Thinking About Implementing DSPM? Here Are 5 Things to Avoid

Martin Snyder
Jul 13, 2025
2 min read

Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) tools are quickly becoming a must-have for organizations looking to protect sensitive information across their cloud and SaaS environments. But rolling out a DSPM solution isn’t as simple as flipping a switch.

To truly succeed with DSPM, you need to avoid these five common (and costly) mistakes:

1. Skipping SaaS and Cloud Discovery

You cannot protect what you don’t know exists. Yet one of the most common missteps organizations make is jumping into DSPM without first running a full SaaS and cloud asset discovery.

Shadow IT remains one of the biggest threats to data security.
Unknown OAuth connections can grant long-term access to risky third-party applications.

Waldo Security’s free discovery tool gives you visibility into every SaaS and OAuth connection—without complex setup or third-party exposure.

A study by Gartner shows that over 75% of cloud security failures result from unmanaged or misconfigured assets.

2. Assuming DSPM Is a “Set It and Forget It” Tool

Many companies expect DSPM to be a silver bullet. But like any security solution, DSPM needs tuning, integration, and ongoing attention.

Policies must be aligned with real business risk.
Alerts need triage and contextual response.

Want to understand what DSPM can and can’t do on autopilot? Read our breakdown of automated remediation.

3. Ignoring Integration with Identity and Access Controls

DSPM only works when it’s connected to your identity layer. If you’re not syncing with your SSO, IAM, or CASB platforms, you’re missing half the picture.

Sensitive data access should always be mapped to real users.
Policy enforcement (like revoking access) requires real-time identity integration.

For deeper insight, check out ISACA’s GRC framework for aligning access governance with data protection.

4. Focusing Only on Structured Data

A huge blind spot in many DSPM deployments is the assumption that structured data is all that matters.

SaaS tools store massive amounts of sensitive information in docs, chat logs, tickets, and spreadsheets.
DSPM must include unstructured data—where some of the most critical exposure happens.

For tips on securing unstructured content, NIST’s guidance is a useful resource.

5. Treating DSPM as a Compliance Checkbox

DSPM shouldn’t just be a line item on your audit checklist. It should be a living part of your security operations.

Use DSPM to reduce real-world risk, not just pass audits.
Measure success by incidents avoided—not just reports generated.

Final Thoughts

DSPM can be one of the most impactful security tools you deploy—but only if implemented thoughtfully. Avoiding these five pitfalls will help you unlock its full potential:

✅ Discover everything first.

✅ Connect it to your identity infrastructure.

✅ Include unstructured data.

✅ Stay hands-on.

✅ Focus on risk, not just audits.

Looking to kickstart your DSPM journey the right way? Waldo Security can help.