Imagine finding an app in your SaaS stack and discovering it doesn’t meet necessary security requirements that protect your data. Not exactly the best situation to be in… Even worse, your customers’ data could be exposed, presenting your organization with serious trust concerns and potential legal issues. This is why taking security compliance seriously really does matter.
What Is Security Compliance?
Security compliance involves adhering to industry standards and regulatory requirements designed to protect an organization’s data and sensitive information. As organizations increasingly adopt SaaS applications, it becomes more challenging for security and IT teams to stay compliant with ever-evolving regulations. Security compliance consists of practices that safeguard business information and data, ensuring that organizations follow the standards designed to protect them.
Alarming statistics on security compliance
Recent statistics revealed by Wing’s data team show that 34.3% of the apps in an average organization fail to meet key security requirements for compliance standards like ISO 27001 and SOC 2. This statistic is a stark reminder of the compliance and security gaps that may exist in many organizations’ SaaS environments and highlights the critical need for enhanced oversight and management.
Taking Security Compliance Seriously:
- Exposure to Risk: A significant portion of non-compliant applications means that a substantial amount of organizational data could be exposed to security risks. These apps might lack the necessary security controls, increasing the likelihood of breaches or data leaks.
- Regulatory Non-Compliance: Using applications that do not meet compliance standards can lead to legal consequences and regulatory penalties. Organizations may find themselves in violation of regulations, risking hefty fines and reputational damage.
- Operational Inefficiencies: Managing and monitoring a large number of non-compliant applications can strain IT and security resources, leading to inefficiencies and potential oversight issues. Prioritizing security compliance helps streamline operations and improves resource allocation.
- Trust and Reputation: Non-compliance can erode trust with customer, especially if sensitive data is compromised. Demonstrating compliance through recognized standards helps build confidence and credibility. Taking security compliance seriously is vital for maintaining and enhancing trust and reputation.
Challenges in Achieving Security Compliance
Complexity of SaaS Environments
Managing compliance across a diverse array of SaaS applications presents a significant challenge for many organizations. With modern businesses relying on hundreds of SaaS applications, each one often adheres to different security standards and protocols. This variety makes it difficult to ensure consistent compliance across all apps. Additionally, integrating these disparate tools with existing security infrastructure can be complex and resource-intensive. The decentralization of data across multiple SaaS platforms further complicates efforts to secure and manage it effectively, requiring comprehensive oversight and coordination.
Evolving Regulations
The regulatory landscape for data protection and privacy is continuously evolving, demanding that organizations remain vigilant and adaptable. Regulatory frameworks such as GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA are frequently updated, and organizations must continually adjust their policies and practices to remain compliant. The challenge is compounded by the need to navigate varying regulations across different regions and countries, each with its own compliance requirements.
Shadow IT
Shadow IT, or the use of unauthorized applications and services by employees without IT’s or the security team’s approval, introduces significant risks that complicate compliance efforts. These unsanctioned tools make it challenging to monitor and manage the compliance status of applications. Shadow apps may not adhere to the organization’s established security and compliance standards, potentially exposing sensitive data to breaches and other security threats.
How to Use SSPM for Security Compliance
Discover and Prioritize Your Apps
The initial step with SSPM involves gaining a comprehensive understanding of your SaaS landscape. This means identifying all SaaS applications currently in use within your organization, including both officially sanctioned and unauthorized or shadow IT tools. With an average employee using around 28 different applications, it’s crucial to have a complete inventory to effectively manage and control their security and compliance status.
Once you have a full list of applications, the next step involves knowing the specifics of the apps, such as their purpose, functionality, and user base. Understanding who uses each app and the permissions granted helps identify which applications are most crucial to your organization’s operations and security. This prioritization ensures that resources are focused on managing and securing the most important applications first, reducing the risk of security breaches and compliance violations.
Evidence Collection
Documenting and maintaining a trail of evidence is essential to demonstrate your compliance efforts. Regular access reviews ensure that user permissions align with security policies and compliance requirements. Additionally, generating user access reports provides clear evidence of your compliance status, which is invaluable for audits and stakeholder reporting. This systematic documentation reinforces your commitment to security and compliance.
Solve Issues
Wing Security unlocks advanced features for enhanced SaaS protection. It includes key SSPM capabilities that allow you to:
- Fix User Issues: Addressing user-specific issues related to access and permissions ensures that individuals have appropriate access levels, which is critical for maintaining both security and compliance.
- Remove Risky Apps: Identifying and eliminating applications that pose security risks and reduce potential threats to your organization. Advanced threat detection can alert security teams so they can take action and remove apps that may present security risks.
- Remove Non-Compliant Apps: Quickly identifying and addressing non-compliant applications is crucial for avoiding regulatory violations. Visibility into app compliances is critical for security teams to ensure they meet third-party compliance requirements.
- Reduce Shared Data: Minimizing exposed data by controlling access to sensitive information is essential for reducing the attack surface. Advanced data protection features enable proactive management and security of shared data.
- Identify Risky Events and Solve Them: Detecting and addressing security incidents immediately prevents breaches and unauthorized access. Enterprise-level threat monitoring and response capabilities ensure rapid action to protect your SaaS ecosystem.
Many organizations face a serious challenge when it comes to security compliance. This gap leaves sensitive data vulnerable and puts trust at risk. Meeting standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 isn’t just a checkbox—it’s vital for protecting information and meeting regulatory requirements. Wing SSPM solution offers a practical and efficient way to bridge these gaps. With the visibility and automation provided, organizations can better secure their SaaS environments, protect data, and proactively manage potential risks.
