Security Posture Policies

Security Posture Policies is a critical element of data governance within an organization. It involves creating a detailed representation of the data assets managed by different departments or business units. It is the core feature where organizations define and manage their most crucial data, often referred to as "crown jewels." This register serves as the central hub for identifying important data, assigning ownership, and applying rules for data protection and compliance.

Purpose of Security Posture Policies

The primary goal of Security Posture Policies is to enable organizations to gain visibility and control over their data assets by:

1. Identifying Critical Data Assets: Each department lists its essential data, whether financial records, contracts, personal data, or operational documents.

2. Assigning Data Owners: Data mapping ensures accountability by designating specific individuals or teams responsible for each data asset.

3. Facilitating Compliance: Regulatory frameworks such as GDPR, HIPAA, and others mandate strict data governance. Security Posture Policies ensure that organizations can track where sensitive data resides and how it is managed, aiding in compliance efforts.

4. Enabling Data Security: By mapping assets, organizations can apply appropriate security controls, such as encryption, access control, and data retention policies, based on data sensitivity.

5. Supporting Incident Response: In the event of a data breach or policy violation, having a comprehensive map of data assets allows organizations to address the issue and mitigate risks quickly.

The Security Posture Policies under the policy center is where organizations catalog their most critical data assets by department. Each asset entry typically includes:

• Security Posture Policy: The category or type of data, such as Customer Database, Contracts, Employee Personal Information, etc.

• Department: The business unit that manages or uses the data.

• Data Owner: The person responsible for the security and proper management of the data asset.

• Data Mapping: The criteria used to identify and classify the data, utilizing the Getvisibility Query Language (GQL).

How Data Mapping Works in Practice

1. Initial Setup: Compliance officers or department heads define critical data assets, listing them under appropriate categories such as financial data, customer information, or legal documents.

2. GQL Data Mapping: Using GQL, users set up specific queries that help identify the data across multiple repositories. For example, a query could be designed to find all files containing customer personal data or payment information.

3. Assignment of Data Owners: Every critical data asset is assigned a data owner, who will be responsible for monitoring and enforcing data policies.

4. Ongoing Monitoring: The DSPM platform continuously scans data sources to ensure that assets remain compliant with established policies. Violations or breaches trigger real-time alerts to the relevant data owners for immediate action.