DSPM: The Foundation for a Strong Data Security Governance Framework

Today, organizations have to stay ahead of an evolving and growing list of data regulations. This reality makes data security governance an even higher priority for many companies today.  

That means GRC teams need to have a solid data security governance processes in place. Processes that are built to discover and categorize sensitive data so they can secure data at rest, in motion or while it’s in use.

The need for a data security governance framework

Data security governance encompasses policies, roles, responsibilities and technologies that align data protection with business goals and regulatory requirements.

Here are some key elements of data security governance to account for: 

• Data classification and inventory: Knowing what data you have and where it resides
• Access control: Ensuring only authorized users can access sensitive data
• Policy enforcement: Applying consistent rules for data handling and protection
• Compliance monitoring: Meeting regulatory standards like GDPR, HIPAA and CCPA
• Risk management: Identifying and mitigating data-related threats
   

Without a strong governance framework, organizations risk operational inefficiencies, compliance violations or even data breaches.

How does DSPM help with data security governance?

DSPM solutions continuously assess and improve an organization’s data security posture by discovering, classifying and monitoring sensitive data across all environments. This type of solution is particularly helpful in terms of: 

• Illuminating dark data: Uncover unstructured and unclassified data that may pose hidden risks
• Automating classification: Use AI to accurately identify sensitive data types
• Mapping access and permissions: Highlight over-permissioned users and potential insider threats
• Enabling proactive remediation: Provide actionable insights to fix misconfigurations and reduce exposure

By integrating DSPM into their data security governance practices, organizations can achieve proactive data protection instead of guarding against threats in a purely reactive way.
 

Forcepoint DSPM stands out in a crowded field by combining AI-powered discovery with enterprise-grade scalability and actionable insights. The proprietary AI Mesh technology enables rapid scanning and accurate classification.

AI-powered discovery and classification improves data security governance

Forcepoint DSPM facilitates data security governance by:

• Automating discovery and classification: Reducing manual effort and ensuring consistent policy enforcement
• Visualizing access and risk: Mapping who has access to what data and identifying high-risk users
• Enabling policy-based controls: Supporting enforcement of data handling rules based on sensitivity and context  

This automation and visibility empower security teams to enforce governance policies at scale, reduce human error and maintain compliance with evolving regulations.

Forcepoint DSPM improves data quality

Data quality is often overlooked in security conversations, but it’s foundational to resilience. Forcepoint DSPM helps organizations clean up redundant, outdated and trivial (ROT) data, which not only reduces risk but also improves operational efficiency.

Benefits include:

• Improved data hygiene: Eliminating unnecessary data that could be exploited by bad actors
• Stronger business continuity: Ensuring critical data is accurate, accessible and protected
• Risk-based prioritization: Focusing resources on the most sensitive and exposed data

By aligning data quality with security goals, Forcepoint DSPM supports both compliance and business agility.

Reap the benefits of a strong data security posture

In an era in which data is both a strategic asset and a potential liability, DSPM is no longer optional – it’s essential. Forcepoint DSPM delivers the visibility, intelligence and control needed to govern data effectively, reduce risk and to ensure compliance.

Check out our recent 6 Steps to Achieve Data Security Governance and Compliance webinar for a deeper discussion on the topic.