By Jeremy Ventura, Field CISO, Myriad360
SaaS applications are the backbone of modern enterprises, driving innovation and agility. But as SaaS adoption skyrockets, the risks hidden within these tools are growing just as fast. Too often, organizations assume their cloud tools—like CSPM or identity management platforms—fully address SaaS risks. That assumption leaves doors wide open for attackers.
The reality is stark. Across 3,000 SaaS environments, 1 in 8 accounts were inactive for over 90 days. These dormant accounts often retain sensitive permissions, making them perfect targets for exploitation. And it’s not just forgotten accounts—shadow IT is another ticking time bomb. A study revealed that 51% of SaaS third-party integrations were inactive, yet they remained connected to critical systems.
These gaps aren’t theoretical. I’ve seen them firsthand. At one company, a VP of Marketing trialed a SaaS tool without involving security, integrating the solution into the organization's corporate email environment. The permissions allowed were overly permissive, potentially exposing individual's credentials to potential compromise. That single oversight could have escalated into a breach—something SSPM is specifically designed to prevent.
The SaaS Security Gap
CSPM and identity management tools are vital for any security strategy, but they weren’t built for SaaS. CSPM focuses on cloud infrastructure—databases, containers, and virtual machines—while SaaS applications exist on a completely different layer. Risks like user-level misconfigurations, overly permissive access, and shadow IT fall outside CSPM’s traditional scope.
Similarly, identity management tools ensure secure authentication but don’t address what happens after access is granted. For example, an inactive marketing tool might still have full permissions to sensitive data, yet an identity platform won’t flag it as a risk. These blind spots are exactly where SaaS-specific vulnerabilities live, and ignoring them puts businesses at risk.
The Solution for SaaS Security
SaaS Posture Management (SSPM) fills the gaps CSPM and identity management tools leave behind. It’s purpose-built to secure SaaS environments through three critical capabilities:
- Visibility: SSPM tools create a comprehensive inventory of SaaS applications, including shadow IT, dormant accounts, and third-party integrations. They provide the clarity security teams need to see the full SaaS landscape.
- Risk Assessment: Misconfigurations, overly permissive access, and compliance gaps are quickly identified and prioritized, ensuring high-risk issues get immediate attention.
- Remediation: SSPM tools streamline remediation with automation. For instance, accounts inactive for 90 days can be automatically deactivated, while sensitive data shares are revoked based on preset conditions.
What SSPM Delivers Once Implemented
SaaS Posture Management isn’t just a tool—it’s a transformative approach to security that delivers actionable benefits. Here’s what you can expect once SSPM is integrated into your organization:
Fewer Blind Spots: Proactive Protection: Collaboration Across Teams:In practice, these benefits are game-changing. I’ve seen SSPM identify thousands of misconfigurations across SaaS applications like ServiceNow, Microsoft or even Salesforce, allowing organizations to prioritize and fix vulnerabilities effectively. And when security teams use SSPM to manage third-party integrations, the result is not just a stronger security posture but also fewer operational headaches.
How to Get Started with SSPM
To adopt SSPM, you need more than just tools—you need buy-in across the organization. Here’s how to get started:
- Conduct a Risk Assessment: Many SSPM vendors offer free initial scans that reveal dormant accounts, misconfigurations, and risky integrations. Use these assessments to size your SaaS risk and build momentum for action.
- Integrate SSPM into Governance: Make SSPM a requirement for all SaaS applications, even trial tools. Ensure every application is reviewed for security risks before connecting to sensitive systems.
- Track Metrics: Measure the impact of SSPM by monitoring reduced misconfigurations, fewer dormant accounts, and improved compliance. These metrics demonstrate SSPM’s value to stakeholders.
As SaaS adoption continues to grow, so will the risks. Businesses that embrace SSPM today will not only protect themselves but also position their operations for secure, scalable growth in the years to come.