Choosing the right SaaS vendor seems easy, right? Pick the one with the products that meet your needs for affordability, accessibility, scalability, and vendor-maintained infrastructure.
But understand that SaaS data encryption capabilities may override all of that – the benefits of affordability, access, scalability, and vendor infrastructure isn’t enough if your data isn’t safe. Gain a stronger understanding of the specific vulnerabilities of SaaS solutions and why SaaS data encryption is the best way to overcome threats to your data.
Most folks understand the nature of SaaS solutions means data is constantly in motion during usage of the application. Users make changes to files, upload or download files, etc. And that data is transferred to and from SaaS servers and databases to user devices.
It’s one of the biggest benefits of using SaaS solutions because your users can access files from anywhere, harnessing efficiencies and cost savings while allowing your team to provide added value to your clients.
But like a stagecoach in the Old West, that data is vulnerable to hackers from the moment it leaves one location and arrives at another. Access points of vulnerability included uploading, downloading and syncing files over mobile and Wi-Fi networks, peer-to-peer file sharing, and LAN file transfers.
Even once data is “parked”, it could still be accessed by determined hackers. And the nature of SaaS solutions means that data could be in several places at once, from servers to client devices. While we typically think our computers are secure, SaaS servers and databases, user’s USB drives, local drives, and personal electronic devices like smartphones and laptops are not impervious to attack.
Hackers know there’s a gold mine of data sitting around, and with enough time and resources, they’re determined to get it. If anything, unauthorized access to at-rest files is easier because those files aren’t moving targets.
Choosing SaaS services with appropriate data encryption standards is the best way to make sure your data is safe, whether it’s in transit or at rest. While 128- and 192-bit encryption is common, services that provide 256-bit encryption are the most robust and provide the greatest protection. Encryption that meets the standards of NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology, a U.S. Department of Commerce agency) is also imperative. Regular security and compliance audits are also typically part of a reliable SaaS data encryption strategy.
SaaS data encryption is so important because it ensures that data – in transit or at rest – is secured from prying eyes and others who’d hijack your files. Data is not only protected but backed up to ensure maximum security against unauthorized access and theft.
So while affordability, accessibility, scalability, and vendor-hosted infrastructure make SaaS a great solution for many business needs, don’t forget to ask about SaaS data encryption capabilities, too. It’s the best way to balance your company’s needs by having easily accessible files that but still protect them from hacking or unauthorized use.