Over the past year, thirty-one percent of organizations faced Software as a Service (SaaS) data breaches, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. This rise in breaches underscores significant issues in visibility and decentralization of security governance within many businesses’ app estates. As companies increasingly adopt SaaS applications, they often underestimate the complexity and the number of third-party connections to core SaaS platforms. This lack of foresight significantly elevates the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks.
Many firms with a substantial reliance on SaaS, such as those utilizing Microsoft 365, typically believe they have fewer connected applications than they do. On average, enterprises believe they have fewer than ten connected applications, yet aggregated data shows the actual number exceeds a thousand. This discrepancy highlights a critical gap in the awareness and management of SaaS applications. Additionally, one-third of these companies cannot accurately account for all deployed SaaS apps within their organizations, further complicating security management.
SaaS Applications: A Popular Target for Cybercriminals
IT managers and experts from 644 companies across six countries, revealing that nearly half of these firms have workforces exceeding 2,500 employees. It was found that business units or individual users frequently bypass traditional IT procurement processes to adopt third-party SaaS applications. Such applications usually integrate seamlessly with core SaaS platforms but introduce numerous entry points for cybercriminals.
Coupled with the sensitive data stored in these applications, the widespread adoption and integration with other services make SaaS apps enticing targets for cybercriminals. The evolving cyber threat landscape has seen cyberattacks increasingly focus on misconfigured cloud environments associated with SaaS. Recent predictions by Gartner estimate that 45% of global organizations will have experienced attacks on their software supply chains by 2025. This growing threat urges more robust security measures across SaaS ecosystems to prevent a surge in breaches and data loss.
Decentralized Security Governance and Its Consequences
A significant aspect contributing to the vulnerability in SaaS deployments is the shift toward decentralized security governance, resulting in ambiguous responsibility zones and potential security gaps. SaaS systems are replacing on-premises software traditionally protected by physical security measures such as surveillance and guarded premises. However, the cloud-based nature of SaaS applications leads to deployment across various devices and user profiles, which disperses the structure of security governance.
According to the survey, only 15% of respondents confirmed that responsibility for SaaS security is centralized within their organization’s cybersecurity team. This decentralization of operations often results in unclear delineation of responsibilities among Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), business unit heads, and the cybersecurity teams. Necessary changes for comprehensive SaaS security frequently play second fiddle to business objectives, exacerbated by the business units’ lack of expertise in implementing robust security controls. Such autonomy at the application owner level makes it challenging to ensure consistent cybersecurity measures designed to protect against specific application vulnerabilities.
Subpar Vetting of SaaS Apps
Despite nearly all surveyed organizations maintaining defined security criteria for deploying SaaS applications, enforcement remains inconsistent. Thirty-four percent reported that these security rules are not strictly adhered to, reflecting a 12% increase from the previous year’s survey. This negligence is often attributed to the combined pressures of efficiency gains and the obfuscation of responsibilities between business leaders and IT teams.
Moreover, confidence in the security of sanctioned applications remains low, with only 27% of respondents expressing assuredness in their security measures. This percentage reveals a decline of 10% compared to the previous year. The varying methodologies by which SaaS applications handle policies, events, and access permissions contribute to inconsistent policy implementations when managed ad hoc. The complexity and diversity of SaaS applications necessitate stringent management practices to uphold robust security standards and protect sensitive company and customer data.
Guidelines for Establishing a Secure SaaS Environment
To address the rising threats and gaps in security governance, the AppOmni team outlined several measures to secure a SaaS environment adequately. These guidelines are essential to fortifying defenses and ensuring comprehensive protection for SaaS ecosystems.
Map Out the SaaS Attack Surface
Begin with auditing the entire SaaS application estate to catalog all SaaS applications and associated access permissions. This crucial step involves prioritizing applications that manage and process critical business information. Developing a thorough understanding of the SaaS attack surface enables organizations to identify vulnerabilities and fortify defenses against potential breaches.
Clarify Roles and Duties
Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of security professionals and business leaders within the organization. Formalize standard operating procedures for tasks such as onboarding new applications, setting policy baselines, and managing user permissions. This clarity ensures that responsibilities are well-understood and effectively managed, reducing the potential for overlooked security risks.
Set Up Strong Permissions and Threat Detection
Strong access controls and precise threat detection mechanisms are vital for maintaining security across the SaaS landscape. Implementing robust permissions reduces exposure to unauthorized access, while accurate threat detection minimizes the volume of security alerts that require investigation. Prioritizing systematic fixes ensures that emerging threats are addressed comprehensively and efficiently.
Establish Detection and Approval Procedures
Develop and enforce detection and approval processes for all connected SaaS applications and OAuth connections, in addition to the core applications. Utilize tools such as the open-source SaaS Event Maturity Matrix to review supported events for connected applications, ensuring comprehensive monitoring and security.
Develop an Incident Response Plan
In response to the increasing threats and vulnerabilities in security governance, the AppOmni team has detailed several strategies to secure a Software as a Service (SaaS) environment effectively. Both businesses and individuals rely heavily on SaaS platforms, making robust security measures critical to protecting sensitive data and maintaining overall system integrity.
The outlined measures aim to close security gaps and enhance the protective shield around SaaS ecosystems. These steps are essential for identifying potential risks and addressing them proactively before they can be exploited by malicious actors. Organizations are encouraged to implement comprehensive security practices that include regular audits, stringent access controls, and continuous monitoring of their SaaS applications.
Moreover, educating employees on best security practices, fostering a culture of vigilance, and ensuring proper configuration of security settings are paramount. By paying close attention to these detailed guidelines, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches and enhance their overall security posture.
In summary, the AppOmni team’s recommendations are crucial for anyone looking to fortify their SaaS environment against evolving threats. By adopting these measures, companies can bolster their defenses, ensure the safety of their data, and maintain trust in their SaaS solutions.
