All You Need to Know About SaaS as a Security

Software as a service (SaaS) is a software licencing and delivery paradigm in which software is licenced on a subscription basis and is hosted centrally. It is also known as “on-demand software” and was formerly known as “software plus services” by Microsoft. On-demand software and Web-based/Web-hosted software are other terms for SaaS applications.

Users generally access SaaS programmes using a thin client, such as a web browser. SaaS has become a popular delivery model for a wide range of business applications, including office software, messaging software, payroll processing software, DBMS software, management software, CAD software, development software, gamification, virtualization, accounting, collaboration, customer relationship management (CRM), management information systems (MIS), enterprise resource planning (ERP), and invoicing.

• SaaS Security –

Most corporate apps and data were housed on in-house servers until a few years ago. From a security standpoint, this placed the whole burden on the operation, but at least it was apparent what needed to be guarded — and how to do so. The infrastructure was local and well-known. All of that has changed, however, as more organisations use Software as a Service (SaaS) technologies. SaaS tools operate on the cloud, and the programmes raise new security risks, such as vulnerability to new malware and phishing attempts, as well as the possible disclosure of client data. Businesses, on the other hand, may protect these cloud-based systems using suitable SaaS Security solutions. 

The majority of individuals are sluggish when it comes to security. They reuse passwords or save them on their systems, which renders SaaS programmes vulnerable to account takeovers because they are housed in the cloud. One significant benefit of SaaS Security solutions is that it enforces robust authentication procedures, which can prevent accounts from being hijacked by hackers.

SaaS security protects your business clients’ identities and other critical information by tightly guarding staff accounts from hackers. Customers don’t take data breaches lightly, but you don’t have to be concerned since it is well taken care of, with SaaS security services.

• SaaS Application Security –

Application security technologies offered as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS application security) offer significant benefits over on-premises solutions. There is no hardware to purchase or software to maintain with cloud-based SaaS application security technologies, allowing you to reduce capital costs and avoid adding people to handle your security solutions. SaaS application security services may be implemented instantly and produce results immediately, allowing you to start creating ROI on day one. And, as the threat environment develops, SaaS application security services are continually improving, allowing you to maintain your defences up to date without having to regularly upgrade on-premise equipment. 

• SaaS security standards –

Because data security is still cited as the top issue for CIOs with outsourced application services, it should be your top priority, along with physical security for SaaS end-users.

Primarily, you must verify that SaaS providers undertake frequent third-party application security assessments and are ready to share the results in writing with you. Security audits are governed by a number of standards, one of which is SAS-70, which is widely used in the United States. Depending on the application, other standards such as SysTrust, WebTrust, or ISO 27001/2 may be used. 

• SaaS security risks –

If a SaaS company hasn’t bothered to get its system audited to at least one of these criteria, you’re taking on considerably more risk than is necessary. You should not put your faith in a vendor that cannot offer you a recent information audit statement.

Check that the audit statement applies to the SaaS provider’s specific application, not merely the hosting facility, as part of your due diligence. Unfortunately, it has become a popular ruse for new players to pass off the audits of their third-party hosting centre as their own. The two are diametrically opposed. Request an audit statement for the specific application you want to use.