Cloud adoption is great—we're not debating that. Cloud service providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud have granted organizations worldwide greater scalability, flexibility, and opportunities for collaboration. However, they have also increased security complexity, with most organizations having unused, unknown data repositories that cybercriminals could exploit.
This is where data security posture management (DSPM) tools come in. A relatively new concept, first coined by Gartner in 2022, DSPM is an instrumental tool for security data in increasingly complex cloud environments. While Gartner has not yet published a Magic Quadrant for DSPM, the research and advisory firm has released an “Insight Innovation” report into the technology. So, without further ado, let’s explore what it reveals about the future of data security.
What is DSPM?
According to Gartner, DSPM helps organizations discover, monitor, and secure their data across CSPs, Software as a Service (SaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) platforms. It offers visibility into data flows and helps uncover "shadow data"—information stored in overlooked or unknown repositories that could pose security risks if left unsecured.
DSPM also provides organizations with automated capabilities to map data assets, track data residency, and ensure compliance with security regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), contributing to its growing importance in the cloud security landscape.
The Rise of DSPM and its Role in Data Protection
As noted, the increasing complexity of cloud environments has resulted in a surge of data repositories, many of which need to be updated, discovered, and exposed. According to Gartner, traditional security solutions typically fail to discover these repositories and secure the data that resides within them. DSPM, however, protects known data while discovering unprotected or misconfigured data sources.
The most important role DSPM plays in data security is helping companies assess their overall security posture, establish their data security, locate vulnerabilities, and determine compliance with relevant data security regulations and standards. It works best alongside cloud security posture management (CSPM), an oft-confused technology that focuses on weaknesses in cloud infrastructure.
Benefits of DSPM
While the primary benefit of DSPM is discovering and securing potentially unknown data in cloud environments, Gartner lists three more specific benefits and uses it expects security and risk management leaders to glean from the technology:
- Data Mapping: DSPM solutions stand out by enabling detailed mapping of data repositories’ geographic locations, uncovering hidden repositories, detecting misconfigurations, and identifying sensitive data at risk across various cloud providers.
- Enhanced Data Security Posture: DSPM technology improves data security by classifying data, tracking pipelines, and assessing risks related to exposure, compliance, data residency, breaches, or ransomware.
- Business Advantages: With a unified management console, DSPM supports comprehensive data risk assessments. It strengthens security through data catalog integration, generating alerts, and streamlining security orchestration across different tools.
Gartner’s Predictions for DSPM
According to Gartner’s report, by 2026, over 20% of organizations will rely on DSPM solutions to manage and secure their data across known and unknown repositories. But adoption won’t stop there: Gartner expects the growth of DSPM to mirror the cloud adoption and the continued proliferation of data spread across diverse systems.
Gartner notes that DSPM vendors, including startups and established firms, are developing sophisticated tools to tackle shadow data risks. Vendors like Concentric AI, Cyera, and Dig Security have emerged as key players, each offering unique capabilities for discovering data, mitigating risks, and ensuring compliance.
That said, Gartner notes that DSPM is still in its relative infancy, with many organizations having only around two years of market experience, many of which have only recently emerged from “stealth mode.” As such, some of these vendors may be acquired or exit the market. Each vendor has slightly different product capabilities and approaches, and most DSPMs only integrate with a limited set of IAM and SaaS products.
In the coming years, we will likely see the DSPM market mature, with smaller vendors integrated into larger cybersecurity conglomerates. This consolidation will likely result in a more cohesive market with less variation between products and improved integration with third-party products.
Similarly, as the DSPM market matures, we will likely see increased DSPM adoption. Organizations will realize that traditional data security solutions can no longer keep up with the evolving risks presented by cloud-based data repositories. Furthermore, as cyber threats become more advanced, DSPM tools will likely evolve to offer real-time risk assessments.
Conclusion
The key takeaway here is that DSPM is fast becoming a crucial part of effective cloud security. It is potentially the solution to issues with lost, unknown, or exposed data in increasingly complex cloud environments. While the market is still young, it is maturing fast and will likely soon be a key tool in many organization’s security strategies. Even if you’re not ready to purchase DSPM now, keep an eye out for market developments for future interest.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).