What Is SaaS Security In The Cloud
SaaS Security (stands for Software-as-a-Service). This is a cloud-based software that enables businesses to subscribe to applications without hosting them on their own. SaaS has gained popularity because businesses do not have to buy servers or any other infrastructure or even hire in-house staff. Some common examples of SaaS applications include Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office 365, and Cisco Webex.
Benefits Of SaaS
A study by Market Research Future estimated that the SaaS market would grow 21% annually, reaching $117 billion by the close of 2022. The growth of SaaS can be attributed to:
- On-demand and Scalable Features: There is no limit to how much storage a business can buy. Furthermore, organizations can also purchase end-user licenses and other essential features whenever they need them.
- Fast Implementation: With SaaS applications, you can subscribe and get the services instantly. On-premise applications take more time for implementation.
- Easy to Maintain and Upgrade: SaaS providers handle updates and patches discreetly. This means the customer will not notice maintenance services and upgrades.
- Cost-effective: SaaS applications save businesses the cost of hiring staff and paying for infrastructure. This means there is no need for in-house hardware and licenses. Moreover, organizations do not need IT staff to help with the maintenance of the application.
SaaS Security
SaaS applications contain sensitive data that is accessible from almost any device. This poses a high risk to privacy and sensitive data. This is why it is vital to have SaaS Security in the cloud. Although some SaaS providers secure the platform, applications, network, physical infrastructure, and operating system, they may not offer security for customer data or people who have access to it.
It is crucial to track SaaS metrics and deal with a provider that offers a wide range of SaaS security options. SaaS security should involve securing a user’s privacy and company information in subscription-based cloud software.
According to Gartner, by 2022, 95% of cloud security failures will be because of the customers. Below are some of the SaaS security practices that businesses can adopt to secure data in their SaaS applications:
1. Preventing Account Takeovers
Many people do not renew their passwords. Some people even save passwords on their systems, posing a high risk of account takeovers. Businesses should invest in SaaS security programs that ensure strong authentication processes to prevent cybercriminals from taking over accounts. The emphasis on strong passwords and multi-factor authentication is a crucial part of SaaS security.
SaaS security programs also protect the identities of your clients and other private information. This is important for customer retention. No customer would consider remaining loyal to an organization that has experienced a significant data breach. With SaaS security programs, you can rest assured that hackers will not penetrate your systems.
2. Blocking Attacks
Many organizations regularly experience cyber-attacks such as ransomware, phishing, Trojan horse, spyware, DDoS, and other attacks. Most of these attacks succeed due to SaaS weaknesses. Businesses should implement comprehensive SaaS security that can counter common system threats.
Cyber-attacks have become more sophisticated over the years to the point of outdoing many security systems. However, SaaS-based platforms can also change quickly. Organizations should invest in SaaS security programs that are capable of detecting and preventing cyber-attacks by implementing AI. This enables them to identify malicious user activity, prevent potentially dangerous access, and identify patterns that are likely to end in a phishing scam.
3. Solutions That Apply To Different Programs
Some SaaS security solutions are only suited for specific cloud applications. This is a significant challenge for SaaS security. Since many businesses use various programs and specialized enterprise software, it is crucial to invest in a comprehensive SaaS security solution. Solutions like CloudGuard offer protection for all types of programs from off the shelf solutions to industry-specific applications.
4. Cloud Data Encryption
Data encryption protects data that is in storage and that is being transferred to the end-user or sent between cloud applications. Industry regulations require businesses to encrypt sensitive data. Sensitive data is anything from healthcare data, financial information, to personal identifiable information.
Although SaaS vendors offer some form of encryption, businesses should improve data security by implementing their own encryption. For example, an organization can invest in a cloud access security broker.
5. Implementing Data Loss Prevention
Data loss prevention software is crucial for monitoring sensitive data within a SaaS application. It also tracks and blocks the transmission of sensitive information. The software prevents hackers from downloading sensitive information. It also blocks malware and phishing attacks.
In Conclusion
Many businesses have adopted Software-as-a-Service to improve productivity and cut down operating costs. However, this technology has its share of challenges. One of the risks attached to SaaS applications is cybersecurity and cyber-criminals. It is important for organizations that use SaaS applications to implement security measures that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information and data loss.
