Today, organizations increasingly rely on SaaS to streamline operations and improve productivity. However, security concerns have grown exponentially.
Recently, AppOmni released their State of Saas Security 2024 Report, offering important insights into the evolving trends and challenges of Saas security. Below, we’ll explore the report’s most significant findings.
As SaaS adoption grows, so does the need for robust security practices. Constructure Technologies offers a range of cybersecurity solutions to help safeguard your business against the evolving threats in today’s digital landscape.
Top 7 Insights from the State of SaaS Security Report in 2024
1. Decentralized responsibilities creates confusion
SaaS security responsibilities are often decentralized, creating ambiguity over who is accountable when security incidents occur.
Currently, businesses enjoy greater autonomy to adopt SaaS solutions. However, they may not always prioritize or understand the necessary security controls.
This leaves security professionals like CISOs in a difficult position. They are often held accountable for breaches in systems they don’t directly control. Clearer role definitions and centralized oversight could help reduce this tension and strengthen security.
2. SaaS adoption exceeds risk awareness
Organizations are quick to adopt SaaS tools. However, they often fail to assess the security risks associated with third-party integrations.
Many companies lack visibility into their full SaaS footprint—especially SaaS-to-SaaS connections.
The report found that as many as 34% of respondents didn’t know how many SaaS apps were active in their organizations.
Greater awareness and visibility is needed to effectively understand and navigate SaaS risks.
3. Enforcement of security policies falls short
The report shows that while many organizations have security policies in place, enforcement is often inconsistent.
For instance, 90% of respondents reported policies to restrict the use of unsanctioned apps. However, a third believe these policies are not being strictly enforced.
Organizations may not have a complete view of the apps in use or the data being accessed, leaving them exposed to security risks. Organizations should focus on automated monitoring and regular audits to enhance enforcement and reduce risk.
4. Declining confidence in sanctioned apps
Recent high-profile breaches have led to a decrease in confidence around the security of sanctioned apps. Many organizations are increasingly aware of the risks to sensitive data. However, they still lack a comprehensive understanding of potential threats.
Although these apps undergo vetting and meet certain security standards, continuous monitoring is essential to protect against new and evolving vulnerabilities.
5. Lack of post-deployment security attention
Attention to security often decreases after initial Saas app deployment. Organizations rely heavily on initial vendor credibility or one-time audits.
The report indicates that maintaining SaaS security requires ongoing diligence, rather than just at the time of deployment. Regular assessments and automated alerts for configuration changes can help ensure security remains robust over time.
6. Lack of standardized solutions
Confusion surrounding SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) tools leaves organizations juggling multiple solutions to secure their SaaS environments.
With no universally accepted framework, companies often deploy multiple tools to address security needs. A unified approach to SSPM, which includes monitoring, access controls, and threat detection, is essential for effective SaaS security.
7. Competing priorities and pressure to demonstrate ROI
As budgets tighten, cybersecurity teams must demonstrate a clear ROI for their investments.
Many CISOs are now expected to quantify the impact of their security programs and show measurable risk reduction. This push for efficiency demonstrates the need for strategic, data-driven investments that align with an organization’s priorities.