How to manage SaaS risk in Salesforce with security controls
Salesforce holds your most sensitive customer and revenue data. But complex permissions, heavy customization, and third-party integrations create security gaps attackers actively exploit. If you’re not continuously monitoring Salesforce, you’re exposed.
Effective Salesforce security is more than turning features on. Companies need the right security controls in place to continuously assess risk, maintain visibility, and prevent configuration drift. Here’s a checklist of seven critical Salesforce security controls designed to protect data, reduce exposure, and support a stronger security posture:
1. Review and Optimize User Permissions
Over-permissioned users can expose sensitive data, either accidentally or intentionally. Continuous monitoring and dynamic adjustment of permissions ensure that users have only what they need, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Key actions to take:
- Monitor and Adjust Permissions Continuously: Automatically flag and correct over-permissioned accounts to reduce security risks.
- Enforce Least Privilege: Ensure users only have the permissions necessary for their roles, dynamically adjusting as needed.
2. Secure System Settings
System settings are the backbone of your Salesforce security posture. Misconfigurations can create vulnerabilities that attackers exploit. Regularly align these settings with best practices to prevent exposure.
Key actions to take:
- Prioritize High-Risk Settings: Focus on securing critical areas like API access and data exports to minimize vulnerabilities.
- Enable Drift Alerts: Set up alerts to catch any deviations from approved configurations, ensuring rapid response.
3. Update Your Baseline Policies
System settings are the backbone of your Salesforce security posture. Misconfigurations can create vulnerabilities that attackers exploit. Regularly align these settings with best practices to prevent exposure.
Key actions to take:
- Automate Policy Enforcement: Keep baseline policies up to date and ensure they are consistently applied across your environment.
- Detect and Correct Deviations: Quickly address any departures from established policies to maintain security.
4. Enhance Salesforce Security with Precise Threat Detection
Effective threat detection is essential for identifying and addressing potential risks in your Salesforce environment. Proactive monitoring helps prevent unauthorized access and malicious activities.
Key actions to take:
- Implement Comprehensive Detection: Use advanced tools to monitor for a wide range of risks, from unusual logins to data extraction attempts.
- Customize Alerts: Tailor detection alerts to focus on the most critical activities for quicker, more effective responses.
5. Secure Data Handling for Einstein
Einstein’s AI-driven features offer powerful capabilities but can introduce risks if not properly secured. Secure data handling is essential to prevent exposure and unauthorized access.
Key actions to take:
- Restrict Data Sharing: Limit who can access synchronized data and use filters to protect sensitive information.
- Set Secure Defaults: Ensure default settings prioritize security to minimize the risk of data exposure.
6. Govern and Secure Connected SaaS Apps
Connected SaaS apps can introduce security risks if not properly managed. Visibility and control over these connections are crucial to maintaining a secure Salesforce environment.
Key actions to take:
- Gain Visibility and Control: Regularly review all connected SaaS apps, focusing on those linked through identity providers.
- Assess and Monitor Risks: Use tools to map and evaluate app connections, prioritizing actions based on potential security impacts.
7. Enable and Monitor External Client Settings
External Client settings control how third-party applications interact with Salesforce. Proper management of these settings is vital to preventing unauthorized access and ensuring compliance.
Key actions to take:
- Restrict and Monitor Access: Limit external client access to only trusted apps and continuously monitor data flows for suspicious activity.
- Enforce Granular Permissions: Apply detailed role-based access controls to minimize exposure and prevent unauthorized data access.
How AppOmni improves Salesforce security controls
AppOmni simplifies these essential security practices by providing deep visibility and control over your Salesforce environment. With automated management of configurations, permissions, and integrations, AppOmni strengthens your security posture, ensuring resilience against evolving threats.
With AppOmni, security teams can:
- Maintain continuous visibility across all Salesforce orgs, including production, sandbox, development, and community environments.
- Detect and remediate high-risk misconfigurations, such as guest user access to PII and APIs lacking IP-based restrictions.
- Enforce Zero Trust access controls with MFA, SSO, IP allowlists, session policies, and conditional access.
- Identify and assess risky OAuth-connected third-party applications, including browser extensions and data extraction tools with data exfiltration potential.
With built-in expertise, clear guidance, and automation, AppOmni makes securing SaaS environments easier and more effective than ever.