CSPM vs. DSPM vs. Data Security Platforms: What’s the Difference?

Cybsersecurity is constantly changing. But if there’s one thing that stays constant through it all, it’s the buzzwords. The acronyms themselves may change, but the cycle of new terms and concepts continues relentlessly.

In the past few years, there’s been a rise in the terms CSPM and DSPM, followed respectively by CSP and DSP. Similar acronyms, similar context, very easy to confuse them all. 

So what’s the difference between these terms? Here’s what you need to know. 

CSPM focuses on cloud infrastructure security. It emerged in the mid-2010s in response to the rapid adoption of cloud technologies and the challenges that came with them. 

Existing tools couldn’t handle the cloud’s constant changes, like automated scaling and decentralized access, leading to frequent misconfigurations. High-profile breaches due to exposed storage and excessive permissions made continuous monitoring essential. 

CSPM solutions now help identify misconfigurations, enforce compliance, and provide visibility into security risks across AWS, Azure, and GCP.

Key features:

• Detects misconfigured storage, networking, and identity settings, such as publicly exposed S3 buckets or excessive IAM permissions.
• Monitors compliance with SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA by assessing infrastructure configurations.
• Provides security alerts for misconfigurations but does not actively secure data itself.

Limitations:

• CSPM does not manage or protect cloud data—only infrastructure settings.

Example:

A company using AWS might have a misconfigured S3 bucket that allows public access. A CSPM tool would detect this misconfiguration and generate an alert, helping the security team fix the issue before sensitive data is exposed. However, if the bucket already contains sensitive data, CSPM does not prevent unauthorized users from accessing it—it only flags the exposure.

Over time, the CSPM market is evolving into or being absorbed by products called cloud security platforms (CSPs) or cloud-native application protection platforms (CNAPP), which offer a more comprehensive approach to cloud security.

Where CSPM focuses on cloud infrastructure, DSPM emerged to address the specific challenges of securing sensitive data within the cloud – and across various environments, including cloud, on-premises, and hybrid setups. 

As cloud adoption grew, so did the volume of sensitive data spread across multiple platforms, increasing the risk of exposure. DSPM helps organizations find, classify, and assess risks to sensitive data, ensuring they understand where critical data resides and who has access to it.

Key features:

• Scans for sensitive data (PII, PHI, financial records) in cloud storage and databases.
• Identifies access risks and compliance gaps.
• Tracks who accesses data and detects unusual activity.

Limitations:

• DSPM does not secure cloud infrastructure or control real-time data access.

Example:

A financial services company using Snowflake might use a DSPM to scan its data warehouse and identify tables containing credit card numbers. DSPM can show who has access and whether any unauthorized users are querying this data. However, if an employee with excessive permissions tries to download all customer credit card numbers, a DSPM would detect the activity but wouldn’t block the action in real time.

A DSP is a broader security solution that goes beyond monitoring by controlling data access in real time. 

DSPM is one component of a data security platform. A DSPM provides visibility—it discovers where sensitive data is stored and who has access. A DSP provides both visibility and control—it not only identifies risks but also enforces security policies in real time.

Key features:

• Provides end-to-end data security across multiple cloud platforms by combining data discovery, risk assessment, and access control.
• Enforces granular access controls to prevent unauthorized data use, such as applying just-in-time access permissions.
• Automates policy enforcement with real-time responses to security incidents, blocking access or alerting teams instantly.

Limitation:

• Discovery and classification features may not be as in-depth as in a point DSPM solution.

• Use a CSPM if your main concern is cloud misconfigurations and compliance.
• Use a DSPM if you need better visibility into data risks.
• Use a DSP if you need real-time protection and automated controls.

Many organizations combine CSPM and DSPM, but security teams still have to manage enforcement manually. A DSP fills that gap by actively controlling access and reducing risk. 

Having visibility and control under the same platform allows security teams to immediately act on detected risks rather than relying on separate tools to first identify and then remediate threats manually.

With DSPM alone, organizations can see risks but cannot directly address them, which can lead to delays in mitigation. A DSP automates enforcement, ensuring security policies are applied instantly when risky access patterns or misconfigurations are detected. 

For companies dealing with highly sensitive data, compliance requirements, or complex multi-cloud environments, a DSP provides a more effective and streamlined security approach than using only a DSPM.

• Use a CSPM if your main concern is cloud misconfigurations and compliance.
• Use a DSPM if you need better visibility into data risks.
• Use a DSP if you need real-time protection and automated controls.

Many organizations combine CSPM and DSPM, but security teams still have to manage enforcement manually. A DSP fills that gap by actively controlling access and reducing risk. 

Having visibility and control under the same platform allows security teams to immediately act on detected risks rather than relying on separate tools to first identify and then remediate threats manually.

With DSPM alone, organizations can see risks but cannot directly address them, which can lead to delays in mitigation. A DSP automates enforcement, ensuring security policies are applied instantly when risky access patterns or misconfigurations are detected. 

For companies dealing with highly sensitive data, compliance requirements, or complex multi-cloud environments, a DSP provides a more effective and streamlined security approach than using only a DSPM.

Satori is a data security platform that secures sensitive data across cloud environments, from production databases to AI applications.

Benefits:

• Agentless, fast deployment: Satori’s cloud-native architecture eliminates the need for installing agents, enabling rapid and seamless integration into existing data infrastructures.
• Automated access controls: Satori automates the enforcement of fine-grained access policies, ensuring users have the minimum necessary permissions. This includes dynamic data masking, row-level security, and just-in-time access provisions, all managed from a centralized interface.
• Works with your cloud platform: Satori supports a wide array of data platforms, including AWS, Azure, Snowflake, Databricks, and MongoDB, providing consistent security and governance across multi-cloud environments. Your stack is covered, from production databases to BI tools to AI applications.

CSPM, DSPM, and DSP address different security challenges. The right choice depends on what you need to secure—cloud settings, data visibility, or real-time access control.

To learn more about Satori, book a demo with one of our experts.