DSPM stands for Data Security Posture Management. It is a security approach used to discover where sensitive data lives, classify it, and assess who can access it. Unlike controls that focus mainly on servers, apps, or cloud settings, DSPM treats the data itself as the asset to protect.
It matters because attackers often win by finding exposed copies of valuable data, not by breaking a well-defended perimeter. DSPM helps defenders uncover shadow data, overly broad permissions, stale copies, and risky storage locations across cloud and hybrid environments. In practice, it supports cleanup, access review, retention enforcement, and prioritizing the datasets that would cause the most harm if leaked or stolen. Good DSPM turns unknown data exposure into an inventory that security teams can act on.