In order to understand the significance of SaaS Security Certification, one must first understand what SaaS is. SaaS is a software-as-a-service delivery model. SaaS security certification pertains to the safety and security of this type of software. There are five types of SaaS security certifications. They are compliance, privacy, data centre, platform, and application.

What is a SaaS Security Certification?

A SaaS Security Certification is an attestation by a third-party organisation that a SaaS provider requires to meet in order to provide certain security standards. This certification process involves an assessment of the security controls of the SaaS providers. The certification process also includes an on-site audit of the SaaS provider’s facilities, if required.

What is the Significance of SaaS Security?

The SaaS model of software delivery has revolutionised the way businesses operate. It provides many benefits such as cost savings, scalability, and flexibility. However, this process raises serious concerns about data security as well as privacy.

There are numerous compliance requirements that businesses must meet, and these requirements differ from one another depending on the industry and country. SaaS Security Certification is one way to show that your business meets these compliance requirements as it instils confidence in customers and partners who may be apprehensive about the security of their data.

5 Types of SaaS Security Certifications

1. SOC 2:  Service Organization Control (SOC) is a framework that helps service organisations assess and improve their internal controls. SOC-II certification specifically pertains to SaaS providers. Here, the SaaS provider needs to implement controls related to availability, confidentiality, security, processing integrity, and privacy of customer data.
2. HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US law that protects the privacy of patient health information. SaaS providers that offer solutions to healthcare organizations must comply with HIPAA requirements.
3. ISO 27001: ISO 27001 is the international standard for Information Security  Management Systems (ISMS). SaaS providers that want to get certified must implement controls related to the security of information assets.
4. PCI-DSS: The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) is a set of security standards for organisations that work with branded credit cards from large card schemes. PCI-DSS processes, stores, and transmits credit card information. SaaS providers that offer solutions to businesses in the retail and e-commerce sectors must comply with PCI-DSS requirements.
5. GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a set of regulations that are implemented by the member states of the European Union. The GDPR requires businesses to take measures for the protection of the personal data of individuals.

These are the five main types of SaaS Security Certifications. SaaS providers can choose the certification that is most relevant to their business and get certified accordingly.

3 Benefits You Can Acquire from SaaS Security

• Building trust: SaaS Security Certification helps build trust with customers and partners. It instils confidence in them ensuring that their data is secure and that the SaaS provider is compliant with relevant regulations.
• Increased revenue: SaaS Security Certification can help increase revenue by attracting new customers and partners. It can also help retain existing customers and partners who may be concerned about the security of their data.
• Improved security posture: SaaS Security Certification can help improve the security posture of a SaaS provider. This can help the SaaS provider identify and mitigate risks more effectively.

Processes for Acquiring A SaaS Security Certification?

The SaaS security certification process may vary depending on the certification type, but there are some regular, routine pathways involved in the certification process.

The very first step involved in acquiring a SaaS security certification is to choose the right certification. Once the SaaS provider has chosen a certification relevant to their businesses, they must assess their current security controls. This will help the SaaS provider identify gaps in their security controls.

Then comes the step where the SaaS providers need to implement the required controls. SaaS providers must put in place the controls required by the certification they have chosen.

After implementing the required controls, the SaaS provider must get their security posture assessed by a third-party assessor.

Once the SaaS provider has achieved certification, they must maintain their security controls and get re-certified periodically to ensure that their security posture is up to date.

Bottom Line:

SaaS Security Certification is a process that helps SaaS providers build trust with customers and partners, increase revenue, and improve their security posture. SaaS providers can choose the certification that is most relevant to their business and get certified. SaaS providers must implement the required controls and get their security posture assessed by a third-party assessor. Once the SaaS provider has achieved certification, they must maintain their security controls and get re-certified periodically to ensure that their security posture is up to date.