SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM): Ensure SaaS Security and Compliance

SaaS dominates the cloud services market due to its accessibility, flexibility, scalability, and the hassle-free nature of vendor-managed technical support.

However, the DoControl State of SaaS Data Security 2024 Report highlights that by the end of 2023, the average company had 35,000 sensitive data assets exposed publicly. Additionally, 9 out of 10 companies had former employees accessing assets stored in SaaS apps after leaving the company.

As the adoption of SaaS solutions increases, adopting a zero-trust security posture is crucial for protecting your organization against data loss, managing access control, and securing cloud environments. 

Enter: SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) tools. They safeguard data, applications, and user interactions — ensuring compliance standards are being met.

In this article, you'll learn why SSPM is important, explore four SSPM providers, and find out how Vendr can help you find the right partner to secure your SaaS without breaking the bank.

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What is SSPM?

SSPM is an automated security tool designed to monitor and manage security risks in software-as-a-service applications. It identifies misconfigurations, unnecessary user accounts, excessive permissions, and compliance risks, focusing on SaaS tools like Salesforce, Slack, and Microsoft 365.

Unlike cloud security posture management (CSPM) which addresses an organization's entire cloud infrastructure, SSPM specifically secures SaaS applications. By detecting security risks automatically, SSPM helps businesses avoid unauthorized access and data breaches, ensuring robust security for cloud-hosted applications.

Key components of SSPM

The key components of SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) include:

• Risk assessment: Continuously monitoring and assessing security risks in SaaS applications to identify vulnerabilities and potential threats
• Configuration management: Ensuring SaaS applications are correctly configured to minimize security risks and prevent misconfigurations
• User management: Monitoring and managing user accounts, permissions, and user access levels to prevent unauthorized access and excessive permissions
• Compliance monitoring: Tracking and ensuring policy enforcement and compliance with industry standards and regulations to avoid legal and financial penalties
• Incident response: Promptly detecting and responding to security incidents to mitigate the impact of breaches or attacks
• Automated remediation: Automatically addressing identified security issues to reduce the risk of manual errors and improve efficiency
• Visibility and reporting: Providing comprehensive visibility into the security posture of SaaS applications and generating detailed reports for stakeholders
• Threat detection: Identifying and alerting suspicious activities or anomalies that may indicate potential security threats

By integrating these components, SSPM tools help organizations maintain a robust security posture, protecting their SaaS applications and data from evolving cyber threats.

Benefits of SaaS security posture management

The right SSPM solution helps you oversee the security of cloud applications, helping you identify and eradicate threats more effectively.
SSPM also works well with cloud access security brokers (CASBs), which enforce a company's cloud security rules and control who can access their data. By running regular, automated security checks, SSPM ensures all SaaS applications are compliant with the company's security policies and enhances overall cybersecurity posture.

Some of the top use cases for businesses using SaaS include:

• Enhanced security and compliance: SSPM continuously monitors for misconfigurations, weak controls, and other compliance risks. The software can often automatically correct these issues, reducing the need for manual intervention. Plus, your security team is alerted as soon as a potential threat is detected. SSPM's reporting functionality also streamlines compliance audit preparations, saving you time and effort.
  

• Continuous risk assessment: SSPM helps reduce operational costs by automating security and compliance processes. By continuously monitoring and assessing the security of your SaaS applications, SSPM ensures consistent adherence to security policies and frees up valuable time and resources.
  

• Reduced operational costs: Think SSPM is too expensive? Consider the ransomware attack and data breach suffered by MGM Resort International in September 2023 which cost the company an estimated $100 million from operational disruptions. SSPM prevents costly security breaches like this one by reducing the likelihood of human error, enhancing overall security and compliance and enabling rapid detection and response to potential threats.

Related read: Learn how Extensive managed to save $133K in software spend by transforming its procurement operations with Vendr.

Leading SSPM sellers in the market

As you navigate the evolving landscape of digital security, understanding the offerings of leading SSPM suppliers is crucial. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the top players in the market.

Cloudflare: Overview, key features, and pricing

Cloudflare is a leading provider of digital security and performance solutions. Its tools are designed to enhance security configurations, improve workflows, and ensure data privacy.

Key features: 

• Compliance with GDPR and SOC2
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Single Sign-On (SSO)

Pricing:

Cloudflare's pricing varies based on company size and product tier. For a headcount of 200, annual costs range from $15,400 to $37,800; for 1,000 employees, $41,800 to $91,500; and for over 1,001 employees, $63,800 to $130,700.

Unlock Cloudflare’s advanced security features and discover tailored pricing strategies by exploring our Cloudflare Buyer Guide and get a hassle-free purchase and a fair price.

Wiz: Overview, key features, and pricing

Wiz is a cloud security platform designed to help organizations identify and mitigate security gaps in AWS, Azure, GCP, and Kubernetes environments. It enables businesses to build securely and quickly, protecting against potential threats.

Key features:

• Deep visibility
• Actionable insights
• Automation of security and compliance processes

Pricing:

The pricing for Wiz's licenses is determined by the number of cloud workloads you have. There are two types of these licenses, and the cost will depend on how many and what types of cloud tasks (such as computing, data, and runtime tasks) you need to manage.

Discover how Wiz’s powerful features can enhance your cloud security and learn about exclusive cost-saving strategies in our comprehensive Wiz Buyer Guide and get a hassle-free purchase and at a low price.

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Lacework: Overview, key features, and pricing

Lacework is a leading cloud security automation platform designed for AWS, Azure, and GCP environments. It automates complex security tasks, allowing businesses to focus on the bigger picture. 

The platform emphasizes compliance with key regulations, including GDPR and SOC2, and supports secure access management, ensuring robust protection and alignment with legal frameworks.

Key features:

• AI-driven technology
• Real-time threat detection and risk assessment 
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Single Sign-On (SSO)

Pricing:

Lacework's pricing is based on company size, ranging from $23,200 to $43,000 for organizations with 200 employees, $46,800 to $79,000 for those with 1,000 employees, and $68,500 to $142,500 for companies with over 1,001 employees. 

Explore how Lacework’s AI-driven technology can streamline your cloud security and uncover strategic pricing options in our comprehensive Lacework Buyer Guide and get a hassle-free purchase and a fair price.

Panther: Overview, key features, and pricing

Panther is a cloud-native security solution designed to scale with any business, offering robust protection for both production and corporate environments. By employing an event-driven and actionable approach to security monitoring, Panther efficiently addresses key organizational security needs.

Key features:

• Scalability
• Event-Driven Security Monitoring
• Comprehensive Protection
• Cloud-Native

Pricing:

Panther's pricing options vary considerably depending on the size and complexity of your operations. The maximum price for Panther software can reach up to $795,000, while the average annual cost hovers around $150,000. 

Discover Panther’s scalable, cloud-native security solutions and learn how they can transform your security strategy in our detailed Panther Buyer Guide and get a hassle-free purchase and a low price.

How to reduce your SSPM spend with Vendr

By leveraging Vendr's expertise and services, you can streamline your SSPM investments without compromising on quality or security.

Vendr’s role in procuring secure SaaS solutions

Vendr’s procurement services and negotiation expertise help you secure the best deals on high-quality, compliant SaaS applications. Our streamlined workflows and automated processes ensure efficient management of your tech stack, allowing you to cut back on your manual tasks and focus on your core business activities.

Integrating SSPM with Vendr’s platform

Vendr provides a comprehensive approach to SaaS procurement, offering insights and tools that help organizations maintain a secure and compliant SaaS environment. 

‍Through Vendr’s platform, you can track your SaaS investments, optimize spend, and ensure SSPM strategies effectively align with business objectives. This integration not only reduces costs but also strengthens your overall security posture.

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