A Full SAP Security Checklist for Your Enterprise
SAP, when implemented, handles business-critical data and doesn’t leave any scope for security loopholes. Unauthorized access, human error, and data misuse will seize SAP users if security layers are not that robust and regularly updated.
As security is a sensitive aspect, proper and updated information is imperative. This is why we have come up with this crisp SAP security checklist. While you’re planning to implement SAP security practices, make sure you’ve covered the essentials mentioned here.
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Are you aware of SAP security?
Before one moves towards implementing SAP security, one must get aware of SAP security and its key aspects. It works on a different level and may involve OS security, database security, infrastructure security, and network security. It should cover data security, security logging, and communication security, alongside being able to perform continuous audits and monitor the security practices continuously.
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Do you know the key SAP security concepts?
SAP security is a vast topic and involves multiple concepts. While you have plans to bring a robust SAP security strategy into practice, make sure you’re aware of the key ones as put below:
· SAP Cryptographic Library features SAP-supported encryption items. This library is majorly used for ensuring communication, occurring at various SAP servers, is secured.
· Web-AS or web application server is a technology platform used for various application development. It comes with in-built Enterprise Portal Security, SSL, and Load Balancing features.
· STAD Data includes exchange data that are the key to gain access to SAP and its related usefulness. It keeps unauthorized access at bay.
· The key network security devices that SAP offers as SAP security strategies are SAP router, DMZ, Firewall, and Network port. Their proper implementation will help an organization to keep security risks under control.
· Audit Information System or AIS is a high-end auditing device used for breaking down the complex SAP frameworks into smaller sections so that diligent monitoring could happen. It’s AI-driven and plays a crucial role in systems and business audits.
· Single Sign-On allows organizations to develop analogous end-user credentials to gain access to multiple SAP frameworks. With a centralized access point, keeping SAP security risks and continual monitoring is possible.
· ITS or Internet Transaction Server Security aids in offering SAP framework from the internet with the least possible security risks as it comes with many top-notch in-built security highlights such as Wgate and Agate.
· User authentication and management deal with changing SAP system configuration so that only authorized professionals are using the SAP resources. The key SAP user authentication methods used wide area SAP logon tickets, user ID management tools, and X.509 client certificates.
· Password policy implementation allows organizations to make sure that only strong passwords are used to access the SAP tools. Some of the most widely used password practices for SAP systems are altering the primary password used for login after first-time usage, using a password featuring transaction code and parameter name, not using the first section of the password as ?and not repeating the letters & patterns in the password.
· Protecting the SAP systems from unauthorized logon can be done by terminating a session, locking users attempting the illegal access, using screen savers, keeping a track of unwanted logon, and recording these attempts.
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Is your SAP security layered?
SAP security can be layered. The offered SAP security layering options are authentication, authorization, integrity, privacy, and obligation. Authentication refers to granting access only to legitimate professionals while authorization deals with granting only the designated tasks and data resources. Integrity ensures that data integrity remains intact with each access.
Privacy implementations are responsible for protecting data if unauthorized access happens. Lastly, the obligation is accounted for adhering to a legal obligation and compliances while handling data or implementing SAP security.
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What are the best practices for SAP security?
SAP security is an extensive task and can include tons of features, depending upon the organizational needs. However, there are certain aspects that should be a part of every effective SAP security strategy.
For instance, there should be continual network setting and architecture assessment should be done with strong adherence to quality standards like OWASP, ISACA, and DSAG.
All the OS, upon which SAP is installed, should be included in the security auditing.
Organizations should also go for an upgrade of change and transport strategy. There should be continual DBMS security risks assessments. SAP components like SAP portal, SAP Gateway, SAP Router, SAP Gateway, and SAP GUI should be included in the security risk analysis.
Do you know the ways to protect the SAP data?
Data is crucial and the aim of every SAP security breach is to steal the data. In fact, all the above-mentioned SAP security strategies are to keep stored data saved. Other than these strategies, one must adopt certain data-specific protection activities.
· Keeping the external data safe
The first line of defense to protect the external data for SAP is to keep reviewing the security practices used for logical and physical security continuously. It can be achieved by placing the closing ports on the firewall that are no longer in the action, protecting the physical backup resources with encryption, granting only remote access with VPN, and using automated products to review the security configuration.
· Keeping the internal data safe
While you plan to protect the internal data safe, pay attention to facts like whether or not data at rest is using encryption, data in motion is backed-up with network segregation, and two-factor authentication is applied on the data accessed by remote workers.
The SAP data security goes an extra mile with not granting the facility of rooting the tasks and accessing Administrator account, limiting the sharing of business-sensitive data via email, and using data on non-production systems.
Are you protecting the SAP’s mobile app as well?
Mobile accessibility has become a crucial part and almost every business resource, used by an organization, offers a mobile app to enhance the resource’s utility. SAP does the same. SAP allows all of its leading applications approachable via mobile.
Hence, protecting those mobile apps should be a key aim of applied SAP security strategy. If they are not covered, then protecting the SAP system will stand insignificant, as SAP data is accessible from app and systems with equal ease.
Some of the widely used resources for protecting SAP mobile apps are SAP Mobile Academy, SAP Afaria, SAP Hana Cloud, and SAP NetWeaver Gateway.
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Are you planning to have DIY SAP security or hiring an SAP security professional?
Well, the first option should be the case only when you’re an SAP expert as SAP security is complex to handle, and having an in-depth understanding of SAP tools, SAP servers, and SAP networks is imperative. Despite that, the tediousness involved is too tough for a single professional.
For no errors and caveats, it’s better to hand over the job in the hands of a professional. There are many expert SAP security service providers that can devise a pro-active SAP security strategy is per the organizational needs.
Ending Notes
Ensuring the security of SAP systems and mobile app is a pivotal task for everyone using them as ignorance at this front can lead to hassles like data misuse, data theft, information leak, and operational goof ups.
The robust SAP security practice is the one that involves SAP systems, servers, networks, and mobile apps. Having the help of a seasoned SAP development and security service provider makes the job easier than ever. So hunt down for one, hand over the task, and enjoy authentic and verified use of SAP.
