Safe Tuesday with SNOK: SAP BTP Security 2025 - A Comprehensive SNOK Guide for the Board

Imagine you operate a fleet of the most advanced merchant vessels, carrying your company’s most valuable cargo - business data. SAP Business Technology Platform is exactly such a vessel, carrying your business processes into the cloud. The difference is that, unlike ships on the open sea where threats are visible to the naked eye, in the digital world the pirates operate unseen, and their attacks can strike at any moment. This is precisely why the security of SAP BTP has become a strategic matter for any chief executive who takes the future of their organisation seriously.

Why SAP BTP is no longer just an “IT tool”

Digital transformation has stopped being an option - it has become a condition for survival in a competitive market. SAP Business Technology Platform has evolved from a simple cloud platform into a comprehensive ecosystem that forms the backbone of the digital enterprise. This is no longer a technological matter, but a strategic business decision that determines an organisation’s ability to adapt, innovate and compete in the future.

The BTP platform combines application development, process automation, system integration and advanced analytics and artificial intelligence. In practice, this means that an organisation’s most important data flows through this platform - from customer information, through financial data, to intellectual property and trade secrets. This makes securing this environment a top priority for the board.

According to the latest industry forecasts for 2025, governments and regulators worldwide will require greater board-level attention to SAP security. Compliance frameworks such as NIST and the European Union’s NIS2 Directive impose stricter standards, including personal liability for board members in the event of non-compliance. These are no longer the days when responsibility for IT security could be delegated to the technical department - the board now bears direct legal and financial liability for security breaches.

SAP BTP security architecture - multi-layered protection in practice

SAP BTP security is not based on a single layer of protection, but on a comprehensive, multi-layered approach. It is like building a medieval castle - you need walls, a moat, a gate and guards at every level. In the digital world, these layers include identity and access management, data encryption, threat monitoring and compliance management.

Identity and access management (IAM)

The first and most important line of defence is controlling who has access to your resources. SAP BTP offers advanced IAM capabilities, including single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based access control (RBAC). In practice, this means every user receives exactly the level of access necessary to perform their duties - no more, no less.

Regular reviews of permissions are equally important. Employees change roles, leave the company, move to other departments - and their permissions often remain unchanged. This is like leaving safe keys with former employees. That is why automating the permissions management process is becoming essential to maintaining security.

Encryption and secure communication

Data in SAP BTP must be protected both in transit and at rest. Using HTTPS and TLS protocols is an absolute minimum, but the real challenge lies in ensuring end-to-end encryption for all critical business processes. This means data is encrypted from the moment it enters the system, throughout processing, until it is used by an authorised user.

Monitoring and threat detection

The traditional approach to security was based on building ever-higher walls. Today we know this is not enough. Active monitoring is required, allowing anomalies and potential threats to be detected before an actual breach occurs. The SAP BTP Audit Log Service records all significant events in the environment, but real value only emerges when these logs are analysed in real time by advanced threat detection systems.

Challenges of hybrid environments - where on-premise meets the cloud

Most organisations do not move to the cloud overnight. The reality is hybrid environments, where on-premise systems coexist with cloud solutions. This creates unique security challenges that require particular attention.

SAP Cloud Connector becomes a critical piece of this puzzle, acting as a secure bridge between the on-premise world and the cloud. Its correct configuration and regular updating are an absolute necessity. It is like guarding the only bridge leading to your fortress - if it is compromised, the entire defence collapses.

In addition, each platform - Cloud Foundry, Neo, ABAP - has its own specific security requirements. This requires IT teams not only to understand each of them individually, but also how they interact with one another. The complexity of these interactions often creates security gaps that can be exploited by cybercriminals.

Application development on BTP - security from the first line of code

Security for applications developed on SAP BTP must be built into the development process from the very beginning. It cannot be treated as an add-on applied at the end. It is like building a house - the foundations must be solid from the outset; they cannot be reinforced after the walls have already been raised.

For ABAP applications running on SAP BTP, it is essential to extend on-premise best practices to the cloud environment. Static and dynamic code analysis makes it possible to detect potential security vulnerabilities before an application is deployed to production. This is significantly cheaper and safer than patching holes after the fact.

Particular attention should be paid to applications using the Spring framework in Java environments. Recent security guidance points to the need to secure sensitive endpoints that are often left accessible for debugging purposes. It is like leaving a back door open - convenient for developers, but disastrous for security.

Patch management - an endless game of cat and mouse

Every month brings new discoveries of security vulnerabilities and the associated patches. SAP Security Patch Day has become a fixture on the calendar of every SAP administrator. But issuing a patch is only the beginning - the real challenge is deploying it across the entire system landscape without disrupting business processes.

In 2025, we are seeing a significant increase in the number of security notes issued - often more than 20 a month. These are not just minor fixes - many concern critical vulnerabilities that could be exploited to take control of a system. For example, the recent discovery of a vulnerability allowing an attacker to use a secret phrase to impersonate any user on the SAP BusinessObjects BI platform shows how serious the consequences of neglecting updates can be.

Particularly problematic are vulnerabilities in components that are not widely known to teams responsible for patch management. SAP Approuter, a Node.js module deployed in Cloud Foundry environments on BTP, is an excellent example. It is a component that acts as a reverse proxy for applications, but often remains off the radar of traditional SAP administrators.

Compliance and regulation - growing pressure on boards

2025 brings an unprecedented tightening of regulatory requirements. The NIS2 Directive introduces personal liability for board members for security breaches. This is a fundamental change - ignoring cybersecurity issues can now result not only in financial penalties for the company, but also in personal legal consequences for board members.

Organisations must be able to demonstrate that they have implemented appropriate security measures and that they regularly monitor and update them. This requires not only technical safeguards, but also proper documentation, processes and procedures. Compliance reporting is becoming just as important as compliance itself.

AI and machine learning - a double-edged sword in cybersecurity

Artificial intelligence is revolutionising both attack and defence in cyberspace. On the one hand, cybercriminals are using AI to create increasingly sophisticated attacks capable of bypassing traditional defences. On the other hand, AI-based systems are becoming essential for detecting and responding to these threats.

User and Entity Behaviour Analytics (UEBA) uses machine learning to identify unusual behaviour patterns that may indicate a security breach. The system learns what is “normal” for each user and alerts when it detects deviations. It is like having a virtual guard who knows every employee’s habits and notices when someone is behaving suspiciously.

The partner ecosystem and supply chain - an expanded attack surface

The expansion of SAP ecosystems through platforms such as SAP Ariba and SAP BTP means that critical SAP applications are increasingly exposed to business partners and suppliers. This expands the attack surface and requires a rethink of security strategy.

Every partner with access to your SAP BTP becomes a potential attack vector. This requires not only technical safeguards, but also appropriate agreements, audits and monitoring. Security becomes a matter of managing business relationships, not just technology.

SNOK - a Polish expert in securing SAP environments

In this complex SAP BTP security landscape, choosing the right partner - one who combines the best technology with local expertise - is of key importance. SNOK, as a leading Polish SAP solutions integrator, specialises in the comprehensive securing of SAP environments, including SAP BTP, offering a unique combination of the SecurityBridge product with expert consulting services.

What sets SNOK apart in the Polish market? Above all, a deep knowledge of local business and regulatory realities, combined with access to the latest security technologies. SNOK’s team does not just implement tools - it understands the specific nature of Polish enterprises, their digital transformation challenges, and the regulatory pressure arising from the implementation of EU directives.

SNOK’s collaboration with SecurityBridge brings unique benefits to Polish companies. The SecurityBridge Platform offers the most comprehensive SAP BTP security solution on the market, but the technology alone is only part of the success. SNOK adds value in the form of local support, knowledge of industry best practices, and the ability to tailor the solution to each client’s specific needs. This combination of global technology with local expertise creates a synergy that translates into real business benefits - from risk reduction to the optimisation of security costs.

“SAP BTP security is no longer optional - it is a business necessity,” says Patryk Budkowski, an SAP cybersecurity consultant at SNOK. “We see our largest enterprises undergoing intensive digital transformation, moving critical processes to the cloud. The problem is that they often do so without adequate protection. It is like moving into a new office and leaving the door open. SecurityBridge, combined with our expertise, allows us to close that door and monitor who tries to walk through it. What matters most is that we are not talking only about technology - we are talking about protecting the entire business, the company’s reputation and customer trust.”

Jaroslaw Kamil Zdanowski, SNOK partner responsible for SAP cybersecurity and BASIS, adds a technical perspective: “SAP BTP environments are inherently complex and multi-layered. We deal with a range of technologies - from Cloud Foundry, through Neo, to ABAP in the cloud. Each has its own specific security requirements. Our clients often do not realise that moving an application to the cloud does not automatically secure it. Quite the opposite - responsibility for the security of data and applications still rests with them. SecurityBridge gives us the tools to comprehensively monitor every layer, but it is our expertise that allows us to configure them correctly, interpret the alerts, and take the right action. That is the difference between having an alarm and knowing what to do when it goes off.”

Success story - how an automotive manufacturer secured its digital transformation

One of Poland’s leading automotive manufacturers faced the challenge of migrating critical production processes to SAP BTP. The company, employing more than 5,000 people and supplying global car brands, could not afford any downtime or security breaches. Every minute of production line downtime meant losses counted in hundreds of thousands of złoty.

The challenge was multi-dimensional. The company had to not only move its processes to the cloud, but also ensure compliance with automotive OEM requirements concerning supply chain security. In addition, integration with business partners’ systems required opening external access, which significantly increased risk.

SNOK began with a comprehensive security audit of the existing SAP environment and an analysis of the planned BTP architecture. The team then implemented the SecurityBridge Platform, configuring monitoring of all critical components - from SAP Cloud Connector, through Cloud Foundry environments, to integrations with partner systems.

A key element of the project’s success was the implementation of automatic detection of anomalies in user behaviour. The system quickly learned normal work patterns and began alerting on unusual activity. Within the first month after deployment, the system detected an attempted unauthorised access via a compromised business partner account, which prevented a potential leak of production data.

“Digital transformation was a leap into the unknown for us,” admits the company’s CIO. “We were aware of the business benefits of moving to SAP BTP, but at the same time we worried about the security of our production data and intellectual property. Working with SNOK and implementing SecurityBridge completely changed our perspective. Now we not only feel secure, but have full visibility into what is happening in our systems. It is like moving from analogue security cameras to an AI system that does not just record, but actively analyses and raises the alarm about threats. What is most impressive is that it all works in real time - we receive alerts within seconds of suspicious activity being detected. The ROI on this investment has exceeded our boldest expectations - not only did we avoid potential incidents, but we also optimised our permissions management processes, bringing additional savings.”

The implementation delivered measurable results:

• 100% compliance with automotive OEM security requirements

• Reduction in incident detection time from days to seconds

• 75% reduction in false alarms through intelligent analysis

• Zero security incidents since implementation

• 40% reduction in the time required for security audits

Practical steps to securing SAP BTP - where to start

Step 1: Inventory and mapping

Start by thoroughly mapping your SAP BTP environment. What services do you use? Which data is processed? Who has access? These are fundamental questions to which you must know the answers. Without this knowledge, even the best security tools will be operating blind.

Step 2: Implementing basic safeguards

Make sure you have basic security mechanisms in place:

• Strong authentication (MFA) for all users

• Encryption of data at rest and in transit

• Regular permissions reviews

• An up-to-date SAP Cloud Connector configuration

Step 3: Monitoring and threat detection

Implement a solution for monitoring and analysing logs. SAP BTP generates enormous volumes of event data - the key is the ability to filter genuine threats out of that noise. This is precisely where solutions such as SecurityBridge demonstrate their value.

Step 4: Vulnerability and patch management

Establish a process for regular vulnerability scanning and patch deployment. Remember that every patch must be tested before being deployed to production. Automating this process can significantly reduce risk and the burden on your team.

Step 5: Incident preparedness

Have an incident response plan in place. Who is responsible? What are the procedures? How will you communicate during a crisis? Regular exercises and simulations will help ensure that when a real crisis arrives, you are ready.

The future of SAP BTP security - trends for 2025 and beyond

Zero Trust Architecture

The traditional security model, based on trusting users inside the network, is becoming a thing of the past. Zero Trust assumes that no user or device should be trusted by default. Every transaction must be verified, every access checked. This is a fundamental shift in how we think about security.

Automation and orchestration

Manual security management is becoming impossible given the scale and complexity of modern IT environments. Automation of security processes - from patch management to incident response - is becoming a necessity. Security Orchestration, Automation and Response (SOAR) is not just a buzzword, but a genuine need.

Quantum-ready cryptography

Although quantum computers are still in their infancy, organisations must already begin preparing for the post-quantum era. Encryption algorithms resistant to quantum attacks will become standard in the years ahead.

Extended Detection and Response (XDR)

Integrating different layers of security into a unified detection and response platform is becoming essential. XDR combines data from endpoints, networks, the cloud and applications, providing a holistic view of an organisation’s security.

SecurityBridge - the technological pillar of SAP BTP security

The SecurityBridge Platform stands out in the market as the most comprehensive security solution dedicated to SAP environments. What makes it unique?

Firstly, native integration with SAP. This is not an overlay or an external tool - SecurityBridge operates within the SAP ecosystem, giving it unprecedented visibility and control. The platform monitors all relevant SAP BTP security logs, including the Audit Log of Cloud Foundry and NEO environments, Global Account events, and SAP Cloud Connector logs.

Secondly, a 360-degree approach. SecurityBridge does not focus on just one aspect of security, but offers comprehensive protection - from code analysis, through vulnerability management, to real-time threat detection. This removes the need to juggle multiple tools and reduces the complexity of security management.

Thirdly, intelligent analysis. The use of machine learning and AI reduces false alarms and allows attention to be focused on genuine threats. The system learns the normal patterns within your organisation and only alerts on true anomalies.

Security ROI - why investing in SAP BTP protection pays off

Discussions about security often focus on costs, but the return on investment is rarely mentioned. Yet properly securing SAP BTP delivers measurable financial benefits.

Reducing the risk of breaches is the most obvious benefit. The average cost of a data breach in 2025 runs into millions of złoty - not counting reputational damage and loss of customer trust. But that is only the tip of the iceberg.

Automating security processes reduces the burden on the IT team. Instead of manually reviewing logs and managing permissions, your specialists can focus on strategic initiatives. This translates into increased productivity and reduced operating costs.

Better regulatory compliance means less time and money spent on audits. When you have continuous monitoring and automatic reporting, preparing for an audit becomes a matter of generating a report, not weeks of frantic work.

Faster detection and response to incidents minimises their impact on the business. The difference between detecting a breach within minutes versus discovering it weeks later can amount to millions of złoty.

Building a security culture - the role of leadership

Technology is only part of the security equation. Real change starts at the top - with board-level commitment and building a security culture across the whole organisation.

Jacek Bugajski, CEO of SNOK, underlines the importance of this perspective: “Over the years, I have observed how Polish companies approach SAP security. It is often treated as a cost, as a necessary evil. In reality, however, it is an investment in business continuity and competitive advantage. Companies that treat security strategically not only avoid costly incidents, but also build the trust of clients and partners. In a world where data is the new currency, security becomes a business differentiator. Our mission at SNOK is not only to deliver technology, but to educate and build awareness at board level. When a CEO understands why SAP BTP security is critical to their business, the whole organisation starts to act differently. That is a cultural shift that delivers long-term benefits.”

Leaders must set the example. When the board treats security as a priority, the rest of the organisation follows suit. This means regular board-level reviews of security status, incorporating security metrics into organisational KPIs, and ensuring appropriate budgets for security initiatives.

Education and awareness - the first line of defence

The weakest link in the security chain is often the human being. The best technology will not help if employees click on phishing links or share passwords.

Regular security training is a necessity, but it must be engaging and practical. Instead of dry presentations on policies, show real examples of attacks and their consequences. Phishing simulations can be an effective educational tool - nothing teaches quite like first-hand experience.

It is also important for security to be easy. If security procedures are too complicated or burdensome, employees will look for ways to bypass them. Striking a balance between security and usability is key.

Collaborating with the ecosystem - security as a shared responsibility

SAP BTP security cannot exist in isolation. It requires collaboration across the entire ecosystem - from SAP as the platform provider, through technology partners such as SecurityBridge, to other suppliers and customers.

Sharing threat intelligence is essential. When one organisation detects a new type of attack, that knowledge should be shared with the wider community. Threat intelligence sharing is becoming increasingly important in the fight against cybercrime.

Collaboration with suppliers and business partners requires clear agreements on security. Who is responsible for what? What are the security standards? How will communication work in the event of an incident? These matters must be established before entering into a partnership.

Metrics and KPIs - how to measure security effectiveness

“You cannot manage what you do not measure” - this old management truth applies to security as well. But which metrics really matter?

Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) and Mean Time to Respond (MTTR) are key indicators showing how quickly we detect and respond to threats. Reducing these times should be a constant goal.

The percentage of systems with up-to-date patches shows the effectiveness of vulnerability management. In an ideal world this would be 100%, but in practice it is important to track the trend and identify systems that consistently lag behind.

The number of security incidents and their severity helps to understand whether the situation is improving or worsening. But be careful - a decrease in the number of detected incidents is not necessarily good news. It may mean we have simply stopped detecting them.

The rate of compliance with security policies shows whether the organisation actually adheres to established rules. Regular audits and reviews are key to maintaining a high level of compliance.

Conclusions and recommendations - the road to secure SAP BTP

Securing SAP BTP is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires long-term commitment, constant vigilance and readiness to adapt in the face of evolving threats. But the prize - a secure, efficient platform supporting your organisation’s digital transformation - is worth the effort.

Key recommendations for boards:

• Treat security as a strategic priority. This is not a technical matter to delegate, but a fundamental element of business strategy.

• Invest in people and technology. Technology alone is not enough - you need qualified specialists and the right tools.

• Choose proven partners. Working with experts such as SNOK, and using proven platforms such as SecurityBridge, significantly reduces risk and accelerates progress towards security maturity.

• Build a security culture. Every employee should feel responsible for the organisation’s security.

• Prepare for the worst. Have an incident response plan and test it regularly.

• Measure and improve. Establish metrics, track progress, and continuously refine your security processes.

SAP BTP security is not a destination, but a journey. In a world where threats evolve every day, organisations must be in constant motion, adapting and refining their defences. But with the right tools, partners and approach, this journey can be not only secure, but also commercially valuable.

Digital transformation carries enormous opportunities, but also significant risks. Organisations that can effectively secure their SAP BTP environments gain not only protection against threats, but also a competitive advantage. In an era where data is the most valuable asset, and business continuity depends on IT systems, security becomes the foundation of success.

The combination of SecurityBridge’s technological excellence with SNOK’s local knowledge and experience creates a unique solution for the Polish market. This is not an imported off-the-shelf product, but a thoughtful adaptation of global best practices to local realities. It is the difference between buying a ready-made suit and having one tailored to measure - both may look similar, but only one truly fits.

Looking ahead, one thing is certain - the importance of SAP BTP security will only grow. Organisations that invest in comprehensive protection now are building the foundation for future success. Those that delay risk not only security incidents, but also the loss of their competitive position.

The time to act is now. Every day of delay is a day when your data, processes and reputation are exposed to risk. But with the right approach, the right tools and proven partners, you can turn security from a cost into an investment, from a risk into an advantage, from a challenge into an opportunity.

A secure future for your SAP BTP begins with the decisions made today. The question is not whether to secure your environment, but how to do so most effectively. The answer lies in combining the best technology with local expertise, a strategic approach with practical action, vision with execution. This is precisely what the collaboration between SNOK and SecurityBridge offers - a complete solution for Polish enterprises committed to a secure digital transformation.