Cloud-connected SaaS tools such as Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 have transformed the modern workplace, providing companies with the flexibility of always-online systems. And while such systems are robust, they’re not foolproof. Just as on-premise machines can be vectors for cyberattacks or suffer system crashes, information held on SaaS tools can also be corrupted, lost, or stolen.
With this in mind, here’s what you need to know about protecting your organization when it comes to SaaS platforms.
Understanding the Shared Responsibility Model
Perhaps the most important thing to remember when using SaaS tools is that many providers operate on the Shared Responsibility Model (SRM). As the name suggests, SRM puts an onus on both the software provider and the end-user to maintain good security and robust data handling practices.
An example of SRM in action would be Google scanning a file for known vulnerabilities as it is uploaded to a company’s Google Drive folder by a Workplace user. When that file is later downloaded by another user, Google may check it again for malicious code, but it is also the responsibility of a company to run its own security examination, making sure the file is safe to run on its network.
Likewise, a company is responsible for how Microsoft 365 interfaces with other tools it uses. Incompatibility issues that could threaten the integrity of key files or programs should therefore be reported back to the SaaS provider so that those issues may be addressed.
While SRM is a good practice in the world of SaaS tools, errors will inevitably occur. According to a survey by the Cloud Security Alliance, 43% of organizations have experienced at least one security incident or malfunction linked to SaaS misconfiguration.
Ransomware attacks are on the rise
Even in the most rigorously maintained SaaS environments, security lapses happen. It only takes one employee to mistakenly click a link from a spoofed email address, and before they realize it, ransomware is spreading like wildfire throughout the company, locking up vital data.
Profit-driven malicious attacks are a big business for the bad guys. As reported by InfoSecurity, ransomware attacks are on track to cost global businesses more than $30 billion in 2022, with some expecting that figure to climb as high as $265 billion by 2031. With more and more SaaS platforms making their way into organizations, the surface area for ransomware attacks is growing exponentially.
Accidental file deletion is a frequent problem
Theft is not the only threat to information hosted on SaaS platforms; user error is also a major risk. Both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 have data retention settings, allowing administrators a level of control over the time that files are held on cloud-based servers. But should those rules be misaligned, then important data can be scrubbed.
A 2016 questionnaire of over 1,000 IT professionals in the U.S. and the U.K. found inadvertent deletion was the principal cause of data loss on SaaS networks. The study – carried out by EMC’s Spanning – also found many companies mistakenly believed SaaS providers are primarily responsible for recovering data lost by users. Once again, SRM plays a significant role in data management.
Avasek SaaS Protection provides a 1-click backup solution
The most important aspect of any data recovery planning is to make sure you have adequately backed up your information before anything bad can happen. This is why Avasek has partnered with widely-trusted data backup operator Datto to provide institutions with a backup and recovery solution that works inside of Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.
For a low cost per license, Avasek’s SaaS Protection automatically backs up files three times a day, ensuring you always have a fresh copy of your important data. Avasek’s flexible data retention rules allow you to decide what is kept and for how long. And should the worst happen, our 1-click recovery solution ensures you can get information back, all in a non-destructive manner.
So whether it’s emails to your customers, or spreadsheets from your clients, Avasek’s SaaS Protection is always backing up your information, making sure it’s only a click away should the worst happen.