Analyst(s): Fernando Montenegro, Krista Case
Publication Date: June 12, 2025
Kyndryl has launched Kyndryl Consult Data Security Posture Management, utilizing Microsoft Purview, combining its cybersecurity services capabilities with automated data discovery and protection functionality. The offering addresses growing enterprise needs for data governance and AI risk management across hybrid environments.
What is Covered in this Article:
- Launch of Kyndryl’s new data security posture management consulting services built on the Microsoft Purview platform
- Integration of automated data discovery, classification, and protection capabilities for complex hybrid environments
- Focus on AI readiness and risk management as organizations scale artificial intelligence implementations
- Market positioning within the growing enterprise demand for unified data protection and compliance offerings
The News: Kyndryl announced the launch of Kyndryl Consult Data Security Posture Management utilizing Microsoft Purview on April 24, 2025. The new consulting services combine automated data discovery, classification, and protection capabilities to help organizations secure sensitive information across hybrid environments while building foundations for responsible AI adoption.
Kyndryl Expands Its Purview Into Data Security with Microsoft Partnership
Analyst Take: This announcement represents a good example of the strategic evolution in how enterprise IT services providers are addressing the intersection of data security and AI governance. Kyndryl’s timing aligns with a critical market inflection point where organizations are simultaneously accelerating AI adoption while grappling with increasingly complex data protection requirements.
According to Futurum’s recent Cybersecurity Decision Maker survey, a full 94% of respondents indicated that they have DSPM in their sights, approaching it from three perspectives:
- 42% are considering DSPM as part of a data security initiative
- 34% indicate that DSPM falls under a cloud security initiative
- 18% of respondents are considering a standalone approach to DSPM
This variety illustrates how external service providers can play an important role in implementing DSPM to support strategic initiatives.
Kyndryl’s approach leverages Microsoft Purview’s data governance capabilities rather than developing proprietary DSPM technology. This approach makes business sense when considering Microsoft’s established position in enterprise data platforms and the extensive integration requirements for effective data security posture management. By building on Purview’s automated discovery and classification features, Kyndryl can focus on delivery and ongoing management rather than platform development.
The emphasis on AI readiness positions this offering well compared to traditional DSPM implementations. As generative AI adoption accelerates, organizations need robust controls to prevent sensitive data exposure through AI applications while maintaining operational flexibility. Kyndryl’s focus on establishing “secure data foundations for AI” addresses this emerging requirement before it becomes a compliance mandate.
The strategic partnership aspect is also important. Kyndryl’s Microsoft Intelligent Security Association membership and recent Identity and Access Management specialization demonstrate the depth enterprise customers are likely to demand from their strategic vendors. This positioning enables more comprehensive offerings, integrating data security with broader identity and access management strategies.
The regulatory compliance angle provides additional market momentum. Organizations face mounting pressure from data protection regulations across multiple jurisdictions, creating sustained demand for comprehensive data governance offerings. Kyndryl’s emphasis on policy-driven security controls and audit trails addresses these requirements while positioning for future regulatory developments.
That said, competitive differentiation remains challenging in the crowded DSPM market. Major consulting firms and specialized security providers are pursuing similar Microsoft partnerships. Kyndryl’s success will depend on its ability to demonstrate measurable business outcomes through its managed services approach, its existing customer relationships for strategic engagements, particularly as it explores ties with other Kyndryl offerings around transformation like Kyndryl Bridge.
What to Watch:
- Customer adoption metrics for the new DSPM offering and integration with existing Kyndryl-managed services across their enterprise customer base.
- AI governance feature development as Microsoft extends Purview capabilities and how Kyndryl adapts its consulting methodologies accordingly
- Competitive positioning against other major IT services providers launching similar Microsoft Purview-based offerings and their market penetration strategies
- Regulatory environment evolution around AI governance and data protection that could accelerate enterprise demand for comprehensive DSPM capabilities
- Partnership expansion indicators between Kyndryl and Microsoft, particularly around additional security specializations and joint go-to-market initiatives.
See the complete press release on the new service on the Kyndryl website.
Disclosures: While preparing this work, the author used Anthropic Claude Sonnet for summarization and editing. After using this service, the author reviewed and edited the content as needed. The author takes full responsibility for the publication’s content.
Futurum is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.
Analysis and opinions expressed herein are specific to the analyst individually and data and other information that might have been provided for validation, not those of Futurum as a whole.
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Author Information
Fernando Montenegro serves as the Vice President & Practice Lead for Cybersecurity at The Futurum Group. In this role, he leads the development and execution of the Cybersecurity research agenda, working closely with the team to drive the practice's growth. His research focuses on addressing critical topics in modern cybersecurity. These include the multifaceted role of AI in cybersecurity, strategies for managing an ever-expanding attack surface, and the evolution of cybersecurity architectures toward more platform-oriented solutions.
Before joining The Futurum Group, Fernando held senior industry analyst roles at Omdia, S&P Global, and 451 Research. His career also includes diverse roles in customer support, security, IT operations, professional services, and sales engineering. He has worked with pioneering Internet Service Providers, established security vendors, and startups across North and South America.
Fernando holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil and various industry certifications. Although he is originally from Brazil, he has been based in Toronto, Canada, for many years.
With a focus on data security, protection, and management, Krista has a particular focus on how these strategies play out in multi-cloud environments. She brings approximately 15 years of experience providing research and advisory services and creating thought leadership content. Her vantage point spans technology and vendor portfolio developments; customer buying behavior trends; and vendor ecosystems, go-to-market positioning, and business models. Her work has appeared in major publications including eWeek, TechTarget and The Register.
Prior to joining The Futurum Group, Krista led the data protection practice for Evaluator Group and the data center practice of analyst firm Technology Business Research. She also created articles, product analyses, and blogs on all things storage and data protection and management for analyst firm Storage Switzerland and led market intelligence initiatives for media company TechTarget.
