Data is the lifeblood of our current world, and yet it’s largely misunderstood or undervalued. Knowing you need to use data to extract better analytics and make better decisions is one thing,
but actually knowing how to prepare it, sort it, secure it, and then finally use it is another. The good news is that every one of those processes can improve the others. Preparing data makes it easier to sort, sorting data makes it easier to secure it, and organizing your data makes it easier (and more effective) to use.
The problem is the volume. We are producing more data than ever before, and the amount is only increasing. This increasing amount of data leaves holes in your understanding of your data and your defense of it. Shadow data – data you have, but aren’t aware of – is a great example of this.
So, what’s the solution? Data security posture management. A robust DSPM solution can help you wrangle your data and finally get on top of it. Here’s how to get started today.
What Is DSPM?
A DSPM platform finds, sorts, and classifies your data across ecosystems. This means it will find all the data across your on-premises infrastructure and cloud accounts, so you have one unified view of where all your data is.
An effective DSPM can help you:
Structure your data growth, allowing you to easily monitor and contain your growing collection of information.
Find shadow data, removing potential leaks or back-door entrances to your system from data or user access you did not know you had.
Easily remain compliant by ensuring you are adhering to data policies like GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA.
Gain a comprehensive overview of all your data across the cloud and on-premises, making it easier to secure.
How to Get Started
While a robust DSPM platform will do a significant amount of the heavy lifting without an agent, there are still steps you will need to take in advance to set up your new system for success.
Inventorize Your Data Repositories
DSPM platforms can effectively hunt down shadow data, but not if it’s not connected.That’s why the first step is to pull together every cloud storage account and every SaaS platform, and any relational or NoSQL database, file server, or source code repositories that you may use.
Set Up the Data Classification Rules
Enable automated data classification and, if possible, customize them. You may need personally identifiable information (PII) encrypted, for example, if you work with known persons and need to keep their identifies fully confidential. You may need to make sure your data is compliant with a niche template for internal regulation, and so on.
Map Access Rules
Access restrictions are an essential component of improving your security infrastructure. While DSPM can automatically identify outdated or publicly accessible files, it can’t immediately know who in your staff can or cannot access datasets unless you tell it. That’s why you’ll need to map out access restrictions with role-based access control (RBAC) policies, OAuth tokens, and by noting which service accounts have access to your information.
Enable Ongoing Monitoring
DSPM systems do work around the clock, but like with any system, you need to continually check in on it and update it so that it continues to work effectively. Data environments constantly change, for example. You need to update the system when you add a new SaaS or cloud account or onboard a new employee.