CSPM vs. DSPM: What's the Difference, and Why Should You Care?

Cloud platforms have transformed how businesses operate—but they’ve also become prime targets for cyber threats. Cybersecurity Insiders reports that 61% of organizations have experienced cloud security incidents—an increase that highlights the growing risks tied to cloud environments. This trend signals an urgent need for stronger security frameworks focused on full visibility and proactive threat response.

Two critical tools leading this charge are Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) and Data Security Posture Management (DSPM). While they’re often mentioned together, they serve very different purposes. CSPM secures your cloud infrastructure; DSPM protects the sensitive data flowing through it.

In this blog, we’ll break down exactly what CSPM and DSPM do, how they differ, and why you need both—especially as attackers continue to exploit people-driven gaps like misused credentials and overexposed data.

What Is Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)?

Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) is designed to continuously monitor your cloud infrastructure—like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud—for misconfigurations, compliance issues, and security gaps.

CSPM acts as your cloud environment’s diagnostics tool, ensuring everything is set up securely and aligned with best practices.

Core capabilities of CSPM include:

• Detecting misconfigurations such as publicly exposed storage buckets or overly permissive access settings.
• Enforcing compliance with standards like GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO 27001.
• Mapping cloud assets to give clear visibility into your environment and its configuration.
• Identifying infrastructure vulnerabilities before they become entry points for attackers.

In simple terms, CSPM makes sure the “foundation” of your cloud is secure—so you’re not building on risky or non-compliant ground.

Want a deeper dive into how CSPM works and why it matters? Read our article on Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM).

What Is Data Security Posture Management (DSPM)?

Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) focuses on identifying, classifying, and securing sensitive data—wherever it resides. Unlike CSPM, which protects your cloud’s infrastructure, DSPM safeguards the actual data within it, across cloud platforms, SaaS applications, and even on-premises systems.

Key functions of DSPM include:

• Discovering sensitive data, such as customer records, financial information, or proprietary assets, across all environments.
• Classifying data by sensitivity level to prioritize protection and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Tracking data flows to understand how information moves within and outside your environment.
• Analyzing access permissions to detect excessive or unnecessary data exposure.
• Generating risk-prioritized alerts that focus on real threats, not just noise.

DSPM delivers the visibility and control needed to protect your most valuable data assets—ensuring that only the right people have access to the right information at the right time.

CSPM vs. DSPM: Spotting the Key Differences

CSPM and DSPM are often used together, but their roles in cloud security are fundamentally different. While CSPM focuses on securing the structure of your cloud environment, DSPM protects the data that moves through and lives within it.

Understanding their unique strengths—and the functional differences outlined in the table below—is critical for building a security strategy that covers both infrastructure misconfigurations and sensitive data exposure.

Table 1: Key Security Functions: CSPM vs. DSPM Breakdown

As the table shows, CSPM focuses on securing the cloud’s foundation—its infrastructure and configurations—while DSPM focuses on sensitive data, how it moves, and who can access it. Relying on one without the other leaves critical gaps: CSPM may miss exposed data, while DSPM can’t fix insecure infrastructure. Together, they provide a layered defense that’s far more effective than either tool alone.

Why You Need Both CSPM and DSPM

CSPM and DSPM protect different parts of your cloud environment. Depending on just one creates serious gaps that attackers can easily exploit.

• CSPM secures your cloud setup by detecting misconfigurations, enforcing access policies, and ensuring compliance.
• DSPM protects your sensitive data by locating where it’s stored, classifying its risk level, and monitoring who can access it.

Together, CSPM and DSPM offer complete protection. CSPM reduces your attack surface by strengthening your cloud infrastructure, ensuring that everything is configured securely and in line with policy. DSPM prevents data exposure by identifying sensitive information and managing who has access to it. When combined, they provide full visibility and control—securing both your cloud environment and the valuable data it holds.

The Keepnet Angle: Technology Helps—But People Close the Gaps

CSPM and DSPM help lock down your cloud infrastructure and sensitive data, but attackers often bypass these defenses by targeting your employees. They use phishing emails and social engineering tricks to take advantage of the same misconfigurations or data access issues these tools find.

That’s why Keepnet adds a critical layer: your people. Our Incident Responder quickly finds and removes phishing emails—scanning up to 7,500 inboxes in just five minutes—using 20+ threat analysis engines and connecting with tools like Splunk and Palo Alto XSOAR. At the same time, Keepnet’s Security Awareness Training is adaptive and role-based, meaning each employee gets training that fits their job and risk level. Whether someone works in HR, IT, or finance, they learn how to spot and stop real threats. This combination of smart automation and well-trained people closes the gaps attackers love to exploit.

To learn how to create a stronger, security-aware workforce, read our guide on Building a Security-Conscious Corporate Culture: A Roadmap for Success.

Why CSPM, DSPM, and Human Defense Must Work Together

CSPM and DSPM are both essential—one secures your cloud infrastructure, the other protects the sensitive data inside it. Relying on just one leaves critical blind spots. Used together, they give you full visibility and control across your cloud environment.

But tools alone aren’t enough. Human error remains one of the biggest threats. That’s why the most effective cloud security strategy pairs strong technical solutions with people-first protection.

Keepnet helps you close the loop—combining automated incident response, adaptive security awareness training, and real-time threat detection to build a truly resilient defense.

Ready to strengthen the human side of your cloud security? Check out Keepnet’s Human Risk Management Platform to see how you can turn your biggest risk into your strongest defense.