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Automation Paves the Way for Better SAP Security

When it comes to the security of a digital landscape, not all targets for hackers are created equal. Some systems are more attractive to cybercriminals than others, and it seems that SAP systems are consistently at the top of this undesirable list.
E3 Magazine
November 14, 2023
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This text has been automatically translated from German to English.

Why is this the case? The answer lies in understanding the value proposition these systems offer to threat actors and the potential damage they can cause. Why hackers are targeting SAP systems: SAP systems are highly attractive targets for threat actors due to the wealth of valuable information they typically store. These systems often hold critical business data such as financial records and intellectual property, as well as personal information about customers and employees. This makes them a goldmine for cybercriminals looking to commit financial fraud or economic espionage.

In addition, SAP's popularity and cross-industry distribution make it an attractive target. It's a simple matter of numbers. The more systems that can be attacked, the greater the likelihood of finding an unprotected system. It also increases the reusability of malware. It is also worth noting that attackers are increasingly interested in exploiting SAP applications, both manually and automatically.

Given the sensitive nature of the information stored in SAP systems, a successful attack can have far-reaching consequences for an organisation. Financial fraud, ransom demands, competitive disadvantage, business disruption and even closure are all possible outcomes.

In addition to financial loss, a successful attack can cause lasting damage to a company's reputation. Once lost, trust can be difficult to regain and customers may think twice about doing business with a company that is known to have suffered a data breach. It is therefore important to understand not only why SAP systems are targeted, but also how to protect them effectively. Strategies for Securing SAP Systems

Strategies for secure SAP systems

With cyber threats on the rise, maintaining SAP systems and databases is no longer just a best practice, it's a necessity. One of the most important things you can do to protect your SAP system from potential attacks is to keep your applications up to date. This will ensure that your defences are as robust as possible, with the latest security patches and updates to combat current threats.

Patch management is the process of fixing bugs and vulnerabilities and updating software with new features. It is an ongoing process that ensures your system runs smoothly and securely. Patch management in SAP includes updating not only the core system, but also individual components and databases to ensure comprehensive protection against vulnerabilities.

In the code development cycle, SAP uses a variety of mechanisms to maintain a very high level of quality. Unfortunately, hackers find new ways to attack over time. It is therefore essential that newly discovered vulnerabilities be addressed. Updating the installed SAP software is the key to continuous protection against new types of attacks or newly identified potential vulnerabilities.

It is strongly recommended to proactively check all highly critical SAP Security Notes/Hot Fixes on a regular basis (monthly) to ensure a secure and up-to-date SAP system landscape.

In addition to regular updates and patches, updating certificates in SAP systems plays an important role in their security. Certificates are digital documents that verify the identity of a user or system. Regularly updating these certificates ensures that only authorised people and systems have access to your SAP environment. It's like changing the locks on your doors on a regular basis.

Always one step ahead

With cyber-attacks on SAP systems on the rise, it is more important than ever for organizations to stay one step ahead. Automatics aims to provide an understanding of the security issues that continue to make SAP systems a target, and the solutions that can be used to close security gaps on a regular basis.

Automated detection and remediation of vulnerabilities will play an important role, as the manual execution of many tasks is time-consuming and error-prone. Automation can help. You can reduce the amount of work involved and at the same time significantly increase the security of your system landscape.

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Working on the SAP basis is crucial for successful S/4 conversion. 

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