SaaS Security Measures to Consider When Introducing

SaaS is a convenient service that lowers the hurdle for implementation compared to on-premise products, allowing you to set up an environment with minimal cost. Many companies, regardless of scale, are moving forward with SaaS implementation, but it is also necessary to correctly understand and address the security risks associated with SaaS.

This article explains the security risks that SaaS implementation poses to users, introduces security measures that should be implemented, and points to consider when choosing a SaaS with low security risks.

Table of Contents

1. Security Benefits of SaaS Implementation
   1. Centralized Database
   2. Avoid Leakage via Email
   3. Eliminate Aging Systems
2. Security Risks Associated with SaaS Usage
   1. Security Measures Depend on the Vendor
   2. Vulnerable to Account Information Leakage
   3. Cannot Prevent Vulnerabilities in the Communication Environment
3. Security Measures SaaS Users Should Take
   1. Set Access Permissions Granularly
   2. Strictly Enforce SaaS Usage Rules
   3. Strengthen Internal Security Separately
4. Points to Consider When Choosing a SaaS with Low Security Risks
   1. Confirm the User’s Scope of Responsibility
   2. Check ISO Certification Status, etc.
   3. Confirm the Support System
5. Summary

1. Security Benefits of SaaS Implementation

SaaS implementation is not only convenient but can also lead to the introduction of more advanced security than before for some companies. This is because by implementing SaaS:

• Centralized Database
• Avoid Leakage via Email
• Eliminate Aging Systems

…benefits can be expected.

1-1. Centralized Database

By implementing cloud storage or customer management systems, all company information can be centralized into the SaaS database, making it possible to avoid the risk of information leakage and unauthorized access.

If data management has been under the independent management of employees, or stored on USB storage without passwords, migration to SaaS allows for integrated management.

You can grasp at a glance who is handling what information where, and minimize the risk of leakage.

1-2. Avoid Leakage via Email

If you consolidate internal information sharing into SaaS communication tools, you can avoid the security risks associated with using email.

Malware infections via email are still frequently confirmed in various companies, but by introducing chat tools and integrating communication there, you can reduce the chances of encountering suspicious emails.

1-3. Eliminate Aging Systems

If the system used internally is so old that security updates cannot be performed, migrating to SaaS will directly lead to security enhancement.

Since SaaS is a service where the vendor performs system maintenance, security measures can also be entrusted. If your company’s security environment is outdated, SaaS implementation is also effective as part of security enhancement.

2. Security Risks Associated with SaaS Usage

As mentioned above, SaaS implementation is attracting attention as a measure that directly contributes to security enhancement, but on the other hand, there are concerns that the use of SaaS itself may pose security risks.

2-1. Security Measures Depend on the Vendor

SaaS implementation leads to security enhancement if your company’s security environment is vulnerable, but if existing measures are sufficient, it may rather introduce vulnerabilities.

This is because the security measures of the SaaS itself depend on the vendor, so you cannot apply your company’s security requirements to the service. Also, if there is a problem with the vendor’s measures, you may easily suffer from cyberattacks, and the impact may spread throughout your company.

2-2. Vulnerable to Account Information Leakage

SaaS is a service that is used by creating a dedicated account, but if even one employee leaks that ID to the outside, it may induce unauthorized access.

Although some services can quickly detect and avoid suspicious access, it is difficult to avoid what is recognized as normal access, which may lead to serious information leakage.

2-3. Cannot Prevent Vulnerabilities in the Communication Environment

In addition, if the internet environment itself has vulnerabilities, it may be subject to cyberattacks due to this. SaaS is a service that can promote the introduction of remote work, but if there is a problem with the employee’s home internet environment, it may lead to unauthorized access.

3. Security Measures SaaS Users Should Take

In order to avoid the security risks associated with SaaS usage as described above, it is important for SaaS users to implement the following measures:

3-1. Set Access Permissions Granularly

SaaS is a convenient tool, but it also has the aspect that it can be easily accessed with just an ID and password. Even if you ask employees to manage these strictly, it is difficult to eliminate the possibility of them being leaked to the outside due to careless mistakes.

Therefore, set access permissions granularly for each employee’s position, and build an environment where they cannot easily access highly confidential information. By doing so, even if account information is leaked to the outside, the access rights are limited to the scope of that account, minimizing leakage.

3-2. Strictly Enforce SaaS Usage Rules

When using SaaS, it is also important to decide in detail what kind of work, where, and how it should be used.

For example, not just any cloud service is acceptable, but by systematizing the use of a designated service within a designated business, you can avoid incidents such as ID information leakage.

3-3. Strengthen Internal Security Separately

Since there are limited security measures that can be applied to SaaS, consider strengthening security in other areas as well.

For example, basic internal security updates and the introduction of security software are measures that should always be implemented. In addition, introduce an unauthorized access detection system to quickly detect cyberattacks and have a mechanism to shut out data.

4. Points to Consider When Choosing a SaaS with Low Security Risks

In addition, selecting a SaaS with thorough security measures in the first place is important for risk avoidance. The following points can be mentioned as points for product selection:

4-1. Confirm the User’s Scope of Responsibility

First, confirm the scope of responsibility of the user defined by the SaaS vendor. You need to understand how much responsibility the vendor will take in the event of an incident and take security measures accordingly on your own.

4-2. Check ISO Certification Status, etc.

Choose a SaaS that has objectively verifiable achievements such as ISO certification. It is important to check how excellent security measures are being implemented and to take a proactive stance in avoiding your company’s risks.

4-3. Confirm the Support System

In the unlikely event of an incident, check if the service is reliable. You should prioritize services that have a highly reliable environment, such as 24-hour support and prompt response using phone or chat.

Summary

This article introduced the existence of security risks associated with SaaS usage and how to avoid the risks of SaaS usage.

It is nearly impossible to eliminate the risk of cyberattacks using any method, but it can be minimized by consciously working on product selection and reviewing the internal environment. Understand the current state of your company’s security measures and the security requirements of the SaaS itself before proceeding with service implementation.

Contact globalsupport@jiran.com for further assistance.