*How to Safely Use the Cloud for Software as a Service (SaaS)*

Today, businesses are jumping onto the speed and flexibility of using cloud-based software and infrastructure. A business should be aware of the security technologies that are needed with cloud and the risks that are brought using Cloud.

Software as a Service (SaaS) helps businesses by having ready to use applications that can scale and are ready to use. Since SaaS providers handle confidential data, business may not think they are responsible for the data and are careless with their information. There are common routes to data theft such as attackers finding week or poorly managed SaaS authentication mechanisms. They also see the vulnerabilities of infrastructure that can be exploited.

What businesses need to focus on regarding SaaS security are data encryption and user access control. Data encryption is important since it allows the protection of the user within the service. Stronger authentication and good quality identity management is vital for user access control.

Regular tracking, monitoring, and controlling the use of the service is important for companies to do since it maintains and protects the control of their information and data as a whole. Business now can control what can be used and applied with approved cloud services. They can also report on activity with identity and access management. Keep in mind, the security of cloud services is rising and there are plenty of cloud technologies to accomplish this necessary monitoring.