Organizations today increasingly rely on the cloud and Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms to operate efficiently. However, this reliance introduces distinct security challenges across interconnected environments. SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) focuses on securing complex SaaS applications, while Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) addresses core configuration risks in diverse IaaS and PaaS assets, making both essential yet complementary solutions for modern cloud security.
This guide breaks down the differences, overlaps, and complementary roles of CSPM and SSPM to help security teams determine how to best protect their environments.
What is Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)?
CSPM focuses on identifying and remediating risks within Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) environments, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. These solutions aim to:
Detect misconfigurations in cloud infrastructure
Enforce compliance with frameworks like SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA
Provide visibility into cloud resources, including virtual machines, databases, and storage buckets
Monitor permissions and access to ensure least-privilege principles are upheld
Example Use Case
A CSPM solution might identify open S3 buckets in AWS or overprivileged IAM roles in Google Cloud and guide security teams to remediate these issues.
For more detail on primary CSPM functions and advantages, visit our What is CSPM? page.
What is SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM)?
SSPM addresses security risks in SaaS applications, which often fall outside the scope of traditional cloud tools. SSPM solutions are tailored to:
Manage user permissions and detect overprivileged accounts
Identify risky third-party SaaS-to-SaaS integrations
Monitor configuration settings for SaaS applications like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Salesforce
Address inactive user accounts and unused external data shares
Example Use Case
An SSPM solution could highlight inactive Google Workspace accounts that retain administrative privileges or detect misconfigurations in Salesforce security settings related to external data sharing.
For more detail on primary SSPM functions and advantages, visit our What is SSPM? Page.
Key Differences Between CSPM and SSPM
While both CSPM and SSPM aim to reduce security risks, they operate in different contexts:
When to Use CSPM vs. SSPM
Organizations should consider their specific needs and risk profiles when choosing between CSPM and SSPM or integrating both into their security stack:
Use CSPM When:
- You need to monitor and secure cloud infrastructure configurations
- Compliance with IaaS-specific industry standards is a priority
- Broad visibility into multi-cloud environments is critical for your strategy
Use SSPM When:
- You need deep visibility into sanctioned SaaS applications
- SaaS Misconfiguration management and permission hygiene are top concerns
- SaaS-to-SaaS integration risks pose significant challenges
Why CSPM and SSPM Are Complementary
Security leaders often view CSPM and SSPM as separate solutions, but they are highly complementary. Together, they provide a unified approach to addressing modern cloud and SaaS security challenges. Here’s why:
- Comprehensive Coverage: CSPM secures the underlying cloud infrastructure, while SSPM ensures the SaaS layer is equally protected.
- Interconnected Risks: SaaS applications often run on cloud infrastructure, meaning a vulnerability in one layer can impact the other. For example, a misconfigured IAM role in AWS could provide indirect access to sensitive data in a connected SaaS app. Additionally, there have been real-world examples of how attackers have exploited SaaS misconfigurations to gain access to IaaS environments. Real-world incidents highlight this connection. Attackers from UNC3944 exploited misconfigurations in an Okta SSO environment to breach both SaaS and IaaS layers. Similarly, past incidents at Heroku and Travis-CI exposed GitHub OAuth tokens, enabling access to private repositories and AWS API keys, leading to data theft and compromised S3 storage.
- Operational Efficiency: Using both solutions reduces blind spots and simplifies risk management across the technology stack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can CSPM and SSPM replace each other?
No. CSPM and SSPM address different layers of the cloud stack and are designed to work together to provide comprehensive security coverage.
What’s an example of a risk only SSPM can address?
SSPM can detect risky third-party integrations within SaaS apps, such as unauthorized OAuth connections to Google Workspace or Slack, which CSPM solutions cannot monitor.
Do CSPM solutions provide visibility into SaaS applications?
Not fully. While CSPM tools may offer some insights into connected SaaS environments, they lack the granular configuration monitoring and remediation capabilities of SSPM.
Are there overlaps between CSPM and SSPM?
Some overlap exists in areas like access management, but each solution specializes in addressing distinct risks. CSPM focuses on infrastructure, while SSPM focuses on SaaS apps.
What Is the Difference Between CSPM and SIEM?
CSPM focuses on managing configuration risks in cloud infrastructure, ensuring compliance and secure setups. SIEM (Security Information and Event Management), in contrast, collects and analyzes security event logs from across an organization's IT environment to detect threats and support incident response. Often CSPM tools integrate with SIEM tools.
A Unified Approach to Cloud and SaaS Security
CSPMs and SSPMs serve distinct but complementary roles in cloud and SaaS security. By leveraging the strengths of both tools, organizations can ensure robust protection across their entire digital ecosystem. SSPM extends the value of CSPM by addressing SaaS-specific configuration and permission risks, enabling security teams to achieve comprehensive risk reduction in both cloud and SaaS environments.
Why Choose Valence for SaaS Security Posture Management?
Valence Security’s SaaS security platform provides extensive SSPM capabilities unparalleled visibility and control over your SaaS environment, empowering organizations to:
- Continuously monitor SaaS application configurations for risks and misconfigurations
- Identify and remediate overprivileged accounts and risky third-party integrations
- Enforce security policies and permissions across complex SaaS ecosystems
In addition to robust SSPM capabilities, Valence’s SaaS Risk Remediation capabilities automate the process of addressing security risks, helping organizations reduce manual efforts and mitigate potential threats effectively.
Take the Next Step:
- Explore our SSPM Checklist to evaluate your organization’s readiness
- Request a Demo to see how Valence can help secure your SaaS applications today
