizations establish and enforce data retention policies.
Leveraging DSPM Solutions like Spirion
Creating a Data Security Posture Management Framework may seem like a daunting task, but there are tools available to streamline the process.
Solutions like Spirion, a comprehensive DSPM platform, are designed to help organizations identify and protect sensitive data efficiently. Some of the benefits of Spirion include:
– Automated Data Discovery: Spirion’s advanced capabilities help organizations quickly and accurately discover sensitive data within their infrastructure.
– Data Classification: Spirion provides tools to automatically classify data, making it easier to implement proper protection measures.
– Real-time Monitoring: With Spirion, organizations can continuously monitor data access and usage, enabling rapid response to any anomalies.
– Compliance Reporting: Spirion assists in generating compliance reports, making it easier to demonstrate adherence to privacy laws during audits.
– Scalability: Spirion’s solutions can adapt to the evolving needs of your organization and the changing privacy landscape.
So now you understand why building a comprehensive DSPM Framework is essential for organizations looking to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with privacy laws.
With the right framework and solutions like Spirion, you can navigate the complex world of data privacy with confidence and security.
