Best Practices to Enhance SaaS Security and Safeguard Digital Assets
Discover the hidden vulnerabilities within SaaS ecosystems and fortify your defenses.
Tamar Cohen, a threat researcher at Wing Security, explores how businesses can safeguard their digital assets against emerging threats.
As businesses increasingly rely on software as a service (SaaS) applications for their critical operations, the complexity of safeguarding digital assets escalates exponentially. The inherent interconnectivity of SaaS applications presents a multifaceted threat landscape that requires vigilant defense strategies. To help IT and security professionals in mid-market businesses protect their digital assets, Wing Security has published a comprehensive analysis of cybersecurity trends and evolving threats. Offering practical tips for bolstering SaaS security, the 2024 State of SaaS Security Report meticulously analyzes data from 493 companies to deliver insights crucial to comprehending the SaaS security challenges organizations currently face and will encounter soon. This article distills those insights, casting a spotlight on the hidden vulnerabilities within SaaS ecosystems and the strategic imperatives they demand.
Persistent Underestimation of SaaS Vulnerabilities
A key takeaway from the report is the pervasive underestimation of SaaS application risks. Nearly all companies (97%) were at risk of exposure through compromised SaaS supply chains, an issue amplified by the worrisome prevalence of Shadow IT. Businesses are often unaware of the extent of SaaS applications used within their operations, which can significantly expand their attack surface.
Further exacerbating the situation is the finding that one out of five companies showed evidence of inadequate offboarding procedures, leaving the door open for former employees to retain access to company data. Employees, on average, juggle 29 different SaaS applications. 85% of organizations have external users accessing data beyond their immediate control and protective IT ecosystem. This transboundary data exchange significantly compounds the complexity of maintaining data security.
Shadow AI: A New Frontier in SaaS Security
Shadow AI, the unknown use of artificial intelligence (AI) within SaaS applications, is a critical concern. With AI’s growing presence in SaaS apps, new and complex data security challenges arise. The report concludes that 99% of organizations are using AI-integrated apps. An in-depth look into SaaS shadow IT revealed that organizations typically use 250% more applications than the workspace query shows. This is concerning, as one out of every five organizations showed signs that users weren’t fully offboarded, potentially retaining access to company data. Often, these AI capabilities are bundled into terms and conditions and updated versions that go unnoticed by users, potentially leading to significant vulnerabilities. The increasing incorporation of Shadow AI-driven apps creates a paradox where AI’s potential for progress brings along unforeseen security threats.
Lessons Learned from Security Breaches
Real-world security breaches offer valuable lessons:
- Consider this recent breach in Slack’s GitHub repositories: Slack’s code repositories were compromised via a third-party app, underscoring the domino effects within SaaS ecosystems. Although no customer data was directly affected, the breach highlights the interconnected risks inherent in the SaaS supply chain and the need for a comprehensive approach to SaaS security that accounts for third-party and supply chain risks.
- The sophisticated attacks on JumpCloud and Okta in the past year highlighted the importance of protecting SaaS identity and access management tools, as it has become a prime target for advanced threat actors.
See More: Combatting LotL Attacks With Proactive Cyber Resilience
Continued and Emerging Cybersecurity Threats
Credential stuffing, a form of cyberattack in which stolen account credentials are used to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, remains a persistent threat. However, new dangers, such as sophisticated methods to bypass Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and token theft, are on the rise. The attack on MGM Resorts International, resulting from a combination of credential stuffing and MFA bypassing techniques, underscores the complex and adaptive nature of SaaS cyber threats.
Reinforcing SaaS Security: A Multidimensional Approach
To counteract evolving threats, the SaaS security report encourages businesses to adopt the following multifaceted security measures:
- Comprehensive Discovery and Risk Management for Third-Party Apps: Essential security evaluations ensure that third-party applications meet strict security standards before integration.
- Proactive Threat Intelligence: The adoption of real-time threat intelligence tools enables quick response and minimizes the impact of breaches.
- Rigorous Data Sharing Protocols: Tightened data access controls and frequent audits can help mitigate unauthorized data exposure.
- Swift Misconfiguration Resolution: Proactively identifying and resolving misconfigurations can prevent breaches before they occur.
- Advanced Anomaly Detection: Using frameworks designed to detect unusual user behavior can stop threats in their tracks.
- Robust MFA Implementation: Broad application of multi-factor authentication can substantially reduce unauthorized access risks.
Leveraging SSPM Technology for Advanced Security
In response to the intricate SaaS vulnerabilities, the report advocates the adoption of SaaS security posture management (SSPM) solutions. SSPM tools are invaluable for achieving extensive oversight and nuanced control over the spectrum of applications, users, and data that constitute an organization’s SaaS landscape and digital infrastructure.
Embracing Proactive Security Measures
With SaaS applications now integral to business operations across various industries, it is vitally important to address their associated security challenges. A nuanced understanding of these risks and a proactive and informed security strategy can provide robust protection against known and emerging threats. The insights from risk analysis underscore the necessity for a forward-thinking approach to SaaS security.
The future of cybersecurity in a SaaS-dominated world will be characterized by the need to stay ahead of threats as complex as they are dynamic. The data and case studies provided in the report highlight the evolving nature of the threat landscape and serve as reference points for organizations aiming to bolster their cybersecurity measures and safeguard the continuity and integrity of their digital operations.
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