SSPM, or SaaS Security Posture Management, is an automated security solution designed specifically to monitor and manage potential risks within Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications. SSPM tools identify risks such as misconfigurations, dormant user accounts, over-privileged user roles, and potential compliance infractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM), SSPM focuses solely on SaaS applications, ensuring that platforms like ServiceNow, Office 365, and Salesforce remain secure from potential threats. In a world where SaaS solutions are central to business functionality, SSPM acts as the guardian, maintaining the integrity and security of these essential tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gartner<\/a> introduced the SSPM (SaaS Security Posture Management) category to represent solutions dedicated to ongoing risk evaluation and management of the security stature of SaaS applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Security posture refers to the status of an enterprise’s resources and capabilities in place to detect, mitigate, and respond to cyber security threats. It encompasses a wide range of tools and controls to safeguard your data, users, networks, and devices, including information security, network security, data security and penetration testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The concept is the same with SaaS security posture, but it applies to SaaS applications, which are cloud-hosted solutions rather than an internal network. This is what differentiates SaaS security from traditional network security. Since SaaS tools are hosted remotely, they are substantially out of your organization’s control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because they are accessed through the internet, from any device, anywhere in the world, they can increase your attack surface and risk of unauthorized access. As a solution, SSPM tools help close security gaps in your SaaS applications by detecting the security risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) leverages SaaS security controls and continuous SaaS application monitoring to help you maintain a strong security posture. SSPM can help you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n An SSPM tool, which stands for SaaS Security Posture Management tool, is a specialized software solution designed to manage and enhance the security posture of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications. Given the widespread adoption of SaaS applications in modern business environments, ensuring their security is of utmost importance. SSPM tools address this need by helping organizations identify and rectify potential vulnerabilities specific to their cloud-based software applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) ensures SaaS application security by providing a means for visibility, policy enforcement, alerting, and remediation. Here\u2019s a closer look at how SSPM works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first step involves cataloging all the SaaS applications in use within an organization. This discovery phase ensures that there are no “shadow IT” applications (unsanctioned apps) being used without the IT department\u2019s knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SSPM tools continuously scan the configurations of the SaaS applications to identify any settings or parameters that might be vulnerable or pose a security risk. This includes checking for weak password policies, improper sharing settings, and any other security misconfigurations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Organizations can set predefined security policies within the SSPM tools. When a misconfiguration is identified, the SSPM solution can either automatically rectify it or send alerts to administrators for manual intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SSPM solutions monitor user activities and access patterns. This helps in identifying unusual behaviors like excessive permissions, unused accounts, or potential insider threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many SSPM tools come with built-in checks for various compliance standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and more. They ensure that the SaaS applications are aligned with the necessary compliance requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Advanced SSPM solutions may also incorporate threat detection capabilities. They can identify suspicious or malicious activities within SaaS applications, like data breaches or unauthorized data access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most SSPM tools can integrate seamlessly with other security and IT tools. This integration ensures that alerts and data can flow between systems, providing a holistic view of the organization’s security posture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SSPM solutions often offer detailed reporting and dashboard capabilities. Administrators can get an at-a-glance view of the security posture of their SaaS apps and dive deeper into any potential issues or historical data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some SSPM tools have the capability to not only detect but also automatically rectify certain vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. This ensures that vulnerabilities are addressed swiftly, minimizing potential exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SSPM, cloud access security broker (CASB), and cloud security posture management (CSPM) are pivotal in the cloud security context. While they all share the mutual goal of enhancing cloud security, their functionalities and scopes differ. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n\n\n\n CASB protects sensitive data by combining multiple security policies into one robust defense mechanism. It can be visualized as a gatekeeper stationed between cloud service consumers and providers, ensuring that traffic complies with the company’s security policies. It has the flexibility to be hosted on the cloud, on-premises, or as stand-alone software. Moreover, CASB’s scope extends to a range of cloud environments such as platform-as-a-service (PaaS), SaaS, and infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), making it a versatile solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conversely, SSPM narrows its focus predominantly to SaaS applications. It hones in on the security configurations and user activities within these apps, rather than taking a holistic view of the broader cloud ecosystem like CASB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SSPM shares common ground with cloud security posture management (CSPM) in monitoring cloud applications for potential configuration weaknesses. However, their approach and depth of inspection vary. CSPM delves deeper into the intricacies of cloud configurations, pinpointing specific vulnerabilities that could jeopardize network security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Imagine a scenario where a user is inadvertently granted elevated privileges that allow them to access confidential segments of a cloud application. CSPM is designed to spot and rectify such lapses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, CSPM integrates advanced automation to consistently scan and evaluate potential security gaps, recommending or implementing remedial measures where necessary. This proactive stance empowers businesses to perpetually assess risks, rectify misconfigurations, maintain cloud security, and safeguard sensitive organizational data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In essence, while SSPM offers a microscope to closely inspect individual applications, CSPM provides a telescope, enabling businesses to view and secure their entire cloud galaxy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) serves as a gatekeeper between cloud users and multiple cloud services, ensuring company-wide security policies are followed. In contrast, SSPM (SaaS Security Posture Management) specifically targets the security of SaaS applications, continuously assessing and managing potential vulnerabilities. Essentially, CASB provides broader cloud security coverage, while SSPM specializes in safeguarding SaaS applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gartner, a leading research and advisory company, introduced the term SSPM, which stands for SaaS Security Posture Management. Gartner’s SSPM category refers to solutions that are designed to continuously assess and manage the security posture of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications. These solutions help organizations detect potential vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, or non-compliance in their cloud-native applications. Gartner’s categorization and subsequent reports on SSPM provide insights and guidance for businesses looking to understand and invest in these security tools to enhance their SaaS application security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SSPM (SaaS Security Posture Management) focuses on continuously assessing and optimizing the security configurations of SaaS applications, pinpointing potential vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. On the other hand, SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) offers a unified cloud-based solution combining network security and WAN capabilities, ensuring secure and efficient access to cloud resources for users, irrespective of their location or device. In essence, SSPM addresses SaaS application security, while SASE looks at broader network access and security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n JumpCloud provides customers a unified solution of SaaS, IT security, and asset management<\/a> that empowers them to eliminate shadow IT and gain full visibility into all apps and cloud infrastructure in an all-in-one solution. JumpCloud\u2019s help customers to deliver secure and streamlined user provisioning, access request management, and utilization monitoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our customers tell us that asset management is also important for security and IT operations. JumpCloud is enhancing its platform<\/a> to unify SaaS, IT security, and asset management.transactions. SSPM, or SaaS Security Posture Management, is an automated security solution designed specifically to monitor and manage potential risks within […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":159,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"collection":[],"platform":[],"funnel_stage":[3016],"coauthors":[2580],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat is SaaS security posture?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What Is SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What Is an SSPM Tool?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How do SSPM tools work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Discovery and Inventory\u200d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Configuration Assessment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 3: Policy Enforcement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 4: User and Access Monitoring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 5: Compliance Checks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 6: Threat Detection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 7: Integrations with Other Systems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 8: Reporting and Dashboards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 9: Automated Remediation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5 Key features of SSPM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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SSPM vs CASB vs CSPM: Comparative Analysis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
SSPM vs. CASB<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
SSPM vs. CSPM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Frequently Asked Questions about SSPM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is the difference between CASB and SSPM?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What is Gartner SSPM?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What is the difference between SSPM and SASE?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Learn about JumpCloud<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You can try JumpCloud for free<\/a> to determine if it\u2019s right for your organization.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"