Secure holidays without hassle: maintaining SAP security during summer

In the digital age, the importance of maintaining secure business operations, especially during holidays, cannot be overstated. One such critical aspect is the protection of SAP systems, which store a company's most sensitive data and processes. Here's a guide on how to secure SAP systems during the holiday season.

The "RISE with SAP" Procurement Guide sets the course for the future, helping companies safely embark on their journey into the cloud era. However, as businesses transition to the cloud, ensuring the security of SAP applications becomes even more crucial.

When connecting to corporate networks and SAP applications from remote locations, it is essential to use a reliable virtual private network (VPN). This measure helps maintain the integrity and confidentiality of data transmitted over the network, thus reducing the risk of unauthorised access.

During holiday seasons, reduced staff and decreased vigilance in security centres make business-critical SAP applications more vulnerable to attacks. Cyber attackers often take advantage of this situation, planning their next steps during summer vacations. To mitigate this risk, companies should implement strict access controls and continuously monitor the activities of third parties within their SAP landscape.

Employees accessing SAP remotely during the holidays should prioritise using a reliable VPN, ensure corporate devices are updated, and be cautious of phishing and social engineering scams. Personal cybersecurity habits directly influence the overall security posture of a company, especially when accessing SAP systems remotely or from private devices.

Continuous SAP security monitoring and incident response is crucial during the holiday season. This enables the immediate detection of anomalous behaviour, suspicious activities, and external scan attempts, ensuring that threats can be addressed promptly.

Hardening SAP configurations and access controls before the holidays is another crucial step. This includes reviewing user roles and permissions, enforcing the principle of least privilege, and implementing role separation. Proactively managing SAP vulnerabilities before the holidays involves conducting thorough assessments, applying critical SAP security patches, and establishing a robust patch management process.

Experts recommend securing SAP systems during summer holidays with georedundant data storage, a well-planned disaster recovery plan, and compliance with cybersecurity standards like ISO 27001 and NIS 2 regulations. This ensures system availability and data protection, even during extended vacation periods.

Lastly, third-party providers with SAP access can become entry points for attackers during the holidays. It's crucial to review and enforce security practices for all third-party accesses to minimise extended risks during holidays.

In conclusion, securing SAP systems during the holidays requires a multi-faceted approach, encompassing robust access controls, continuous monitoring, proactive vulnerability management, and a focus on both internal and external security measures. By adopting these practices, businesses can ensure the security and continuity of their SAP systems even during holiday seasons.