Modern companies rely on SaaS applications, like Salesforce and Microsoft 365, for IT resources to support their operations. In fact, many businesses are built entirely around these SaaS applications.
While the core SaaS apps for your business are secure and backed by companies that make sure they stay secure, third-party apps and add-ons pose a significant risk to the core SaaS apps that you use. If your company relies on SaaS apps, then here is what you should know about how third-party apps make your core SaaS apps vulnerable.
What is a Core SaaS App?
A core SaaS app is any app that you use as the basis for your IT infrastructure. For many companies, Salesforce and Microsoft 365 are good examples of this. Companies build their processes around these apps and would struggle to function without them. Other systems are added to these core apps to add functionality and complete specific processes so that everything functions around your most important SaaS apps.
What Are Third-Party Apps and Add-ons?
When you add another program to your core systems, you are using a third-party app or add-on. Add-ons are made by the company that makes your core software, while third-party apps are made by other companies. Both integrate with your main SaaS app to add functionality.
Salesforce has a very large number of add-ons and third-party options, such as DocuSign and Formstack.
DocuSign lets users create signable documents that their customers can sign securely online. Formstack lets Salesforce create groups of documents out of its customer database, automating document creation and reducing the time it takes to service clients.
Companies choose third-party apps options like these because it lets them do more with the same core systems. This helps lower costs and streamline processes so that everyone can work in a single system. It is a major advantage for companies, but it does come with risks.
How Are Cybersecurity Threats Created?
Cybersecurity threats are created in a number of ways, both from the user side and from the cybercriminal side. The two most common causes of threats are security flaws and excessive permissions.
Security Flaws
In most cases, cybercriminals cannot just hack into a system from the outside. They have to exploit problems in a company’s security systems.
Despite efforts to create programs that can fight any potential threat, there are always areas where they can be overcome. This is often due to oversight where the development company changes something in the development process that opens a hole in security, and they did not find the problem during testing.
Hackers find and exploit these vulnerable areas to gain access to computer systems.
Excessive Permissions
Another common problem is excessive permissions. When you integrate a third-party app into your core systems, that core system has to give the app permission to do certain things.
For example, it needs permission to access the database where customer information is stored. Without that permission, it will be denied access entirely.
The problem begins when these apps receive too many permissions, allowing them to do things that they should not be able to or do not need to do. This means that hackers can exploit those permissions to get the system to do things that violate its safety systems.
Why Your Core Apps Are Vulnerable
With these two types of threats in mind, think about what happens when you connect apps together. Your third-party apps can create vulnerabilities for your core systems, either through their permissions or errors in their security systems.
Once a hacker is able to gain access to a third-party app, your core system’s security won’t try to stop them since the app already has access permissions.
In short, if your third-party apps are vulnerable, your core systems are also vulnerable.
How Can You Fix These Vulnerabilities?
The best way to fix these vulnerabilities is to pay attention to the security of your third-party apps and add-ons. Make sure that they are being made by reputable companies that you can trust to do a good job. Also, monitor conversations about them online to see if anyone else is having issues with security.
Make sure you are limiting permissions to only what apps need to do their specific function if you have the option to control permissions. That way, there is a very limited chance of those permissions being exploited.
Get Help From a Software Expert
Alternatively, you can get help from a software expert in setting up your business’s systems for the best security possible. At KitelyTech, we work with companies to create and manage business software that specifically fits their needs, including security systems. Call us at (800) 274-2908 for help with your SaaS security.
