State of SaaSOps 2024: Securing data in SaaS top IT challenge

This blog is a deep dive of security challenges in this year’s State of SaaSOps.

The influx of SaaS has been a double-edged sword. We’ve embraced the agility and efficiency of cloud-based apps, but keeping our data safe in that sprawling ecosystem? That’s a whole other story.

IT is juggling dozens (sometimes hundreds) of applications, access controls that resemble a plate of spaghetti, and a constant feeling like one wrong click could unleash a data breach nightmare.

The evolving SaaS stack brings many concerns for IT

Managing the SaaS stack brings multiple concerns, but one surpasses them all: Security.

While cost-cutting might be a top priority from the CFO (25%), the State of SaaSOps 2024 report reveals that security is the biggest concern for IT professionals (31%).

This is hardly surprising, considering:

• 76% of respondents are responsible for safeguarding sensitive data within SaaS applications.
• 45% of respondents struggle to secure user activity within those same apps.

While convenient for your team, each application in your tech stack introduces a new set of data protection challenges for IT to address. Not only are IT teams responsible for securing the organization’s data within each app, your team also needs to manage user access and permissions to ensure only authorized personnel can access sensitive information.

Key SaaS security concerns

With IT staff stretched thin due to ongoing consolidation and a shrinking ratio of IT professionals to users (1:95 this year!) the burden of cybersecurity is becoming increasingly heavy.

Here are just some of the top security concerns for IT:

• Lack of visibility into the tech stack: Maintaining compliance and security requires constant vigilance over the entire SaaS environment. Without clear visibility, IT is left flying blind.
• Shadow IT: Unsanctioned applications, those used outside of IT’s approval, lurk in the shadows. These tools can introduce unknown vulnerabilities and compliance risks.
• Third-party integrations: Connecting your SaaS applications to external tools creates a complex web of interactions. Each integration point is a potential security hole that needs to be carefully monitored and secured.
• Misconfigurations and access management: Improper configurations of your SaaS tools and inadequate access controls can be like leaving the front door wide open. Hackers can easily exploit these weaknesses to gain access to sensitive data.
• Sensitive data leakage: Data breaches remain a top concern for IT professionals. With both external attacks and insider threats to contend with, protecting sensitive data requires a comprehensive security strategy with clear visibility at its core.

How IT can strengthen SaaS security

Fortunately, there are strategies IT teams can implement to fortify their data security posture in the realm of SaaS applications.

• Strong access controls: Enforce robust authentication protocols like multi-factor authentication (MFA) to make it harder for unauthorized users to gain access to sensitive data. Implement granular authorization policies to ensure users only have access to the data they need for their specific roles.
• Data encryption: Encrypt data at rest and in transit to render it unreadable even if intercepted by malicious actors. This ensures an extra layer of protection for your most sensitive information.
• Continuous monitoring: Utilize tools and techniques to monitor user activity within SaaS applications. This allows IT teams to identify unusual access patterns that might indicate suspicious behavior.
• Security tools & expertise: Consider leveraging Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) to gain deeper visibility and control over data flow across your SaaS ecosystem. Additionally, partnering with security experts specializing in SaaS environments can provide valuable insights and guidance.
• Empowering employees: Educate your employees on data security best practices. This includes training them to recognize phishing attempts, avoid suspicious links, and report any potential security incidents.

Shrinking budgets, security headaches, and a growing maze of SaaS tools are squeezing IT departments like never before.

But there’s good news! BetterCloud’s 2024 State of SaaSOps report is here, packed with insights from real IT professionals like you. Discover the top IT concerns, how roles are evolving, mastering SaaS security, and why consolidation is the new battlecry.

Download BetterCloud’s 2024 State of SaaSOps report now!