SSPM vs CSPM: Why You Need Both to Secure Your Organization

As SaaS applications become increasingly integral to organizational operations, the need for effective security measures has grown exponentially. Traditional solutions like Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) remain vital for securing cloud infrastructure, but they fall short when it comes to managing the unique risks posed by SaaS environments. This is where SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) emerges as a crucial counterpart. While CSPM and SSPM address different aspects of cloud security, they are both vital components of any comprehensive enterprise security strategy.

What CSPM brings to the table

CSPM solutions are designed to manage the security posture of public cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. They focus on identifying and remediating misconfigurations, monitoring compliance, and ensuring that cloud environments are securely configured.

Key features of CSPM include:

• Continuous monitoring of cloud infrastructure for vulnerabilities
• Identification of misconfigurations, such as open ports, unencrypted data transfers, or improper Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies
• Compliance with frameworks like SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA

For instance, CSPM tools can detect if an Amazon S3 bucket is publicly accessible or if multi-factor authentication (MFA) is not enforced for administrative accounts within IaaS. These types of misconfigurations are common entry points for attackers and underscore the importance of CSPM in maintaining a secure cloud infrastructure.

While CSPM provides essential oversight for infrastructure-level security, its scope is limited to cloud environments. It does not address the growing complexities of SaaS security, leaving critical security gaps. 

The rise of SSPM

SaaS applications like Salesforce, Microsoft 365, and ServiceNow have become the backbone of modern enterprises. However, their flexibility and extensive customization options also introduce vulnerabilities. SSPM solutions are purpose-built to address these challenges, providing continuous monitoring, misconfiguration management, and compliance assurance for SaaS environments.

Key capabilities of SSPM include:

• SaaS discovery: Uncover all SaaS applications in use, including shadow IT and AI-enabled tools.
• Configuration management: Prevents vulnerabilities by ensuring SaaS applications are securely configured
• Identity and access management: Manages user permissions and ensures compliance with security policies
• Threat detection: Continuously monitors for malicious activity and insider threats
• Third-party application oversight: Monitors SaaS-to-SaaS integrations to reduce the risk of unauthorized access

SSPM also tackles challenges like shadow IT—when employees use unauthorized SaaS applications—which can create hidden vulnerabilities by bypassing IT control. By providing centralized visibility into all SaaS tools, SSPM eliminates blind spots. Additionally, SSPM simplifies compliance by automating monitoring across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring adherence to regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and regional data privacy laws.

By automating these processes, SSPM empowers organizations to reduce risks and streamline security operations.

Why SSPM alone isn’t enough

Despite its robust capabilities, SSPM is not a substitute for CSPM. SaaS applications often interact with cloud environments, creating interdependencies that require both SaaS-specific and cloud-specific security measures.

For example:

• Misconfigurations in a cloud database monitored by CSPM could expose data accessed through a SaaS application managed by SSPM.
• Advanced threats often exploit gaps in visibility between cloud and SaaS platforms.

Consider the following case: A retail organization suffered a data breach when overly permissive settings in a SaaS CRM application exposed sensitive customer data. While SSPM detected and flagged the configuration issue, the attackers had also exploited an improperly secured cloud storage bucket—an area typically addressed by CSPM. By using both solutions, the organization was able to remediate the vulnerabilities across its technology stack and implement stronger security protocols, significantly reducing the risk of a repeat incident.

It’s not SSPM vs CSPM, it’s SSPM and CSPM. Integrating SSPM and CSPM together ensures comprehensive coverage, enabling organizations to:

• Monitor and secure both infrastructure and application layers
• Identify and remediate vulnerabilities across the entire tech stack
• Build a Zero Trust security framework

How do SSPM vs CSPM data security capabilities compare?

The following table highlights the key differences and capabilities of SSPM vs CSPM, helping to clarify their complementary roles.

Real-world lessons from breaches

The importance of combining SSPM and CSPM is underscored by recent high-profile breaches. For instance:

• The Snowflake Security Incident in 2024 exposed how mismanaged access permissions within a SaaS environment can lead to significant data breaches. Attackers leveraged stolen credentials and weak security controls to access sensitive customer data. An SSPM solution would have detected excessive privileges, unauthorized integrations, and configuration weaknesses, preventing the breach before it occurred.
• Data Exposures in Microsoft Power Pages demonstrated how configuration errors within SaaS platforms can compromise sensitive information.

These incidents reveal that relying solely on CSPM or native SaaS security tools is insufficient to protect against today’s advanced threats. 

The case for both SSPM and CSPM

Organizations with complex technology stacks that include both public cloud environments and SaaS applications should view SSPM and CSPM as complementary solutions. Together, they:

• Deliver unified visibility across cloud and SaaS ecosystems
• Enhance security team efficiency by automating monitoring and remediation
• Strengthen compliance with regulatory requirements

From a cost-benefit perspective, the investment in both SSPM and CSPM can yield significant returns. According to IBM, the average cost of a data breach is $4.45 million. By preventing even a single breach, these two solutions can save millions in direct financial losses, legal fees, and reputational damage. Additionally, automated monitoring and remediation reduce operational costs by minimizing the manual workload on security teams.

Metrics further underscore the value of adopting both solutions. Comprehensive security measures can significantly reduce the impact of cyberattacks and improve compliance outcomes, offering organizations tangible benefits in operational efficiency and risk mitigation. The improved visibility and proactive threat management provided by SSPM and CSPM can also enhance customer trust and boost stakeholder confidence.

The integration of these solutions not only mitigates risk but also creates efficiencies that enable security teams to focus on higher-value tasks, such as strategic planning and policy development, thereby maximizing the return on investment.

Organizations with complex technology stacks that include both public cloud environments and SaaS applications should view SSPM and CSPM as complementary solutions. Together, they:

• Deliver unified visibility across cloud and SaaS ecosystems
• Enhance security team efficiency by automating monitoring and remediation
• Strengthen compliance with regulatory requirements

Take the next step

Protecting your organization’s data requires a proactive approach. Remember: It’s not SSPM vs CSPM; it’s SSPM and CSPM. AppOmni offers a comprehensive SSPM solution designed to secure your SaaS environment with ease and efficiency. To see how SSPM can benefit your organization, request a free risk assessment today.