SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) is a cloud-based method that provides access to applications and data by using any device. The significant thing about SaaS is that it does not need on-premises software. The SaaS provider is responsible for providing servers and databases to enable customers to access data storage. It makes it only by using Cloud-based servers without any on-premises infrastructure needed.
SaaS, due to its nature of being cloud-based has many benefits such as lower costs, simple use, deployment, and accessibility. For example, SaaS security does not adhere to the traditional infrastructure and is easy to adopt. So, customer contentment and usage rates are higher compared to traditional ones. On the other hand, there are some concerns about SaaS security such as data privacy, system vulnerabilities, and cloud security.
Setting up a SaaS infrastructure will change your business model from a traditional to a modern one. SaaS can be considered as an alternative method that you only pay for software lease for a specific time and do not need to install applications, set up servers, and configurations.
SaaS 101 Security Best Practices
Since the prevalence of remote work systems has increased, many companies moved their business to the Cloud system. According to Netskope Cloud Report, companies use approximately 1.180 cloud apps nowadays. This growth brought new concerns with it. And it is a fact that any failure or negligence in Cloud service can be concluded with a disaster. So, it is important to assure your clients and employees of a safe switching to a cloud-system experience.
To avoid falling victim to the adversities of Cloud systems and SaaS, of course, companies need to be compatible with the best practices of SaaS security. The more companies should invest in internal business and acknowledge the necessities of SaaS security, the more they will avoid being worried about security gaps and undesirable consequences.
1. Periodic Employee Training
Staff training is at the top because, without trained employees who have awareness, no SaaS provider service will be adequate to provide security. Deep information is not needed but employees at least must know the basics of cyber security and cloud infrastructure. So, their mind will be enlightened about what they use and the risks they may face. And most importantly, they can prevent catastrophic consequences with proper risk management guide.
The default on staff awareness and education is irreparable. Because SaaS security is a shared responsibility between the dealer and the user. If one of them fails to fulfill its responsibility, there can not be a well-performed SaaS security implementation.
2. SSPM
To monitor cloud-based systems more effectively, SSPM (SaaS Security Posture Management) can be recommended. With SSPM, companies can recognize misconfigurations immediately and preserve themselves from malicious activities. Mainly because SSPM facilitates compliance and prevents data breaches that are rooted in misconfigurations.
Another key benefit of SSPM is that it regulates the access permissions and makes it easier to decide who has access to which system. So, with SaaS Management, users will have an insight into the risks and it will be easier for them to handle problems.
3. Access Authentication
SaaS security can not be achieved if there is not an adequate authentication system. In SaaS usage, vulnerable data can be anywhere so authentications should be regulated firmly. The most popular authentication method is MFA (multi-factor authentication). It requires more than one verification to access any system. This confirmation keeps your SaaS software safe and lessens the risks. Because this kind of authentication method ensures users that anyone who tries to access any source will need to give two or more credentials. So, authentication will add an extra security layer to your cloud-system security and assist you to practice your best SaaS experience.
4. VPN Usage
Companies keep and transfer sensitive data when they run their businesses. To ensure sensitive data security, many of them use VPN technologies. While using a VPN, their IP addresses are concealed and the data they want to transfer is encrypted. This encryption can be considered a shield. When users send vulnerable data from point A to point B, the data is exposed to many risks. VPN creates a tunnel and provides data encryption. So, vulnerable data is protected from many malicious attacks or any other harmful activities.
When it comes to Cloud systems, the importance of data protection has accelerated. VPN technology is a good choice for SaaS security because it helps to mitigate data leakage risks and enable companies to reinforce their security wall.
5. Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
Cloud apps and services can be protected with specific tools. These tools are also known as Cloud Access Security Brokers. The CASB provides data security, application access, service management, and threat prevention. Imagine a technology that keeps assessing your business activities 7/24 and lightens the burden of the IT team. Now we call it CASB.
These brokers help businesses to determine SaaS applications, user activities, and risks. Supporting your SaaS apps and services with a broker will increase the quality of your work. Monitoring is crucial in SaaS security and CASB is a perfect solution to widen your eyeshot. It offers data covering, store protection, accessibility, and increased scalability.
Conclusion
SaaS solutions offer many benefits and also create some security adversities at the same time. On the one hand, storing the data in the cloud simplifies the business stream when employees access and use data more comfortably. On the other hand, if there is no specific control over the cloud, data will be at risk. To mitigate the risk of SaaS such as security weakness, SaaS security best practices should be put into practice. So, businesses can grow and take advantage of SaaS without compromising on security.
