Is your organization secure? Protecting your business in the SaaS world
Think about your daily work. Chances are, you’re hopping between several online tools – maybe a CRM to track customers, an email platform to communicate, project management software to keep things on track. These SaaS applications have become essential for how we do business, offering incredible flexibility and power. But just like entrusting your valuables to a bank, you need to be sure these digital vaults are secure.
The convenience of the cloud also brings real security questions. How do you ensure your sensitive customer data, crucial business plans, and all that valuable information you entrust to these platforms stays safe? How do you prevent the nightmare scenario of a data breach in your SaaS applications? And with so many different cloud services in play, is there a way to get a handle on protecting everything effectively?
Let’s break down some key ways to build strong defenses around your cloud applications and keep your business safe.
Building strong walls: Essential security practices for your organization
Securing your organization isn’t about building one giant wall; it’s about creating layers of protection. Think of it like securing a house – you have strong locks, maybe an alarm system, and you’re careful about who you give keys to.
Know who’s coming and going
Just like you control who has keys to your house, you need tight control over who can access your cloud applications.
This means strong passwords, using that extra layer of security called multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible, and making sure everyone only has the access they truly need to do their job (RBAC or PoLP – whichever you fancy, or a blend of both!). Regularly checking and updating these permissions is like changing the locks when someone leaves.
Keep your secrets secret
Imagine sending sensitive information through the mail without an envelope – anyone could read it! Encryption acts like that envelope for your data, scrambling it so only authorized parties can understand it. Make sure your data is encrypted both when it’s being transmitted and when it’s stored in the cloud.
Look for weak spots regularly
Just like you’d check your house for any signs of damage or potential entry points, you need to regularly check your cloud applications for security weaknesses. This involves things like security audits and vulnerability scans, which help identify and fix potential problems before they can be exploited.
Prevent data spills
You wouldn’t want sensitive documents accidentally left out in the open. Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools act like a system that helps you identify and prevent confidential information from being shared inappropriately.
Keep a close eye on things
Imagine having security cameras that record everything happening around your property. Comprehensive logging and monitoring of your cloud environment help you track user activity and spot any unusual behavior that could indicate a problem.
Have a plan for the unexpected
Even with the best security measures, things can sometimes go wrong. Having a clear plan for how to respond to a security incident is crucial. This includes knowing who to contact, how to contain the problem, and how to get back up and running smoothly.
Stay up-to-date
Just like keeping your house in good repair, you need to make sure your cloud applications and the underlying systems are always updated with the latest security patches. These updates often fix known vulnerabilities, so applying them promptly is essential.
Protecting your SaaS: A shared responsibility
While protecting a company’s tech stack is primarily IT’s responsibility, collaborating and working together with other employees and departments makes all the difference when protecting your company’s data within SaaS environments.
The best way to strategize for security? At the very beginning of the SaaS lifecycle. When adopting a new solution, check out the application’s security track record like security policies, certifications, and how they handle incidents.
Once the application is purchased, you’ll want to manage user access. Not everyone needs admin access and managing this access is especially important when new employees join the company and other employees leave.
Besides doing your due diligence and ensuring access is given to the appropriate people, you’ll want to work on the foundations of a secure SaaS environment: clear policies for data storage. Once these rules are established, you’ll want to communicate them to your team so everyone can adhere to these ground rules.
Despite all your best efforts, you want to prepare for the worst and have a backup plan. While the SaaS provider likely has backups, having your own independent backups of critical data is akin to a personal emergency fund.
And if there’s anything to highlight as the top importance: educate your team. Regularly conduct security awareness trainings to prevent common issues like falling for phishing scams and keep an open line of communication so they know how to stay safe.
Centralizing your cloud security: Getting a bird’s-eye view
With so many cloud applications in use, keeping track of security can feel overwhelming. Luckily, there are platforms designed to give you a more centralized view:
SaaS management platforms (SMP)
SaaS management platforms (SMP) have become an essential tool for centralized administrative control for IT teams to use to manage every activity related to an organization’s SaaS applications – including users, data, and budgets.
Specifically, a SMP covers 7 main broad tasks:
- Discover every SaaS app and their associated cost (including both sanctioned and unsanctioned application)
- Centralize multi-SaaS configuration and policy management
- Automate the entire SaaS lifecycle with turnkey configurations and templates
- Optimize software costs and alert IT accordingly
- Protect organization identifies and data within SaaS
- Report and measure SaaS availability
- Enable employees to get their jobs done with streamlined and appropriate access
The foundations of a secure tech stack requires visibility and a SMP gives you just that as it integrates with every SaaS application in your tech stack – including those acquired in a merger or acquisition.
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With BetterCloud, IT gains comprehensive control over access, not only by assigning granular permissions within SaaS applications but also by defining access controls for files and folders in platforms such as Google Drive, Box, and Dropbox.
Cloud access security brokers (CASBs)
These act like security guards sitting between your users and your cloud applications. They can monitor activity, prevent data leaks, and identify threats across your SaaS environment.
Identity and access management (IAM) solutions
These platforms help you manage who has access to what across all your applications, often offering features like single sign-on for easier and more secure access.
Securing your cloud applications is an ongoing journey, not a destination. By focusing on these core principles and exploring the tools available, you can build a robust defense and ensure your business thrives safely in the cloud.
Keep your organization secure with BetterCloud
BetterCloud empowers IT professionals to ensure the safety and integrity of the valuable information entrusted to their care.
To truly keep your tech stack secure, you need to cover all your bases. From visibility into access controls to automating access to granular file security settings, BetterCloud has you covered.
Schedule a product walkthrough with BetterCloud to experience the power of IT automation and see firsthand how it can elevate your cloud security to a whole new level.
