Updated April 12, 2025
No matter the size or industry, every company uses software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms. The number of applications an organization uses has grown significantly. Investment in these resources continues to increase as they offer businesses the tools to improve productivity, efficiency, and revenue. SaaS systems, however, come with a risk. As a result, SaaS cybersecurity is a priority for those that develop and host them and those that use them.
SaaS developers and users have much to manage when it comes to protecting their data and network. SaaS platforms are an attractive target for many cybercriminals. These applications often have valuable data that any hacker would like to seize and exploit. SaaS cybersecurity is more complex than ever, with new and existing threats impacting strategies and operations.
Since SaaS has unique cybersecurity needs, it’s critical to understand the environment’s state.
This article’ll break down the SaaS Security Survey Report, highlighting challenges and opportunities.
Key Points on the State of SaaS Cybersecurity
The SaaS Security Survey, developed by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), involves responses from those in the IT and security professional fields. Those responding came from organizations of various sizes and locations. The goal of the report was to understand:
- The applications SaaS organizations use
- Security policies and processes
- Awareness and experience with SaaS threats
- Current and future solutions for cybersecurity
Here are some interesting findings from the survey and what they say about the state of SaaS cybersecurity:
SaaS Security Incidents Are On The Rise
The survey revealed that 55% of organizations experienced an incident in the past two years. This was a 12% increase from the previous year. The most prevalent types of attacks were:
- Data leakage
- Malicious apps
- Data breaches
- Ransomware
- Corporate espionage
- Insider attacks
Operating in the SaaS world, there’s no way to eliminate all threats. The fact that they are increasing isn’t much of a surprise. Overall, the uptick in cyberattacks keeps growing for all verticals. Just because a company is one that fits in the technology space doesn’t mean there aren’t vulnerabilities present and later exploited.
The volume of attacks isn’t likely to slow, and deploying these schemes with hackers for hire is getting easier. Cybercrime-as-a-service is now an option for deploying malware and ransomware. These individuals and groups are relentless in their pursuit of breaching a company’s digital ecosystem. In fact, 88% of professional hackers can infiltrate an organization within 12 hours. So, what can a SaaS company do to limit this exposure and be proactive regarding hacking attempts?
Having a solid and executed cybersecurity strategy is the first step. Developing or updating yours is critical to understanding risk and mitigating it. You can learn more precisely if your practices and policies are performing as they should with a penetration test.
Pen testing allows ethical hackers or testers to attempt to breach and exploit weaknesses. In this case, Black Box Penetration Testing would be the best place to begin. A Black Box Pen Test focuses on external penetration of your internet-facing systems. This simulated attack echoes how a hacker would attempt to penetrate your organization. This type of pen test evaluates web servers, VPN connectors, firewalls, routers, embedded systems, and proxy, DNS, email, and custom application servers.
This type of pen testing can be advantageous in threat protection because experts take the same steps a hacker would. Hopefully, they will do it first and report all the current concerns to you. The key is to fix these vulnerabilities before cybercriminals take advantage of them.
Strategies and Methodologies for SaaS Security Often Fall Short
The survey examined the correlation between a lack of implemented security measures and attacks. Findings included that 58% of organizations said their current security solutions only cover about half of their SaaS applications. Most in the space use Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) and manual audits for security. Unfortunately, these methods are insufficient.
Does this sound familiar? Are you concerned that the breadth of security policies lacks full coverage of your network? So, what might be missing? The best way to find gaps and close them is with a vulnerability assessment.
It’s a testing process that complements pen testing. The goal is to evaluate the assets on your network to identify missing patches or misconfigurations. You should consider a network-based and application-based risk assessment. The former investigates applications and machines to identify any security gaps in networks or communications systems. It would analyze devices for compromised passwords and review a system’s ability to defend against common attacks.
The application-based test occurs at the application layer to understand how secure the application is. This would be valuable for your actual SaaS product.
SaaS Security Leadership Is Shifting
Most SaaS companies, even small ones, have a role for security leadership, sometimes a chief information security officer (CISO). This position has been heavily evolving. CISOs were once solely a technical job. Now, the survey noted they are governors, not controllers. The group of stakeholders related to SaaS cybersecurity is growing as well. Do more people in the mix mean security prowess increases?
It certainly provides the visibility required to be cyber-literate and resilient. However, it can also create challenges, with people having different priorities and mindsets. The way forward is to cultivate a collaborative and communicative culture. More cooperation and involvement are needed in strategies, practices, and policy discussions. The dialogue needs to be ongoing as your organization attempts to be agile enough to adapt.
SaaS Cybersecurity Priorities
An increase in SaaS applications available to the market and their adoption of them is creating a dynamic ecosystem. The processes your company uses to manage this must evolve. The report spotlighted several priorities that need immediate attention:
- Policies and procedures: First, you need to have them. Then, you need to implement them. Finally, you have to measure their effectiveness, which you can do with risk assessments and pen testing.
- Misconfiguration management: A misconfiguration could be the weakness a hacker finds to exploit. Thus, you need to understand the accuracy and completeness of configurations through a vulnerability test and then make adjustments.
- Identity and access governance: Who has access to what? Identity and access governance hinges on knowing the answer and having control over users. Policies like zero trust architecture is an option. Organizations must also stay current on removing old users, as these accounts could be easier to hack when unattended.
- Device monitoring: You’ll need to ensure your accounting for all devices on the network and check for vulnerabilities and updates. Likely the number of devices attached to your network increased. Thus, it’s something you need to do regularly.
- Threat detection and response: Being proactive is critical for cybersecurity. There are numerous automated tools for monitoring and threat identification. They can be useful in your day-to-day operations. Pen testing with a simulated attack and response also helps you test your plan. The findings would help you address any gaps.
These findings illustrate the challenges and ways forward for SaaS cybersecurity. We’ve got some additional takeaways next.
Final Takeaways Regarding SaaS Cybersecurity
Any business needs to worry about SaaS cybersecurity. Be sure these things are in your strategy and plans:
- Enhanced authentication: At a minimum, you should have multifactor authentication (MFA). Zero trust is also an option. Review authentication methods regularly to ensure they are adding a layer of protection.
- Data encryption: All data within your applications should involve encryption, whether it’s a rest or in transit. Smart and robust encryption is a critical posture to have to protect against ransomware attacks.
- Penetration testing: Work with an experienced team of testers to carry out pen tests. There are many different types of pen tests. The classifications include the level of access provided and what the ethical hackers are testing. You may need multiple steps to understand your risk and address gaps. After all, you can’t fix what you don’t know.
- Vulnerability assessments: Along with pen tests, these assessments should be something that regularly occurs. Using the same firm to conduct these will give you a complete picture of where weaknesses lie and how to resolve them.
- Phishing exercises: Phishing is the most common way that hackers try to gain access. They seek to trick users and are doing so in much more sophisticated ways these days. In addition to pen tests and assessments, you can ask your cybersecurity partner to deploy these exercises and provide you with insights on the results that can strengthen your cyber defenses.
Improve Your SaaS Cybersecurity with Expert Support
Creating a safe SaaS cybersecurity environment is a daily struggle you can’t do alone. It would be impossible for most companies to manage this all internally. Many organizations turn to our experts for support with pen tests, vulnerability assessments, and phishing exercises.
If you want more confidence and clarity in your security posture, Blue Goat Cyber is here to help. Our team combines industry-leading tools with real-world expertise to uncover hidden risks before attackers do. Whether you’re preparing for regulatory audits, building secure-by-design SaaS platforms, or simply trying to keep up with the evolving threat landscape, we provide the hands-on support and guidance you need.
Cybersecurity isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it task—it’s a continuous commitment. Partner with Blue Goat to make that journey smarter, stronger, and safer.
Ready to level up your SaaS security? Contact us today for a free consultation.
SaaS Cybersecurity and Penetration Testing FAQs
Please schedule a 30-minute Discovery Session with us so we can best understand your objectives.
Penetration testing for SaaS companies, also known as SaaS penetration testing, is a critical practice that offers several benefits. It helps SaaS providers meet compliance requirements, enhance security measures, support product iteration, and ensure the continuous uptime of their applications. Safeguarding the actual SaaS application and its endpoints is a top priority for these providers, as the profitability and longevity of their business rely on the reliability, security, and stability of their offerings.
SaaS solutions face numerous security concerns, and ensuring the protection of their applications and data is paramount. Common security issues in the SaaS industry often align with the OWASP Top Ten, including broken access control, injection attacks, insecure design, and software and data integrity failures. While some of these issues can be identified through code review, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the potential vulnerabilities. This is where penetration testing comes into play, providing a more thorough evaluation and enabling effective mitigation strategies.
Penetration testing involves a detailed assessment of all components of a SaaS business, going beyond code review to identify hidden security vulnerabilities that may not be immediately apparent. By conducting penetration tests, SaaS owners can gain valuable insights into the current security posture of their products, bridge existing security gaps, and identify areas for improvement. This proactive approach empowers SaaS companies to address security concerns before they become exploited by malicious actors.
SOC 2 Type I and Type II reports provide valuable insights into an organization's information security controls and its commitment to cybersecurity. Here are the key differences between the two:
1. Scope of Examination:
- SOC 2 Type I: This report focuses on an organization's information security controls at a specific point in time. It aims to determine if these controls are suitable and implemented effectively to meet the desired objectives.
- SOC 2 Type II: In contrast, this report evaluates an organization's security controls over a period of time, typically ranging from 3 to 12 months. It aims to assess the operational effectiveness of the controls and whether they consistently meet the requirements of the AICPA's Trust Services Criteria.
2. Timeframe:
- SOC 2 Type I: The examination is conducted, and the resulting report covers a single point in time, providing a snapshot of the organization's control environment at that moment.
- SOC 2 Type II: The examination assesses the effectiveness of the controls over a defined period, usually for multiple months. This longer timeframe allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of the controls and their sustainability.
3. Objectives:
- SOC 2 Type I: The primary objective of this report is to identify and assess the suitability of the organization's information security controls, ensuring they are in place and functioning as intended.
- SOC 2 Type II: In addition to assessing the controls and their suitability, this report also focuses on verifying the operational effectiveness of the controls. It looks at whether the controls consistently meet the requirements specified by the AICPA's Trust Services Criteria.
4. Customer Assessment:
- SOC 2 Type I: This report is valuable for customers seeking to understand an organization's information security controls at a specific point in time. It provides insights into the control environment but does not offer long-term performance or sustainability indicators.
- SOC 2 Type II: Customers interested in assessing an organization's long-term commitment to information security and cybersecurity would find this report more valuable. It comprehensively evaluates the controls over an extended period, demonstrating their ongoing effectiveness and the organization's commitment to maintaining a secure environment.
While SOC 2 Type I provides a snapshot of an organization's controls at a specific time, SOC 2 Type II offers a more thorough assessment of the controls' operational effectiveness over an extended period. Both reports have distinct values and purposes, depending on the customers' needs and requirements.
We follow a seven phase methodology designed to maximize our efficiency, minimize risk, and provide complete and accurate results. The overarching seven phases of the methodology are:
- Planning and Preparation
- Reconnaissance / Discovery
- Vulnerability Enumeration / Analysis
- Initial Exploitation
- Expanding Foothold / Deeper Penetration
- Cleanup
- Report Generation
SaaS Penetration Testing by Blue Goat Cyber involves a comprehensive assessment of the SaaS application to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cyber attackers. This testing is critical for ensuring the security of both the application and the data it handles, especially considering the sensitivity of client data typically managed by SaaS platforms.
The process includes various types of penetration tests such as network, web application, API, and internal testing, among others. Each of these tests is designed to simulate real-world cyber attacks and uncover potential security weaknesses. The aim is not only to identify vulnerabilities but also to understand their impact and the potential ways they could be exploited.
After the completion of the testing, Blue Goat Cyber provides a detailed report with findings and recommendations. This report includes prioritized, actionable steps that the SaaS provider can take to mitigate identified risks. The insights gained from this testing enable SaaS companies to strengthen their security posture, ensuring the protection of their platforms and maintaining the trust of their users.
By offering SaaS Penetration Testing, Blue Goat Cyber demonstrates its commitment to catering to the specific needs of diverse industries, ensuring that their cybersecurity solutions are aligned with the unique challenges and requirements of each sector they serve.
SaaS penetration testing consists of several stages to assess a SaaS solution's security thoroughly. These stages are as follows:
1. Pre-engagement & Scoping: This initial stage involves discussing the objectives, compliance requirements, and overall scope of the SaaS penetration test. It is an opportunity for the SaaS owner to communicate their expectations and for the security engineer to understand the depth and breadth of the testing. The scope usually covers multiple aspects, such as the SaaS application itself, user roles, cloud infrastructure, APIs, integrations, email services, and payment gateways.
2. Vulnerability Assessment: Once the scoping stage is complete, the actual testing begins with a vulnerability assessment. This phase encompasses automated scanning of the entire SaaS infrastructure to identify potential security vulnerabilities. The results of this assessment serve as a foundation for the subsequent testing stages.
3. Exploitation: In this detailed step, the vulnerabilities discovered in the previous stage are further examined to determine their potential impact on the SaaS system. Exploitation involves simulating real-world attacks to assess vulnerabilities thoroughly. As this stage is more in-depth, it goes beyond the scope of a brief explanation.
4. Reporting & Collaboration: Following the exploitation stage, the security engineer compiles a comprehensive report that documents the vulnerabilities found and their potential impact and provides recommendations for remediation. This report is then shared with the SaaS owner for review and collaboration. Collaborative discussions may involve determining the best approach to address the vulnerabilities, clarifying any findings, and planning the next steps.
5. Remediation & Certification: Based on the recommendations provided in the report, the SaaS owner undertakes the necessary actions to fix the identified vulnerabilities. Once the remediation process is complete, the security engineer may conduct a retest to ensure the vulnerabilities have been patched. Upon successful remediation, the SaaS platform can be certified as secure and compliant, assuring both the owner and its users.
By following these five stages, SaaS penetration testing offers a comprehensive approach to identify and address security vulnerabilities in a SaaS solution. Each stage plays a crucial role in improving the overall security posture of the SaaS platform.
Continual two-way collaboration is essential in SaaS penetration testing due to the complex nature of the arrangement. The testing process and subsequent remediation efforts can be hindered without effective communication. Prompt replies to queries and efficient collaboration are crucial when collaborating over email or support platforms.
However, a more streamlined approach is utilizing vulnerability management dashboards for collaboration. This method simplifies the overall process and significantly reduces the time required for remediation by engaging all relevant stakeholders. By fostering a collaborative environment, potential vulnerabilities can be identified and addressed promptly, ensuring the security and performance of the SaaS solution.
After discovering vulnerabilities in SaaS during penetration testing, the subsequent step involves documenting these identified weaknesses. The documentation should include comprehensive information on the impact of each vulnerability, the steps to reproduce them, and the recommended steps to mitigate and fix the respective vulnerabilities. This ensures that the testing process becomes more structured and organized, enabling the development team to effectively address and rectify the identified security issues.
Penetration testing, or pen tests, offers SaaS companies numerous advantages, including enhanced product reliability and increased uptime. The impact of unexpected downtime can be severe for SaaS organizations, leading to revenue loss and potential risks to user safety.
In the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, SaaS environments face constant risks from hackers seeking to exploit vulnerabilities and disrupt operations through ransomware attacks. This growing concern necessitates proactive measures to safeguard the integrity of the software. Pen tests play a crucial role as they simulate real-world attacks, allowing internal security teams to respond as if facing an actual threat. By conducting double-blind tests, these assessments evaluate the effectiveness of the incident response plan, further bolstering the security posture of the SaaS architecture and ensuring uninterrupted uptime.
However, it is equally important to consider the steps taken after the client has addressed the reported vulnerabilities. This stage is known as Remediation & Certification in the realm of SaaS penetration testing. Once the client has fixed the identified vulnerabilities, the security team proceeds to validate the effectiveness of the implemented fixes. By conducting comprehensive testing, they ensure the vulnerabilities have been successfully remediated and the SaaS environment is now secure.
Upon completing the testing phase, the security team issues a certification to the SaaS company, serving as tangible proof that the necessary actions have been taken to address the vulnerabilities and meet the required security standards. This certification instills confidence in the SaaS company's clients and demonstrates a commitment to maintaining a robust and secure software ecosystem.
Penetration testing, or pen testing, is vital in guiding the development work of a software-as-a-service (SaaS) application. The findings discovered by pen testers can be highly valuable for the development team, providing crucial insights that help prioritize their efforts. By assigning weight to the vulnerabilities uncovered during pen testing, developers better understand which issues require immediate attention.
However, during the remediation phase, the true impact of pen testing becomes evident. Remediation, in the context of SaaS penetration testing, refers to the critical step of addressing and fixing the vulnerabilities identified by the testers. Armed with the detailed steps to fix shared by the testers, the client takes proactive measures to rectify these security gaps.
This remediation process is crucial as it enables the client to strengthen the security posture of their SaaS application. By diligently following the prescribed steps, the client can ensure that the reported vulnerabilities are effectively resolved. This not only mitigates potential risks but also enhances the overall performance and reliability of the application.
Moreover, through the remediation process, the development team gains deeper visibility into the maturity and recurring issues present in the application. Remediation is a valuable source of information, providing clues that can help the team identify weak controls and areas requiring further attention. These insights empower the team to make informed decisions and implement changes to boost the product's security and performance.
Blue Goat Cyber has a proven track record of providing exceptional assistance to numerous SaaS businesses in enhancing the security of their infrastructures. Our comprehensive expertise has guided countless SaaS businesses in identifying and resolving critical vulnerabilities within their SaaS systems. By leveraging our services, these businesses have significantly improved their security measures. Our tailored solutions and proactive approach ensure that SaaS companies can effectively fortify their platforms and protect sensitive data, ultimately bolstering the overall security of their operations.
The estimated cost of a SOC 2 penetration test can vary depending on the scope and complexity of the assessment. On average, a reputable and accredited cybersecurity firm may charge between $7,000 and $25,000 for such tests. Remember that this price range is for a typical SOC 2 pentest and may differ for more extensive security audits or smaller scopes. It is important to exercise caution when considering providers with significantly lower prices, as their assessments might rely heavily on automated scanners or involve unqualified pen testers. While such low-cost services might meet the requirements of an auditor, they can potentially result in a false sense of security and leave systems vulnerable due to limited evaluations.
The average duration of a SOC 2 penetration test can vary depending on the project's scope. Typically, it ranges from 5 to 25 person days. For cybersecurity assessments of a single website or web application, the duration maybe just a few days. However, it might take several weeks to complete the pentest for extensive cloud infrastructures or complex SaaS platforms. Most penetration tests for SaaS companies are generally finished within one to two weeks, but larger scopes can extend the timeframe further.
SOC 2 penetration testing requirements in 2024 are not obligatory for achieving or maintaining SOC 2 compliance. However, while not mandatory, penetration testing is considered valuable for any organization. Auditors may recommend performing pentesting assessments to supplement the audit process and fulfill specific items in the Trust Services Criteria, particularly in relation to monitoring activities.
Although the criteria for SOC 2 includes a mention of penetration testing, it does not mandate its usage as the sole method for evaluation. Auditors may accept alternative evidence, such as an organization's current ISO 27001 certificate or even evidence from a customer's public bug bounty program, to fulfill the requirements. Interpretation plays a role in determining what satisfies the criteria.
Nonetheless, penetration testing remains a crucial step in meeting SOC 2 requirements. By conducting penetration tests, an organization can identify potential risks and vulnerabilities it may be exposed to and consequently enhance its resilience against cyber attacks.
Penetration testing, often called 'pen testing' or 'ethical hacking,' is crucial in SOC 2 compliance. Its purpose is to simulate cyberattacks on an organization's systems, networks, and applications, to uncover vulnerabilities and weaknesses that malicious actors could exploit. Through this process, potential security risks can be identified and addressed proactively.
SOC 2 requirements related to penetration testing fall under the Trust Services Criteria, particularly the Security and Availability criteria. The security criterion focuses on data protection, access controls, and overall system security. By conducting penetration testing, organizations can ensure that their security controls safeguard sensitive data.
Moreover, it is recommended to supplement manual penetration testing efforts with automated vulnerability scanning tools. These tools can quickly identify common vulnerabilities, further enhancing the effectiveness of the overall testing process.
Penetration testing serves as a proactive measure to identify vulnerabilities, while vulnerability scanning indicates an organization's security posture.
By combining both activities, organizations can assess the effectiveness of their security controls, identify improvement areas, and fortify their cybersecurity efforts against emerging threats such as ransomware and data breaches. Therefore, penetration testing and vulnerability scanning are crucial components of a comprehensive security program, contributing to the resilience and protection of systems against various cyber threats.
Agile development significantly influences penetration testing for SaaS companies by emphasizing the need for continuous updating and testing of new features. With the rapid release of new features in an agile environment, any untested feature can potentially serve as an open door for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities. This dynamic nature of agile development creates a challenge for traditional penetration testing approaches that might be unable to keep up with the pace of change and adequately address security risks. As a result, integrating security practices into the development process, such as DevSecOps, becomes crucial to effectively mitigate security threats and ensure the resilience of SaaS systems.
Manual testing remains a crucial aspect of security testing due to several reasons. Firstly, the increasing complexity of applications, driven by APIs, requires human expertise to thoroughly examine potential vulnerabilities that automated tools might overlook. Secondly, the speed at which code is now deployed, thanks to DevOps practices, makes it essential to have human testers investigate the application comprehensively to detect critical security threats that automated scanners may not identify. Therefore, while automated tools like vulnerability scanners can be valuable, manual testing by a team of security experts is indispensable for ensuring the robust security of an application.
Blue Goat provides SaaS penetration testing services tailored to the unique compliance and security concerns that SaaS companies encounter in the current landscape. With a team of skilled experts well-versed in the evolving threat scenarios and regulatory requirements, Blue Goat can initiate penetration testing for your SaaS environment promptly, within one business day. Their services are available at a competitive price point, being half the cost of other alternatives in the market. If you are keen to discover more about how their penetration testing solutions can benefit your SaaS business, you can schedule a discovery call with Blue Goat today to explore further.
