Data on the internet is scattered across hybrid environments, remote access points, and even the metaverse. It’s a sprawling jungle, full of hidden dangers and potential threats for your business. To ensure your cloud data remains secured you need the best DSPM tool within your reach.
However, it’s easy to feel lost when trying to choose the best DSPM solution for your business. With so many options available, it’s important to analyze each one carefully to avoid a poor investment.
To save you the trouble, I’ve curated a list of the best DSPM tools out there. Drawing from my experience working with various teams and projects, I’ll simplify the world of DSPM tools for you.
Here are the top 10 best DSPM tools that will help you secure your cloud environments in 2024:
- CloudDefense.AI
- Varonis DSPM
- IBM Guardium Insights
- Sentra
- Securiti
- Prisma Cloud DSPM (Palo Alto Networks)
- Microsoft Purview
- Wiz
- Normalyze
- Cyera
Continue reading to get an in-depth understanding of the best DSPM tools mentioned above.
Let’s get started!
What to look for in a DSPM solution?
Choosing a DSPM solution is like picking the right pair of shoes. You need something that fits comfortably, looks good, and protects your feet. But unlike shoes, the wrong DSPM tool can have serious consequences for your organization’s data. With the right DSPM tool, you can enhance data visibility, ensure compliance, and protect sensitive information across diverse environments. Here’s what you should look for when selecting a DSPM solution:
Alignment with Your Organization’s Goals
Before evaluating DSPM solutions, it's essential to define what success looks like for your organization. Are you aiming to enhance data visibility, secure sensitive information, ensure compliance, or improve breach readiness? Understanding your specific goals will help you select a DSPM tool that aligns with your cybersecurity objectives and delivers measurable results.
Comprehensive Data Classification
A strong DSPM solution should offer consistent and accurate data classification across all environments, whether data is stored in multiple clouds, on-premises, or within SaaS applications. Look for tools that can identify and classify both cloud-native and shadow data assets, ensuring that all data types are reliably tagged and categorized. This consistency is vital for automating security controls and effectively managing risk.
Contextual Data Intelligence
Beyond simple data classification, a top-tier DSPM solution should provide rich context around your data. This means integrating and analyzing metadata from various sources to deliver actionable insights. A DSPM tool should enable different teams—whether focused on security, compliance, or data governance—to gain the intelligence they need to make informed decisions. The ability to correlate data across multiple perspectives is crucial for proactive risk management and operationalizing data security controls.
Automated Enforcement of Security and Compliance Controls
The best DSPM tools don’t just identify risks—they also enable you to take swift, automated action. Look for solutions that offer centralized policy management, continuous monitoring, and automated remediation. Whether it’s blocking unauthorized access to sensitive data, enforcing compliance controls, or quarantining non-compliant files, automation is key to maintaining a strong security posture with minimal manual intervention.
Flexible Reporting and Risk Communication
Effective communication of data risk is critical, especially when reporting to senior executives or boards. A good DSPM solution should offer flexible and comprehensive reporting capabilities, allowing you to provide both strategic and tactical insights. The ability to easily generate reports that demonstrate the return on investment and highlight successful outcomes is invaluable for driving ongoing improvements in data security.
Orchestration of Data Security Playbooks
Data security is a collaborative effort that involves multiple teams across the organization. A DSPM tool should support the orchestration of security playbooks, automating workflows and reducing the burden of manual tasks. A DSPM solution can integrate with your existing security ecosystem to streamline incident response, mitigate risks more efficiently, and ensure that everyone is aligned on security objectives.
Integration with a Unified Data Security Platform
A DSPM tool should not operate in isolation. For maximum effectiveness, it should be part of a broader, unified data security platform that integrates AI security, data privacy, governance, and compliance capabilities. This integration allows for seamless sharing of data context and enforcement of controls across the organization, ensuring that all teams—from cybersecurity to compliance—can work together to protect data and maintain regulatory standards.
10 Best DSPM Vendors in 2024
The huge number of DSPM tools that are surfacing in the market can easily lead someone to wander through a dense forest. But don’t worry! I am here to guide you and clear any confusion that you might have
To make your life easier, I have picked the top ten DSPM tools from the industry. These tools are fully loaded with the features you need to manage the security of your sensitive data efficiently.
Let’s cut to the chase. I’ve created a comparison table below that provides a quick overview of essential factors to help you choose the right tool.
Tool Name | Focus Area | Key Features | Pricing |
CloudDefense.AI DSPM | Best in the Industry DSPM with a focus on complete cloud security, real-time monitoring, and automated compliance. |
| |
Varonis DSPM | Data risk management with an emphasis on sensitive data discovery, permission monitoring, and behavior alerts. |
| Contact vendor for details |
IBM Guardium Insights | Cloud data protection with data classification and integration with existing Guardium products. |
| Contact vendor for details |
Sentra | Data classification and monitoring in cloud-native environments, with a focus on agentless discovery. |
| Contact vendor for details |
Securiti | Data intelligence and privacy regulation compliance with a centralized dashboard and customizable alerts. |
| Contact vendor for details |
Prisma Cloud DSPM by Palo Alto Networks | Data protection for cloud environments with prebuilt classifiers and integration with other security solutions. |
| Contact vendor for details |
Microsoft Purview | Data governance and compliance management, particularly for Microsoft ecosystems. |
| Contact vendor for details |
Wiz DSPM | Cloud data scanning with a focus on runtime detection, schema matching, and integration with other security tools. |
| Contact vendor for details |
Normalyze DSPM | Visualization of data attack surfaces with machine learning-based scanning and continuous discovery. |
| Contact vendor for details |
Cyera | Quick data risk assessment and protection with integration across cloud environments. |
| Contact vendor for details |
1. CloudDefense.AI DSPM
CloudDefense.AI 
World’s Top CNAPP that Secures from Hacker Recon to Cloud to Your Code
CloudDefense.AI delivers industry-leading data security across multi-cloud and SaaS environments. With powerful tracking, detection, and prevention capabilities, it ensures sensitive data protection while providing businesses with tools for compliance and risk management.
Their DSPM is a powerful solution that offers deep security across multi-cloud setups and SaaS environments. This tool specializes in scanning sensitive data, such as PII, PHI, and PCI, and helps organizations proactively detect exposure pathways. It offers full-stack visibility, contextual alert graphs, and real-time monitoring for advanced data protection.
Features
Here are some key features that make CloudDefense.AI stand out among other DSPM tools:
Complete Cloud Security Risk Assessment
CloudDefense.AI performs a thorough scan for sensitive data, such as PII, PHI, and PCI, across your cloud infrastructure. It quickly identifies vulnerabilities and alerts users to exposure paths, helping companies proactively secure critical data from potential attacks.
Contextual Alert Graphs
This feature provides detailed visualizations of potential threats, helping security teams identify attack vectors. CloudDefense.AI simplifies the tracking of data flows and vulnerabilities, ensuring companies can respond to incidents quickly while maintaining a full understanding of their cloud environment.
AI-Based Remediation
AI-driven remediation allows users to address vulnerabilities automatically. This feature reduces response time by identifying the root cause of threats and resolving them efficiently. It also helps companies maintain security standards even as they scale, without hindering operational speed.
360° Visibility
CloudDefense.AI provides full-stack visibility into data, eliminating blind spots. With its advanced DSPM solution, users can identify hidden assets, track data flows, and expose vulnerabilities in real-time, ensuring informed decision-making in threat detection and mitigation.
Real-Time Monitoring
CloudDefense.AI offers real-time monitoring, instantly detecting threats and vulnerabilities as they arise. This continuous surveillance helps companies maintain proactive security and ensures quick responses to potential issues, reducing the likelihood of data breaches or other security incidents.
Pros
Scans for PII, PHI, and PCI, ensuring all sensitive data is accounted for.
Speeds up incident response and automates vulnerability fixes.
Adjusts to growing business needs without compromising security.
Keeps companies one step ahead of attackers with constant monitoring.
Keeps companies one step ahead of attackers with constant monitoring.
Cons
Initial setup may require specialized knowledge for optimization.
The full range of features may take time to master for teams unfamiliar with DSPM tools.
2. Varonis DSPM
Varonis
2nd Easiest To Use in Data Security Posture Management(DSPM) Software
Varonis DSPM is renowned for offering robust data protection solutions, particularly for structured data in hybrid environments. It integrates deeply with enterprise systems to detect insider threats, map permissions, and control data access in real-time.
Key Features:
Sensitive data is automatically classified, with alerts for suspicious access behavior.
Maps and analyzes user permissions to uncover overexposed data and reduce the potential attack surface.
Sensitive files that are exposed are quarantined for added protection.
Pros
Excellent for insider threat detection and protection.
Provides a prioritized view of risks, reducing manual security efforts.
Cons
Less emphasis on cloud-native environments.
Requires a more hands-on approach to setup and management.
3. IBM Guardium Insights
IBM Guardium Insights
3rd Easiest To Use in Data Security Posture Management(DSPM) Software
IBM Guardium Insights is a trusted name in DSPM, offering deep analytics and monitoring capabilities for cloud data environments. It enables security teams to discover and classify sensitive data, with pre-set sensitive data definitions for easier compliance management.
Pros
Strong analytics capabilities.
Cloud-native focus ensures coverage for SaaS and cloud platforms.
Cons
Focuses only on cloud data, with no support for on-premise environments.
Limited customization for data classification rules.
4. Sentra DSPM
Sentra
4th Easiest To Use in Data Security Posture Management(DSPM) Software
Sentra is a cloud-native DSPM tool designed to follow sensitive data as it moves through cloud environments. It offers deep support for structured and unstructured data and integrates with a wide array of third-party tools to offer seamless protection.
Pros
Strong machine learning capabilities for advanced threat detection.
Excellent integrations with third-party security tools.
Cons
Requires frequent tuning to optimize machine learning models.
5. Securiti DSPM
Securiti
5th Easiest To Use in Dataloud Security Posture Management(DSPM) Software
Securiti is a widely recognized DSPM tool known for its data intelligence and compliance capabilities. It offers a wide range of integrations with cloud platforms and regulatory frameworks to give organizations a holistic view of their data security posture.
Pros
Ideal for compliance-heavy industries.
Supports a wide range of languages and detection rules.
Cons
Can be overwhelming for smaller teams due to the feature set complexity.
6. Prisma Cloud DSPM (Palo Alto Networks)
Prisma Cloud (Palo Alto Networks)
6th Easiest To Use in Data Security Posture Management(DSPM) Software
Prisma Cloud DSPM by Palo Alto Networks offers strong integration with enterprise cloud security systems, SIEM solutions, and workflow tools. With more than 100 pre-built classifiers, it helps detect and manage sensitive data across hybrid cloud setups.
Pros
Comprehensive support for cloud and on-premise data sources.
High level of automation for compliance and security management.
Cons
Requires the Advanced plan for full DSPM features.
Can be costly for smaller organizations.
7. Microsoft Purview
Microsoft Purview
7th Easiest To Use in Data Security Posture Management(DSPM) Software
Microsoft Purview offers an end-to-end solution for data governance and compliance. It integrates smoothly with the Microsoft 365 suite and Azure services to provide full visibility and control over your data security posture.
Pros
Best for organizations deeply integrated with Microsoft ecosystems.
Highly customizable security policies and workflows.
Cons
Limited support for non-Microsoft environments.
Can be complex for organizations not fully integrated into Azure.
8. Wiz DSPM
WIZ
8th Easiest To Use in Data Security Posture Management(DSPM) Software
Wiz is a cloud-native DSPM tool that provides a complete view of your cloud environment, scanning every layer for vulnerabilities. It offers deep data discovery, classification, and monitoring capabilities, making it a go-to for large-scale enterprises with complex cloud environments.
Pros
Excellent for deep cloud vulnerability analysis.
No agents are required, ensuring smooth performance.
Cons
Only the Advanced plan includes the full DSPM feature set.
9. Normalyze DSPM
Normalyze
9th Easiest To Use in Data Security Posture Management(DSPM) Software
Normalyze offers both clouds and on-premises data security solutions, providing real-time visibility into your data security posture. It’s a machine-learning-based tool designed to help organizations uncover misconfigurations and potential vulnerabilities.
Pros
Excellent real-time monitoring capabilities.
Strong visualization features for data flow and security posture.
Cons
Premium pricing can be steep for small businesses.
10. Cyera DSPM
Cyera
10th Easiest To Use in Data Security Posture Management(DSPM) Software
Cyera provides a holistic view of sensitive data across IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS environments. It focuses on offering a quick setup with a low overhead, helping organizations manage sensitive data efficiently without sacrificing performance.
Pros
Fast setup and easy to use.
Covers a wide range of cloud environments.
Cons
Limited support for on-premise systems.
What is DSPM? Data Security Posture Management
DSPM, expanded to Data Security Posture Management, is an emerging approach in cybersecurity that focuses on managing and improving the security posture of data across an organization’s cloud environments. Introduced by Gartner in 2022, DSPM addresses the challenges of data proliferation in today’s hybrid, remote, and metaverse-integrated world, where vast amounts of personal and sensitive data are stored and shared on the cloud.
The primary objective of DSPM is to reduce the risk of cyber attacks and ensure complete security for cloud data. It achieves this by mapping and classifying data based on type, sensitivity, and user access levels across various cloud platforms. By providing organizations with a clear understanding of where their data resides and how it is protected, DSPM enables proactive measures to prevent data breaches and unauthorized access.
What are DSPM Tools?
DSPM tools are designed to assess and manage the security posture of data across cloud environments, focusing on data visibility, classification, and access control. These tools operate without requiring deep integration into an organization’s existing infrastructure, making them particularly valuable for security professionals who need to secure data across diverse and complex cloud ecosystems.
It’s recommended to use DSPM tools alongside other security solutions like CSPM and IAM tools for complete data protection. While CSPM tools focus on securing cloud infrastructure configurations, and IAM tools manage user access, DSPM tools concentrate specifically on the data itself—mapping where it resides, classifying its sensitivity, and monitoring how it’s accessed.
This combined approach can be achieved with the help of CloudDefense.AI’s CNAPP. This ensures that both the data and the environments in which it resides are thoroughly secured throughout the data lifecycle.
Conclusion
In the crowd of DSPM tools, CloudDefense.AI shines the brightest. Its AI-powered approach not only detects threats but also predicts and prevents them, offering a level of proactive protection unmatched by competitors. With CloudDefense.AI, you’re not just complying with regulations, you’re protecting your data with cutting-edge technology.
Its smooth integration, user-friendly interface, and real-time monitoring capabilities ensure that organizations stay ahead of new threats, making it the best choice for businesses seeking top-tier data security and compliance. CloudDefense.AI provides peace of mind and unmatched data protection allowing you to sleep peacefully at night! Book a free demo now and witness the greatness of CloudDefense.AI’s DSPM!
