As a dealer, your primary focus is selling and servicing cars and trucks. However, to succeed, you must also defend your dealership against a variety of threats — including the growing SaaS security risks that businesses face. In today’s world, it’s crucial to recognize that your operations are increasingly dependent on cloud-based services. While this technology streamlines everything from customer management to inventory control, it also introduces challenges that may exceed the capabilities of your current IT or cybersecurity teams. One of the biggest concerns? The rise of cyber threats targeting Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications.
In 2023, businesses used an average of 371 SaaS applications, and with each one comes a new opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities. From weak passwords to misconfigurations, the SaaS attack surface is vast, complex, and constantly evolving.
Weak Password Security: Your First Line of Defense, or Your Biggest Risk?
How many different apps does your dealership use? If you’re like most, it’s quite a few. And with each one, there’s a login to manage. Unfortunately, the reality is that weak and reused passwords are still common across many businesses.
Think about it—does your team use multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all their accounts? If not, a single compromised password could give a cybercriminal direct access to your systems.
Even worse, service accounts—those used by machines rather than humans—are often left vulnerable to password-spraying attacks. Without individual accountability tied to these accounts, a hacker could be lurking in your system, undetected, for months.
Default Settings: Quick Setup, Long-Term Headache
SaaS apps are designed to be user-friendly right out of the box. But ease of use can come with a price: misconfigurations. These apps come loaded with default settings that make it simple to get started but can leave gaping security holes if not properly adjusted. Unfortunately, the responsibility for managing these settings rests on the shoulders of your dealership—not the app provider.
Take the recent Microsoft Teams phishing attack, for instance. A default setting allowed external users to message your employees, opening up the door for cybercriminals to launch malware attacks. And it’s not just about misconfigurations when you first launch the app—configuration drift over time can create new security gaps that are easy to miss.
Privilege Management: Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen?
When it comes to SaaS applications, it’s not just about having the right tools—it’s about who has control over them. Admin privileges are particularly sensitive, especially when the app owners sit outside the IT or cybersecurity team. If too many people at your dealership have high-level access, it becomes a potential playground for hackers who exploit those privileges.
The principle of least privilege (PoLP) is a fundamental cybersecurity measure that ensures employees only have access to the information they need. If your current IT setup doesn’t enforce this policy, you could be widening your attack surface unnecessarily.
Third-Party App Permissions: Trust Issues
SaaS apps love to integrate with each other, and employees love to install third-party tools that help them do their jobs. But when these third-party apps request excessive permissions, they may open up your dealership to serious risks. Whether it’s a rogue app with malware or a trusted one with weak security practices, giving too much access can lead to unauthorized control over your dealership’s data.
Imagine an employee linking their personal Dropbox account to your Office 365 system—suddenly, sensitive dealership data could be at risk, without anyone in your IT department knowing about it.
A Holistic Approach to SaaS Security: Can Your Team Handle It?
Managing SaaS security isn’t just about plugging a few holes—it’s about adopting a comprehensive strategy. The emerging field of SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) allows organizations to continuously monitor their security risk across all their SaaS apps. This means constantly assessing vulnerabilities, detecting threats in real time, and ensuring that misconfigurations are addressed before they become a problem.
But here’s the catch: implementing an effective SSPM program requires deep security expertise. It’s not just a matter of downloading a tool—it’s about understanding the ever-evolving attack landscape and being able to act quickly.
So, What’s Next?
The SaaS attack surface is only growing, and cybercriminals are getting more sophisticated. If you’re running a modern car dealership, your existing IT team may not have the specialized knowledge required to keep up with these threats. With hundreds of SaaS apps to manage, and new vulnerabilities emerging every day, advanced expertise is essential to safeguard your operations.
To protect your dealership’s data, reputation, and finances, consider partnering with cybersecurity experts who specialize in SaaS security and cloud management. By working with a team that understands the complexities of the SaaS environment, you can reduce your attack surface and ensure your dealership is prepared for the threats of 2025 and beyond.
