November 13, 2023 at 03:04AM
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is transforming the way businesses operate, but it also introduces security vulnerabilities. Managing SaaS vendors through vendor risk assessments is crucial for securing the supply chain. Here are three steps to assess and manage vendor-related risks in SaaS: gaining visibility into SaaS usage, assessing the security risks of each application, and managing user permissions effectively. By proactively managing vendor risks, organizations can strengthen their digital infrastructure and maintain a secure environment. SSPM solutions enable automated and cost-effective risk assessment.
Based on the meeting notes, it is clear that Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is becoming increasingly important for modern businesses. It allows organizations to allocate resources strategically and improve efficiency. However, it also introduces security vulnerabilities, so it is crucial for security and IT teams to practice effective SaaS vendor risk management.
Vendor risk assessment plays a vital role in securing the supply chain and protecting against third-party threats. It involves evaluating and analyzing risks associated with third-party vendors and service providers, similar to conducting background checks for new employees. This assessment should be done for all SaaS applications, with deeper investigations for business-critical ones.
To assess and manage vendor-related risks in SaaS, organizations can follow these three steps:
1. Gain visibility into SaaS usage: The rise of SaaS has led to the adoption of unsanctioned applications, creating a shadow IT problem. IT teams can address this issue using SaaS security posture management (SSPM) tools to automatically discover all SaaS applications being used in the organization.
2. Assess security risks of each SaaS application: After gaining visibility, security teams should evaluate the security risk level of each application. This includes examining the vendor’s adherence to security protocols, analyzing their size and location, and assessing their transparency in terms of security status.
3. Manage user permissions effectively: Granting excessive permissions to users or applications can lead to security breaches. To mitigate this risk, organizations should implement the least-privilege principle, conduct regular permission reviews, and prioritize administrative roles.
By adopting a proactive approach to vendor risk management and implementing comprehensive strategies to oversee SaaS usage, organizations can strengthen their digital infrastructure and maintain a secure business environment. Modern SSPM solutions can automate these processes at a minimal cost.
Note: The meeting notes also provide information about the author, Galit, who has extensive experience in building cyber platforms for the Israeli Defense Forces. However, this information does not seem directly related to the topic of SaaS and vendor risk assessment.