BridgeView Marketing’s PR services recently presented an article to Cyber Security Intelligence, highlighting the critical rise in data breaches and the specific vulnerabilities of SAP systems. The article reveals the staggering $4.45 million global average cost of a data breach in 2023 and emphasizes the financial benefits of automated security solutions. It underscores the importance of proactive security measures, particularly for SAP systems that are frequent targets due to their valuable data. The article details common vulnerabilities and the necessity of comprehensive vulnerability management, SIEM, and IAM solutions to safeguard SAP environments. BridgeView Marketing’s PR strategy is vital in bringing such crucial cybersecurity information to the public, enhancing awareness, and promoting robust security practices.

Originally Posted In Cyber Security Intelligence

The global average cost of a data breach in 2023 was a staggering $4.45 million, a 15% increase over three years. However, organizations that use automated security solutions can save an average of $1.76 million compared to those that don’t.

This stark contrast underscores the financial benefits of proactive security measures. Yet, it’s important to remember that no security system is foolproof.

Two factors will always hold true for security breaches:

1.    The harder it is to breach a system, the more likely attackers will give up and move on to easier prey.

2.    An early attack detection prevents further network penetration.

Similar to all other forms of networking, these truths apply to SAP systems.

SAP Vulnerabilities

More specified attacks are happening regarding SAP systems, and SAP ERP application systems are a desired target because they contain personal information such as credit card numbers, payment information, etc. However, SAP systems contain IT-enabled or overlooked vulnerabilities, leaving them open to exploitation:

• Missing critical SAP Security patches.
• Insecure default values for parameters.
• The existence of default accounts with default passwords.
• Insecure Access Control Lists around critical components.
• Insecure connections between SAP systems.
• SAP Secure store with a default encryption key.
• Old and insecure password hashes.

The first step to a robust SAP defense is an offense. This offense involves addressing the above-mentioned vulnerabilities with a comprehensive vulnerability management solution. Third-party SAP vulnerability management solutions are particularly effective in this regard. They help identify, evaluate, and report security issues, reducing a hacker’s movement and mitigating further damage.

This security management process is invaluable in maintaining the integrity of your SAP systems. 

To achieve this level of SAP security assurance, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions are available to identify and deal with potential security threats before they can cause harm. SIEM systems gather security data from network devices, servers, domain controllers, and more. SIEM then applies analytics to that data to detect trends, locate threats, and alert organizations to investigate.

The Best Security Requires A Unified Framework 

SIEM systems help with compliance and addressing cyber threats across SAP environments, buttressing that with Identity and Access Management (IAM), which will further harden the network. IAM is a framework (policies, processes, and technologies) that allows organizations to manage digital identities and control user access to critical information. In addition, it defines and manages user roles and access privileges. Together, AIM and SIEM tools offer a powerful combination to help detect and respond to threats in real-time.

Regular audits and real-time monitoring complement the security provided by SIEM and IAM usage. These routine procedures help with policy adherence and alert personnel when baseline deviations occur. Thus, fluid operation across the different environments provides a reliable safeguard for SAP systems. No systems are 100% insulated from hacker activity, but following these best practices for security SAP will mitigate breaches:

• Install SAP patches monthly with proper planning and testing. The most common SAP patches are kernel patches, snote patches, and support packs. Patches and packs add new functionality or corrections to existing errors.

• Routine system hardening and configuration will help with evolving security threats. This process includes removing unnecessary software, disabling unused services, applying security patches, and configuring settings to enhance protection.

• Segregation of duties reduces risks and prevents fraud by ensuring that one person does not have control over all aspects of a transaction. This policy will minimize the risk of fraud and errors and protect company assets such as data or inventories by appropriately assigning access rights that distribute responsibility for business processes and procedures among several users.

• Establishing a real-time SAP threat response process is not just a good practice, but a necessity in today’s cyber landscape. It ensures immediate action can be taken to mitigate threats. Real-time detection is not just a luxury, but a crucial tool that helps organizations to identify suspicious activity as it happens, thus reducing the time threats can lurk within a network.

Conclusion

Bad actors are becoming more sophisticated and organized daily, and the application of nefarious AI activities only exacerbates the need for more intelligent offensive cybersecurity tools.

You can harden and monitor the system, but when it’s breached, you need immediate alerts and complete visibility to take decisive action to lessen the threat. Without the proper vulnerability management tools, organizations face a porous network of entry points that could be sealed to prevent a catastrophic occurrence. 

Christoph Nagy is CEO of  SecurityBridge