A Detailed Orientation To SaaS Application and its Security Aspect

With the enormous utilization of the internet and business goals to save additional expenses, SaaS applications are coming to light. Such applications are now running in every organization, handling extensive confidential information.

Therefore, it makes firms focus more on understanding SaaS application security. So, we have curated the most prominent SaaS app security aspects, covering the primary user’s perspective from each end.

Let’s have a look at it.

A Brief Introduction to SaaS Application and its Usage

SaaS or Software as a Service is an advanced cloud-based mechanism that leverages end-users to utilize applications without installation. More straightforwardly, it aids the stakeholders in accessing the apps through browsers and performing operations as they are running on their own devices.

Such applications can fulfill each of your requirements, even if you are low on budget. You only require a system, a browser, and an internet connection to use the SaaS applications.

Moreover, you don’t have to worry about upgrades, as the cloud vendor will do it automatically. You will have the interface of your application on your screen, and server operations will get automatically executed.

Furthermore, the following are some primary reasons and utilization of SaaS applications:

• It streamlines the administrative task of providing a standard application to large users.
• It helps you save money, as you pay only for the resources getting utilized.
• When any new code gets deployed, it gets reflected at each user’s end.
• SaaS infrastructure leads to running highly power-consuming apps on an average system.

Real-Life Significant SaaS Application Examples

Daily, we all utilize some SaaS applications, among which the most common are Gmail and Microsoft Outlook. When you access these apps through a web browser, it runs on the servers of the respective publisher.

Let’s look at the bigger picture, how organizations benefit from SaaS.

Suppose you are a system administrator in an organization with hundreds of employees. And you get a task to connect everyone through Microsoft Outlook.

So, in this case, you get two choices. First, install Outlook on every computer system, which can take weeks or months. Second, to set up Outlook for everyone on a SaaS cloud within a minimal time.

It’s clear that you will select the second option, as it will aid you in saving time. In addition, you will get the same functionalities of the app installed on a system.

And you don’t have to upgrade the software or hardware of any computer, as Outlook will be running through the browser, utilizing cloud server resources.

Further, as per BetterCloud, 80% of the applications used in an organization are SaaS-based. And, the statistics will grow by 5-10% more by 2025.

SaaS Architecture and its Working Scenario

IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS are the three primary infrastructures in cloud computing. And SaaS gets the highest preference by companies, as the vendor covers server and security maintenance. You only have to configure your applications and provide access, and your users will start operating on them.

Moreover, SaaS also provides built-in tools for performing administrative tasks. You can monitor the performance, assign new resources, and manage databases, operating systems, and networking functionalities.

And the main benefit is that you don’t need to set up any additional hardware to execute all such operations. An internet connection and a system are all you need.

Benefits of Software as a Service Applications

Highly Affordable

SaaS infrastructure lets you minimize your server costs to the lowest. Cloud vendors offer different types of deals, such as pay-as-per-use. Under such an agreement, you only have to pay for the resources getting utilized.

Recommended: Top SaaS Security Risks & How to Prevent Them?

For instance, if the cloud provider charges $50/month for 100 GB of storage space. Then you will only pay $50 once you cross the defined limit.

And when you utilize more storage space, you only have to pay more. Therefore, cost directly relies on usage.

Platform and Device Compatibility

You don’t require any particular operating system to access and operate SaaS applications. A constant internet connection and a web browser are the primary requisites. Whether you are a software publisher or an end-user, it benefits both.

Organizations can directly upload the code over the cloud, leveraging users to use their software. And stakeholders benefit from accessing software without performing any additional configuration. As a result, user experience improves, and productivity increases.

Improves Inter-Department Operations

As SaaS applications are always connected to the internet, sharing and updating data in real time is easy. Most firms use a SaaS Enterprise Resource Management system, connecting each department through a centralized cloud server. It helps the departments to view live data flow and move further accordingly.

Moreover, it helps to organize the tasks to run the agile sprints effectively and seamlessly. And, if the company adds a new feature for a particular or entire staff, it gets updated directly from the backend.

Anywhere Anytime Access

One of the main benefits of SaaS applications is around-the-clock access. You can always access the application and execute your operations, whether working from the office or remotely. In addition, the SaaS services are available 24/7 in every region, enabling you to schedule work accordingly.

It removes the roadblocks and helps you create a smooth workflow to achieve timely targets. The staff member has to log into the portal through the browser, and appropriate resources will be available.

High-end Security

Cloud vendors follow all the NIST and ISO guidelines to maintain data integrity, confidentiality, and availability. Cloud providers configure the latest mechanisms for their protection, whether it’s security for hardware components or the software running on the server.

Furthermore, you get the leverage to set up additional access, authentication, and authorization control for better security. Besides, cloud vendors maintain servers’ physical security and performance under the same subscription.

Prominent Data Storage and Backup

When you operate SaaS applications, it utilizes the processing power of cloud servers rather than your system resources. Although cloud vendors have a mammoth storage facility, you can handle the increase in storage demand. SaaS allows you to scale up resources within minutes for efficient business execution.

In addition, it also offers automatic data backup and restoration, never letting you lose any data. Also, if you face any cyber-attack, it will aid you in restoring your data and continuing business operations.

Listing Up the Primary Security Implications for SaaS Applications

SaaS applications offer numerous benefits, empowering business processes. However, there can be some conditions that can heighten the risk of facing a cyber-attack.

Misconfiguration

Misconfigurations are uncommon in any SaaS infrastructure, as cloud providers cross-verify the server setups. However, there can be a slight probability of misconfiguration due to human error. In addition, if you make any mistake during the setup, it can also work as a loophole for the attacker.

Therefore, the cloud vendor and the user can be responsible for the attack through misconfiguration. For instance, if you provide administrative controls to a low-level staff member, it will be a misconfiguration from your end.

Non-Compliance with Industry Standards

In every sector, you will find some regulatory organizations which define some standards for seamless operations. The same is the case with SaaS application developers and cloud vendors. Both must follow NIST, ISO, and other mandatory government protocols to ensure data and system security.

If anyone among both is not able to meet the requirements, it lacks achieving the utmost security. As a result, attackers find the system vulnerable and execute cyber-attacks. Moreover, legal action can also be imposed if the SaaS app is not up to the standards.

Outdated Access Controls

When configuring a SaaS application, setting up its access controls is crucial. Any loophole in access control can open doors for a malicious actor to enter the organizational network. However, if your application has an outdated access control system, hackers will likely crack it quickly.

Furthermore, your administration and other backend accounts will be at risk with such a system. And your data will have a higher probability of being modified unauthorizedly.

Data Processing in Original Format

Nowadays, hackers utilize numerous strategies to understand the type of data the application processes. However, if they find something meaningful, they try to breach it. And processing your data in its original format is the primary vulnerability, attracting data breaches.

In addition, even a SQL injection attack can lead you to face heavy loss if you store and transfer data in the original format. It’s not only limited to the user data; even the application’s source code available in its first form attracts crackers.

Lack of Hardware Controls

Maintaining hardware is the cloud vendor’s responsibility. However, you must check the services the provider offers before finalizing it. It is essential to configure physical locks to protect servers from unauthorized access.

Furthermore, if a dedicated system is running the administrator’s account, you must protect it using hardware controls. Otherwise, a third person can access it illegally and modify the application.

Mechanisms to Strengthen the SaaS App Security

Regular Audits and Updates

You should perform frequent audits to consistently comply with the latest standards and regulations. This practice is essential for both the cloud service provider and the user. It will help to discover the vulnerabilities in the system and patch them as soon as possible.

In addition, you will get to understand your system thoroughly and update it accurately to meet business goals. And you will also analyze an increase in performance, quality, and security.

Usage of Code Signing Certificate

Utilizing Code Signing Certificate will help you protect the application code from illegitimate modification. It will convert the overall code into an unreadable format by performing hashing and encryption. As a result, if attackers try to read and modify source code, they will not be able to read it.

Moreover, Code Signing Certificate will also enhance your business reputation. Whenever any end-user runs your application, its system will not show any warning message. Hence, your users will have a secure and seamless experience.

Selecting the Best Code Signing Certificate:

An extended validation code signing certificate is a perfect choice for publishers providing SaaS applications. It gives the top-most level of security and fulfills the requirement of aligning with all industry regulations. Moreover, it offers instant legitimacy recognition across platforms.

Overall Data Encryption

Securing user and other confidential data is as essential as encrypting the source code. So, you always configure the latest hashing, salting, and encryption algorithms over data in databases and transactions.

It will help you maintain data integrity, and even a SQL injection gets successfully executed. It will prevent the attacker from reading information and performing any further action.

Additionally, you should always verify cloud vendors’ encryption standards to process your data securely.

Two-Factor Authentication

You must always focus on authentication security when setting up any SaaS application. It will help authorize only legitimate users to access the software and utilize resources.

And always try to configure a two-factor authentication mechanism. With its help, all your users will be a step ahead of getting affected by spoofing and account takeover attacks.

Concluding Up

SaaS applications are trending and utilized by more than 70% of organizations. It aids the firms in saving server maintenance and upscaling costs, as the cloud provider provides all such services. However, in some aspects, application security comes under the provider and the user. Hence, both have to maintain it on their end.

Furthermore, the most significant way to secure a SaaS app is to encrypt its code and data to ensure integrity. And frequently auditing to find loopholes and patch them. SaaS applications are one of the finest ways to enhance productivity but ensure you focus on all its security aspects.

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