SaaS (Software as a Service) platforms are a convenient way for companies to carry out business activities in the cloud; however, they also expose companies to cybersecurity risks. This could be anything from data breaches to misconfigured SaaS modules, and, unfortunately, one misconfiguration could lead to irreversible harm. This is where a SaaS security audit comes in handy. Security audits take you step by step through the process of identifying weaknesses, checking for compliance, and making sure that your data and systems are secure.
Regardless of your company size, startup or an enterprise, conducting regular audits to maintain a secure and trusted cloud environment is paramount. In this post, we’ll provide you with 10 useful steps for conducting a SaaS Security Audit the right way.
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10 Easy Steps to Conduct a SaaS Security Audit
Performing a SaaS security audit is crucial to securing your organization’s data and confidence in your cloud-based applications. SaaS applications are becoming commonplace, and those organizations should periodically assess their security practices.
A methodical audit will identify risk, assess compliance, and improve your overall security stance. Security audits can be complicated or technical, but they don’t always have to be. With a sufficient approach, even the smallest teams can manage them. Here are 10 simple steps to help guide you in conducting a successful SaaS security audit.
1. Define the Audit Scope and Objectives
Start by providing clear guidelines for the audit. This includes the SaaS applications, systems, and types of data to be covered. The scope should be clear, with identifiable goals, such as assessing compliance with security requirements or verifying potential vulnerabilities. A clear scope will help to prepare better, allocate resources more effectively, and improve the results.
2. Catalog Every SaaS Application and Data
Make a complete catalogue of all the SaaS solutions that your organization uses – from CRMs to collaboration tools. In addition, categorize the types of data that each handles. Some information must be treated as sensitive (or regulated) – e.g., personal data, payment data, health data created or stored. Once you know what you have, you can understand how to secure it.
3. Gather Security Policies and Vendor Documents
Gather all of the policies, procedures, and documents related to third-party agreements. These documents indicate how your organization handles data, viewed by who, and the vendor’s responsibility and accountability. This information will help you determine if current agreements and policies are addressing security in today’s landscape.
4. Review Security Policies and Procedures
Once they have been collected, review the policies and procedures in detail. Are they current? Do they adequately identify critical areas such as access controls, passwords, and incident response? To update ‘old’ or missing policies is an easy win to improve your overall security posture.
Not sure where your SaaS stands? Talk to our team for a quick security gap analysis.
5. Review Technical Security Controls
Next, review the technologies and systems that are protecting your SaaS applications. This includes firewalls, anti-virus, intrusion detection systems, and encryption. Are they properly configured and up to date? Weak or missing security controls can give attackers better access to you or your customers’ data.
Read also: A Complete Guide to Conduct a SaaS Application Security Testing.
6. Conducting Vulnerability Assessments and Penetration Tests
Utilize both automated tools and manual testing to identify vulnerabilities in your SaaS environment. In performing your testing, utilize simulated real-world attacks to find vulnerabilities before hackers do. Be sure to test APIs, login processes, and data access points.
7. Reviewing Access and User Permissions
Focus on your users’ permissions so they only have access to what they need. In security, this is called the principle of least privilege. Confirm that you are utilizing multi-factor authentication (MFA) where applicable for your users and admin accounts.
8. Assess Industry Standards Compliance
Check if your SaaS tools comply with industry standards (such as GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2, or PCI DSS). Compliance is more than just a legal obligation; it’s a good sign that effective security practices have been followed. Don’t just take the vendor’s word for it; ask for proof where required.
Read our Ultimate Guide to SaaS Security Services.
9. Review Logs and Incident Response
Look for suspicious activity in system logs, and check for abnormalities. If you have a good logging system, it could help identify an attack in its early stages. While you’re reviewing your logs, consider how your incident response plan regions: does your team know what to do in the event of a breach? Are roles clear? If you can respond quickly and in an organized manner, you can reduce the overall damage.
10. Record Findings and Recommend Improvements
Conclude the audit with a thorough, simple-to-comprehend report. Identify what is working, what needs to be fixed, and how to fix it. Include a prioritization of your recommendations so the team can quickly implement changes to the security posture.
Want to see a real pentest security audit report? Download one here.
Latest Penetration Testing Report
Conclusion
A SaaS security audit doesn’t have to be complex either. Following these ten steps will allow you to establish your overall security posture, identify weaknesses, and make recommendations for your organization’s protection. With the cloud-first approach we see today, ensuring regular audits becomes an absolute necessity, not just a service.
Talk to our Cybersecurity Expert to discuss your specific needs and how we can help your business.
FAQ’s
1. What Is a SaaS Security Audit?
A SaaS security audit is a comprehensive assessment of a SaaS provider’s security compliance and system performance. A SaaS security audit is focused on areas like policies, vendor agreements, and data protection practices to see if they hold up to the standard of other peer organizations in the…
2. How Do You Evaluate SaaS Security?
When evaluating SaaS security, it’s important that all layers of the SaaS platform are assessed, from technical controls, user permissions, practices, and compliance. Some levels of organization use a checklist or evaluation framework to make it easier to find gaps and improve overall security.
3. What Is a Kpi In SaaS?
KPIs or key performance indicators are important to understand; they demonstrate business health and user engagement in the SaaS space. Important KPIs are monthly active users, customer churn, retention, and recurring revenue, as they give you insight into the growth and performance of your product.
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