Why SSCP? SaaS Security Control Plane for SaaS Security

Why SSCP is Essential for SaaS Security

Benefits of SaaS Security Control Plane for SaaS Security

For CISOs, security managers, and similar executives, cloud security is a top priority, and the SaaS security control plane (SSCP) is a vital component of this process. While IT teams often recognize the importance of securing infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), many may neglect to consider software-as-a-service (SaaS). However, without factoring in SaaS, your cloud security strategy will suffer. Grip offers the innovative SSCP, which enterprises can integrate into their IaaS security programs to strengthen overall cloud security. 

What Is a SaaS Security Control Plane?

Grip developed the SSCP to respond to the demands of modern security. This platform enables businesses to detect threats within the SaaS framework, prioritizing the applications that matter most or contain features that pose a significant risk. It encompasses core-IT and business-led SaaS and arranges security controls for employees, processes, and other security technologies like identity and access management (IAM) and cloud access security brokers (CASBs). 

The Importance of Using an SSCP for SaaS Security

From shadow SaaS to duplicate credentials and compromised identities, there are many SaaS security risks that enterprises need to address. One of the primary functions of an SSCP is delivering broader visibility of SaaS resources and more effective access control. It also assesses SaaS applications and systems to pinpoint vulnerabilities to security. Some other tasks it performs include: 

• Classifying SaaS and understanding how employees use it 
• Facilitating automated offboarding  
• Providing relevant insights into SaaS security 
• Overseeing all SaaS resources z

The Benefits of SSCP

Given the complex nature of SaaS, businesses need a multifaceted solution to security. Numerous tools are available for accomplishing this task, but enterprises may find their security program insufficient without an SSCP. Consider some of the advantages that come with incorporating this method into SaaS security: 

• Discovers shadow SaaS: Gives your business more insight into shadow SaaS and its various authentication methods, even those SaaS services used 10 years ago 
• Augments credential security: Permits companies to devise and enforce a unified credential policy 
• Closes single sign-on (SSO) gaps: Tracks the authentication methods users follow for different SaaS, making it easier to catch discrepancies with SSO 
• Manages SaaS affected by offboarding: Restricts access to abandoned or unsanctioned SaaS that lingers when employees leave 
• Serves as the ideal CASB alternative: Delivers identity-based SaaS security without some of the limitations of CASB 

Cloud Service Layers and Cloud Security Controls

You may notice a trend with cloud security across multiple businesses and industries. Cloud services are often divided into three layers — SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS (platform-as-a-service). IaaS is the bottommost layer and features a distinct set of security controls, such as: 

• Cloud security posture management (CSPM): This automated strategy provides risk management services in cloud environments. 
• Cloud-native application protection platform (CNAPP): Following an integrated approach, CNAPP streamlines essential cloud security tasks, like posture management and configuration.
• Cloud infrastructure entitlement management (CIEM): CIEM evaluates entitlements on user accounts to aid in enforcing the principle of least privilege. 
• Cloud workload protection platform (CWPP): This technique provides protection requirements for applications, typically when businesses move resources from on-premise locations to the cloud. 

SaaS is the top layer and is often the most challenging aspect of cloud security. Between countless connections and various activities, SaaS comprises much more of a company’s digital footprint than IaaS and PaaS. Additionally, most technologies companies use to secure other cloud services, like IaaS, fall under SaaS. 

While the above controls are resourceful for IaaS security, businesses need an SSCP for SaaS security. Since SSCPs account for wide-ranging SaaS, including unsanctioned, extinct, and shadow IT, it better equips you to control SaaS usage and promote security. 

Cloud Security Is SaaS Security

Whether you are a CISO, information security manager, security architect, or security analyst, you may consider how an SSCP will impact SaaS security at your enterprise. If you are like many businesses, you are likely already utilizing security controls to respond to challenges on the IaaS level, but these tools are not designed to handle many issues that dwell on the SaaS layer. 

When integrated as part of a larger cloud security program that involves IaaS and SaaS security, an SSCP can provide your business the peace of mind needed to navigate the complexities of cloud services and SaaS sprawl. 

Trust Grip for Innovative SaaS Security Solutions 

At Grip, we recognize the challenges of SaaS security demand ground-breaking solutions, not incremental change. We invented a fundamentally unique SaaS security control plane that helps companies realize a more secure business-led IT strategy. 

In addition to offering a faster time to install than competitors, we also require fewer personnel and resources to access our services. Enterprises may also save money on SSO by choosing our SSCP. Request a demo today to experience the impact SSCP has on SaaS security. 

Watch on-demand > SaaS Security Control Plane: Real or Hype?

SaaS Security Resource > A Guide to SaaS Security

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