A recent study found that U.S. technology leaders are increasingly concerned about cyberthreats targeting Software-as-a-Service applications, as more SaaS apps are being used in enterprises. Despite efforts to prioritize data privacy and security, the reliance on SaaS and cloud offerings poses risks, according to The SaaS Disruption Report: Security & Data by Onymos and Enterprise Strategy Group.
Shiva Nathan, CEO of Onymos, highlighted the risk of granting data access to third-party SaaS providers when companies purchase SaaS systems for application development. With the average enterprise now using over 130 SaaS apps, up from 80 in 2020, there are more opportunities for cyberattacks and data leakage. This is especially concerning as software supply chain attacks are on the rise, particularly in the healthcare industry.
The survey also revealed the importance of data retention for custom-built internal applications, with 91% of respondents emphasizing its critical nature. Tech leaders are prioritizing security and data privacy, but the tension between speed-to-production and data ownership is increasing within organizations.
Recommendations in the report include adopting “no-data” architecture principles to prioritize data privacy and security, allowing enterprises to retain control over their data and reduce risk. It also recommends conducting rigorous third-party security audits and penetration tests regularly to mitigate potential data access and sharing issues.
