Essential elements for SAP security

SAP security covers many different aspects, but which ones should you consider to have total control of your software? We explain it to you.

 

Updated: March 2025

SAP is a complex but extremely useful ERP that handles large amounts of data and business processes. It is a solution that allows companies to manage their operations in different areas such as finance, logistics, sales, production, and human resources.

SAP has a wide capability to centralize information and optimize processes, and with this, it is possible to facilitate data-driven decision-making in real time. With all of the above, SAP security covers many different aspects, such as infrastructure security, network security, and operating system or database security. Another component is secure code. This includes maintaining SAP code as well as the security of customer-specific code.

What do we mean when we talk about SAP Security?

When we talk about SAP security, we are referring to a set of measures, tools, and best practices designed to protect information and processes within the SAP system. Since SAP handles critical business data, it is essential to ensure its confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Secure configuration of SAP servers is essential to secure the confidential and critical data for your company's business and protect it from cyber attackers found throughout the cloud; this includes secure server configuration, enabling security logging, system communication security, and data protection.

User activities and their authorizations should also be closely logged and monitored.

SAP security verification is one of the main measures to protect an organization's information, the objective of which is to prevent information security risks. These threats are of a multiple nature and will require SAST-class solutions to counteract them.

Threats that could compromise security in SAP

When talking about SAP security, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of threats that can put the integrity of the system and a company's data at risk.
However, it is important to remember that SAP has advanced protection tools and that, with proper management, it is possible to minimize risks and always guarantee a secure environment.

The key is to understand potential vulnerabilities and take preventive measures to strengthen SAP security. Let's look at where there may be failures so you can pay special attention:

Data leakage.

There are two main types of data breaches: when a third party gains access to a database or when employees of a company obtain sufficient access rights to read or copy personal or confidential data and export it to private systems or media. Both scenarios can be avoided through proper system management and account authorization management.

Disclosure of confidential information.

Privacy violations often go hand in hand with data leaks that can occur in cyberattacks. A data breach that includes information about users or customers is considered a privacy violation and, if it occurs, can have significant legal consequences.

Privacy laws vary from country to country; if you have users or customers who live in countries with strict privacy laws, you may be legally obligated to comply with the laws of the customer's country. It is considered a good practice to ensure the security of user data in accordance with the privacy laws of the country where the users reside.

 

Identity theft (phishing).

A phishing attack is an attack in which customers or employees of a company are deceived into providing confidential data to third parties. It is important that security administrators understand how end users use the system, their established habits, and ensure that users are aware of phishing attacks and how to detect them.

The most common method of phishing attack is by email or telephone. To protect against this, the organization must establish clear rules of operation: following them will prevent credentials or system information from being revealed to an unverified third party.

The most common examples of this type of attack is when people impersonate technical support through emails offering deals or making phone calls that turn out to be malicious.
The attacker's objective is to obtain credentials or important information to access data or an information system.

Theft of resources.

From a security perspective, theft means taking something of monetary value, intellectual property, and confidential information about the organization. Attackers with access to your system can manipulate financial data to steal something and cover their tracks. They can also gain access to classified finance or product reports and use them as an advantage in some illicit negotiation. The number of potential risks that theft poses can be varied.

Fraud.

Any opportunity for fraud presents a potential threat, and companies must take steps to ensure that risks are controlled and threats are mitigated. Fraud is often committed using accounts with access to the system's financial and audit parts. These accounts include system administrator-type profiles, so verifying such access is essential for system protection.

Software failures.

Sometimes, attackers have a large network of bots (botnets) or hacked computers that can execute commands simultaneously and remotely. The use of such networks for an attack is known as a distributed denial-of-service attack. The goal of these attacks is to overload servers with traffic in order to damage the system or make it unavailable.  

Elements to improve SAP security

Because SAP systems connect different departments and programs of companies, they are incredibly complex.

That's why it's important to consider the following elements to have quality in SAP security that gives peace of mind to organizations that have implemented the system.

Authentication and session access control

SAP allows managing who can access the system through secure credentials and multi-factor authentication. Additionally, it uses profiles and roles to define what actions each user can perform.

To increase the level of information security and access to it, it is recommended to use strong passwords that meet the minimum security requirements. Most of the time, this involves a defined length, the use of special characters, and regular password changes.

Security in configuration and authorization

Well-defined user profiles are implemented to prevent unnecessary access to sensitive information. The SAP GRC (Governance, Risk & Compliance) module helps manage risks and comply with security regulations.

Encryption and data protection

Information stored and transmitted within SAP can be encrypted to prevent leaks or unauthorized access. Logs and audits can also be applied to track any suspicious activity.

Data transport security

To avoid vulnerabilities, SAP uses secure protocols such as HTTPS, SFTP, and SNC (Secure Network Communications) for information exchange.

Security updates and patches

SAP constantly releases security notes that correct vulnerabilities. Keeping the system updated is key to preventing cyberattacks.

Protection against internal and external threats

SAP has monitoring and behavior analysis tools to detect suspicious activities. Additionally, integration with firewall and antivirus solutions reinforces system protection.

SAP security can only be guaranteed through a comprehensive approach. The presence of small security vulnerabilities leaves additional opportunities for attackers, so no oversights should exist.