SaaS, or Software as a Service, allows many organizations to subscribe to the applications they require while taking away the need to host them in-house.
SaaS has become extremely popular due to its ease of use and convenience. As a result, providers often secure the platform, network applications, infrastructure, and so on. However, it is predicted that by 2022, 95% of cloud security failures will be due to the client’s security risks. Thus, SaaS requires a few best practices to ensure that customer data and user access are protected from the organization’s end. Here are some ways you can keep your SaaS applications secure.
1. Encrypt Cloud Data
Data encryption for your cloud data can protect data while it is in storage, as well as during transit. This includes its transit between cloud applications, as well as between the end-user and the cloud. SaaS vendors might already provide encryption, but organizations can enhance the security by adding a cloud access security broker. The extra protections are crucial, especially when storing or dealing with confidential information like financial data, healthcare records, or personally identifiable information.
2. Multi-Factor Authentication
Access control is an essential aspect of maintaining security for SaaS applications. This can be strengthened by using multi-factor authentication methods like OTP to registered mobile devices. In addition, it has become increasingly common to access SaaS applications outside of the protected organization network. Thus, multi-factor authentication is an essential step to confirm the identity of the user.
Strong access controls are another part of this step. The accounts used to manage the multi-factor authentication software should also be protected using access control measures. This will help prevent any incidents due to credentials being compromised, thereby protecting your Saas application.
3. Ensure Provider Security
According to the Cloud Adoption and Risk Report, nearly 70% of organizations trust their cloud provider to secure information. However, only about 8% of these cloud providers meet data security standards. This means that undue trust in the provider might leave your data compromised. In addition, only 10% of providers encrypt data in storage, while a mere 18% offer users multi-factor authentication support. Thus, it is essential to audit the SaaS provider’s data encryption policies, security practices, cybersecurity protection, data segregation, and privacy policies. It is also wise to check the regulatory compliance of these providers to global standards. This will help you secure your data.
4. Awareness
You can easily avoid a lot of vulnerabilities simply by educating employees and customers about SaaS security practices. This will make implementing two-factor authentication and security practices much easier while creating a cohesive security culture that can spread throughout the organization.
Your provider does not entirely determine SaaS security. Therefore, you have an equally important role in protecting your data, as well as customer information. This can be done by following the methods listed above, keeping an eye out for any compromised accounts, and staying educated about best security practices to follow.