Proactively Secure your Small Business Apps

In 2022, many small-to-medium businesses continued to shift their operational activities to cloud. With this trend, Software as a Service (SaaS) application security comes to the forefront as a critical area requiring protection from major cyber threats. Here’s what your small business needs to know about app security and how a Managed Service Provider (MSP) can help protect your business from data loss.
 
Simply stated, application security is the practice of using security software, hardware, best practices and standards to protect applications from external security threats.  

The Okta 2022 Businesses at Work study found that the average number of apps that organizations deploy has now grown to 89. 

 Why is Application Security Important? 

• Vulnerabilities are common 
• Attacks are increasing as more and more businesses adopt cloud applications 
• Investing in a proactive approach will help your business identify attacks before they occur 

What is the Most Common SaaS Attack Vector? 

The most common tactic identified in one of the industry’s leading SaaS security reports, SaaS Xlerts 2023 Report was brute force, also known as an exhaustive search or brute force cracking. This tactic involves hackers compromising end user accounts by guessing possible combinations of user’s account passwords until the correct password is discovered. Hackers rely on computers to do their work for them; trying different combinations of usernames and passwords until they find the one that works. 

Source: Hive Systems https://www.hivesystems.io/password

With today’s computing power, it doesn’t take long for a hacker to crack an 8-character password. See above graphic from Hive Systems demonstrating just how long it takes to compromise accounts with weak and short passwords. This is why password length matters. Other common SaaS security issues include: 

• Cloud Misconfigurations 
• Malicious insider (employee) threats 
• Email phishing 
• Ransomware 
• Shadow IT 
• Software vulnerabilities 
• Poor encryption 
• Weak passwords 
• DDoS attacks

How an MSP can Help Safeguard your Data and Apps? 

Most MSPs will recommend a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity. Here's are some of the most important ways you can protect your data and apps: 

• Single Sign On (SSO): We incorporate a single identity provider via SSO and ensure that identity provider has Multifactor Authenticator and conditional policies 
• Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): A tool that enforces an organization’s security policies 
• Nucleus Managed Security: Our multi-layered solution that provides your business with enterprise-level endpoint security that offers advanced protection from ever-evolving cyber threats  
• Enforce proper configuration of all SaaS applications
• Monitor file sharing activity 
• Delete unnecessary user accounts 
• Monitor app integrations 
• Cybersecurity awareness training 
• Cybersecurity best practices i.e., password management 
• Help develop an incident response plan and acceptable use policies 

As the reliance on cloud applications continue to grow, so do the potential cyber risks. Managed Services Providers provide businesses with a multi-layered security solution and help you stay ahead of the threats. If you are concerned with any aspect of security at your business, reach out to us to learn about our security assessments or schedule a meeting.