SAP, as the core IT system of many enterprises, requires constant monitoring and protection. In today’s instalment of the Safe Tuesday with SNOK series, drawing on expert recommendations, we present the key elements that will help secure SAP environments.
1. Responding to SAP threats
Monitoring the security and audit log in SAP is the foundation of every protection programme. Initially, ready-made templates can be used, but over time it is worth adapting them to better identify threats specific to the particular scope and specifics of the system deployment. The threat-response process should include:
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Identifying and understanding different attack vectors.
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Using a knowledge base with recommended actions.
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Continuously updating monitoring rules and adapting them to the organisation’s specifics.
For example, when unauthorised access attempts appear in the logs, the system should automatically trigger the appropriate response procedures, notify the IT security team, and block potentially dangerous actions.
2. SIEM for SAP
SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems integrate data from various sources to provide a complete picture of potential threats. However, sending raw logs from SAP to a SIEM can result in transmitting a very large volume of events without necessarily valuable information. A better solution is to:
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Prepare a dedicated SIEM for SAP.
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Filter and forward only relevant events, enriched with context and additional information.
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Automate event correlation processes to quickly identify and respond to real threats.
This allows SOC (Security Operations Center) teams to focus on analysing the most important incidents, rather than sifting through vast amounts of irrelevant data.
3. Analysing risky behaviour in SAP
Analysis of potentially risky behaviour relies on in-depth inspection of logs and events to identify malicious activity. Its key elements are:
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Balancing event filtering with thorough logging.
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The ability to detect malicious patterns even in less critical activities.
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Using tools to track user activity and analyse suspicious actions.
An example would be analysing unusual financial transactions that may indicate fraud. Systems designed for this type of analysis help detect such anomalies at an early stage, minimising the risk of financial loss.
4. Security in SAP ALM
Application Lifecycle Management (SAP ALM) makes it possible to check code changes for compliance with security best practices, which is particularly important in SAP cloud solutions. Key aspects in this area include:
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Automatic code scanning before deployment to the production system.
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Verifying SAP transports to ensure they do not introduce potential vulnerabilities.
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Regular updates and code audits.
This ensures that every change to SAP applications complies with the latest security standards, minimising the risk of potential security gaps.
5. Privileged access management
Privileged Access Management (PAM) in SAP is essential for reducing the number of critical events. Key elements include:
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Using elevated privileges only on request, controlled by an automated authorisation process.
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Detailed logging of every PAM session to monitor the actions of users with privileged access.
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Regular reviews and audits of privileged access.
PAM helps ensure that only authorised users have access to critical resources, significantly reducing the risk of misuse.
SNOK’s role in securing SAP
As a partner of SecurityBridge, SNOK plays a key role in ensuring the highest level of security for SAP systems. Our experience and commitment to SAP technology and IT security enable us to implement effective solutions that protect your organisation’s critical data and resources. We offer:
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Deployment and configuration of advanced threat monitoring and response tools.
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Integration of SIEM systems with dedicated SAP solutions.
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Forensic analysis and security audits.
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Security throughout the SAP application lifecycle.
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Privileged access management based on best practices.
Our approach is based on continuous monitoring, analysis and adapting security strategy to dynamically changing threats. This ensures business continuity and protects your company’s most important resources.
SNOK expert: Dariusz Kurkiewicz on security from the perspective of an SAP BASIS architect
“Modern SAP environments are complex and more exposed to threats than ever before. It is essential that organisations not only monitor their systems but also actively respond to emerging threats. Implementing SIEM-class systems and advanced forensic analysis are the foundations of a modern approach to security. These tools allow us to quickly identify and neutralise security vulnerabilities in IT environments before they affect business operations.” - Dariusz Kurkiewicz, SAP Architect at SNOK.
Summary
SAP security is a continuous process that requires constant attention and updating. Implementing the key processes described above will help secure SAP environments, minimising the risk of incidents and ensuring business continuity. SNOK, as a SecurityBridge partner, offers comprehensive SAP security solutions tailored to your organisation’s specific needs. Contact us to learn more and benefit from our expertise.