Enterprises around the world are increasingly prioritizing SaaS security, as revealed by the latest Annual SaaS Security Survey Report: 2025 CISO Plans and Priorities. The report, commissioned by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) and conducted by Adaptive Shield, highlights a fundamental shift in focus towards securing SaaS applications in the face of looming threats.
One of the key findings of the survey is the establishment of dedicated SaaS security teams within organizations, with over 70% of enterprises now having specialized teams focusing on securing SaaS applications. This trend comes at a time when SaaS platforms are integral to various industries, making security a top concern for businesses of all sizes. The survey also notes that despite economic challenges and job cuts in 2023, organizations have significantly increased their investment in SaaS security, with a notable boost in hiring dedicated SaaS security staff and budgets.
The emergence of SaaS-specific security roles is a new development highlighted by the survey, with a majority of organizations reporting having dedicated SaaS security teams comprising of at least two full-time employees. This shift indicates a growing recognition of the importance of SaaS security within corporate agendas. Moreover, the survey reveals that 80% of respondents now consider SaaS security as a moderate or high priority, underscoring the newfound emphasis placed on securing SaaS applications.
In addition to the establishment of dedicated security teams, organizations have made significant strides in enhancing key SaaS security capabilities. The survey showcases that a large percentage of organizations now perceive their SaaS security posture as highly or moderately mature, with improvements in visibility into the SaaS stack and enhanced detection capabilities for security threats. However, despite these advancements, organizations still face challenges, particularly in achieving visibility into business-critical applications like Microsoft 365, GitHub, and Salesforce.
The survey also highlights the use of various tools for securing the SaaS stack, with organizations utilizing tools such as CASB and manual audits facing more significant challenges compared to those leveraging SSPM. Companies adopting SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) are experiencing better outcomes in terms of scalability, monitoring, and overall security of their SaaS environment. SSPM users are more likely to have full visibility into their SaaS stack, enabling them to effectively manage security risks and compliance standards.
Despite the challenges faced by organizations, the survey indicates that investments in SaaS security are paying off, with a decline in the number of security incidents reported over the past year. Organizations that have adopted SSPM as part of their security strategy are better positioned to prevent and mitigate security breaches, demonstrating the effectiveness of specialized tools in addressing SaaS security threats.
In conclusion, the survey emphasizes the positive momentum towards enhancing SaaS security strategies and the importance of adopting tools that specifically cater to SaaS security requirements. By integrating SSPM and refining SaaS security strategies, organizations can reduce the likelihood of security incidents and better protect their SaaS applications in the evolving threat landscape.