Introducing G2’s SaaS Security Posture Management Category

G2 recently launched its new SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) Software category, which falls under the Cloud Security Software parent category. This category aims to represent software products that help businesses monitor and remediate security risks in software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications.

SSPM: a new generation of automated security tools

SaaS applications are widely adopted by organizations more than ever before. With more companies embracing the convenience of hybrid work, it’s nearly impossible to innovate without the support of SaaS applications.

However, security professionals find SaaS applications to be a big challenge. Since these applications are hosted remotely, beyond an organization’s control, the risks of unauthorized access to sensitive user data are quite high. Additionally, these applications are accessed over the internet, making protecting the data they store even more difficult.

Enter SSPM software.

SSPM solutions are a holistic approach to SaaS security. They are also reflective of the general trend of cybersecurity becoming more proactive in nature. The illustration below highlights the key functionalities of SSPM software.

Source: Netskope

SSPM tools eliminate security gaps in SaaS applications

SSPM tools continuously analyze the configuration, compliance, and user permission settings of SaaS apps to detect security risks. The following are some of the key benefits of using SSPM software:

• Enhanced security: SSPM software provides comprehensive visibility into user activity and data sharing within SaaS applications, which enables organizations to identify potential security threats and take corrective action to mitigate them. SSPM tools also allow for the enforcement of security policies within the SaaS environment, which can help to prevent security breaches.
• Improved compliance: Many SSPM solutions include compliance management features that enable organizations to monitor and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations such as HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS. This can reduce the risk of non-compliance penalties and improve overall security posture.
• Streamlined management: SSPM software simplifies security management within SaaS environments by providing a centralized view of all SaaS applications. This enables administrators to monitor and manage security policies across all applications from a single dashboard.
• Cost savings: SSPM software is often provided as a subscription-based service, which makes it a cost-effective option for organizations of all sizes. This eliminates the need for expensive hardware and software installations and reduces the need for dedicated IT resources.

How SSPM differs from cloud security posture management (CSPM)

SaaS security posture management (SSPM) and cloud security posture management (CSPM) are both related to managing security in cloud environments, but they have some key differences.

SSPM focuses on managing security in SaaS applications. SSPM solutions provide visibility and control over user access, data sharing, and other security-related activities within SaaS applications. This can include monitoring user activity, detecting anomalies and potential security threats, and enforcing security policies within the SaaS environment.

CSPM, on the other hand, is a broader approach to managing security in cloud environments. CSPM solutions provide visibility and control over security configurations across multiple cloud environments, including infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and cloud platform as a service (PaaS). CSPM solutions can help organizations ensure that their cloud environments are configured securely, compliant with regulatory requirements, and protected against potential security threats.

While SSPM focuses specifically on securing SaaS applications, CSPM is a more comprehensive approach covering security across multiple cloud environments. Another line of closely associated products is cloud access security broker (CASB) software that serves as a gateway through which companies can secure connections between employees and cloud service providers.

What’s next for SSPM software

G2’s SSPM solutions category currently has 12 products listed in it. With the SaaS adoption rate continuously increasing, we expect substantial growth in the number of products and associated reviews added to this category.

SSPM products are part of a bigger picture that paints the evolution of cybersecurity tools. With access to software products becoming easier than ever, security professionals must expand their inventory of security tools, starting with SSPM software.

More importantly, SSPM tools indirectly assist an organization’s ability to innovate. Without having to build in-house tools or install on-premises solutions, SSPM solutions allow organizations to securely utilize and embrace what the SaaS industry has to offer.

Edited by Jigmee Bhutia