The number of software as a service (SaaS) applications used in organizations is increasing rapidly. Gartner predicts that by 2025, 85% of enterprises will use SaaS products. SaaS has several benefits, but it also has certain challenges, one of which is data security.
When data is stored in the cloud, it is saved on a server that the SaaS provider or third party manages. This can create some serious security concerns. Let’s learn how you can ensure SaaS data security in 2022.
5 Practical Ways to Ensure SaaS Cybersecurity (2022)
However, there are practical ways to ensure data security when using SaaS. Let’s take a look at effective steps to do that.
1. Maintain a log of your processing activities
Maintaining a log of your processing activities is one of the best ways to ensure cybersecurity with your SaaS. By having this record, you can keep track of all the data processing practices being used and identify any potential vulnerabilities. This also allows you to stay compliant with RoPA and GDPR.
Ensure that such records are up-to-date. You should review and update it regularly and when any new data processing practices are introduced. Additionally, you should ensure that only authorized personnel can access the log.
2. Choose strong passwords and authentication protocols
A strong password is one of the most important steps to take to minimize the chance of a data breach. It should be a mixture of upper and lower case, as well as numbers and special characters. Don’t allow people to set passwords that are easily recognizable words.
Also, ensure that passwords are not the only thing you rely on to permit someone access to their account. So should also go for multi-factor authentication in which someone must complete more than one step to enter. You can also go for face verification for individual team members.
3. Train your customers and staff members
Remember that data security isn’t just the responsibility of the IT department. Everyone in the company needs to know the risks and how to protect the data. That includes customers and partners who have access to your systems.
Training is essential for ensuring that everyone understands their role in protecting the data. It’s also a good way to identify potential security risks before they become a problem.
The content should be tailored to the specific audience, with different levels of training for different roles within the company.
4. Monitor users and their activities
It’s important to monitor users and their roles to ensure your organization’s cybersecurity. By tracking user roles and permissions changes, you can catch any potential SOD violations before they cause harm.
You can also detect any malicious or unauthorized behavior. Regularly monitoring users and their roles is essential to maintaining a strong cybersecurity posture.
5. Hire a cybersecurity service
Data breaches can happen to any business, no matter how big or small. If you want to focus on growing your business rather than ensuring cybersecurity, hiring a cybersecurity firm is a good idea.
They will carry out a vulnerability assessment and offer services like penetration testing. This is a form of ethical hacking. It means that someone with good intentions will hack into your system before someone with bad intentions does.
This will alert you to any vulnerabilities within your software.
If you are unsure, ask for recommendations from other businesses that have already done so. Alternatively, you could check out some of the leading firms in this area, like Symantec or McAfee.
