Knock, knock! What if a hacker has already broken in when your IT auditor is at the door?

SAST Blog: What if a hacker has already broken in when your IT auditor is at the door? The procedure is well-known at SMEs and large companies: Every year, the auditor comes around for the IT audit, which is carried out as part of the annual overall review. The general objective is to ensure the security and integrity of the audited system (usually the SAP system used for accounting) and to identify potential risks. A management letter then describes follow-up measures to mitigate these risks in future. But does this approach still make sense today?

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Security dashboards – Just a buzzword or a true help with the daily security routine?

Expert talk of IT-Onlinemagazin with SASTCompanies that use SAP software, as well as the German-speaking SAP User Group (DSAG), are demanding security dashboards to provide for greater transparency and indicate necessary activities. The most critical risks, however, are those that arise as a combination of other events, which are not critical in and of themselves. After all, even the best dashboards aren’t able to display this kind of unidentified security incident.

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Don’t lose track of the big picture – a security dashboard provides transparency for all your SAP systems

SAST Blog: Don’t lose track of the big picture – a security dashboard provides transparency for all your SAP systemsThe lack of SAP security management dashboards is discussed often by the Security & Vulnerability Working Group at DSAG, the German-speaking SAP User Group. The Working Group sees such tools an essential prerequisite for developing and monitoring the improved security concepts that are urgently needed. Yet a majority of companies has yet to implement the dashboard technology although now would be a particularly good time to implement this efficient tool for mitigating attacks in light of the increasing threat level posed by malware and ransomware.

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Monitoring SAP system settings centrally – how LINDE keeps an eye on all its SAP systems simultaneously

SAST Blog: Monitoring SAP system settings centrally – how LINDE keeps an eye on all its SAP systems simultaneouslyIncorrect parameter settings in the SAP system, operating system, or database often result in serious security deficiencies. Numerous companies using a central auditing policy developed as a document are up against the same challenges. Typically, parameter values are compared manually with the target requirements, which of course is time consuming. This a lot of effort even just for one single system. As you might imagine, making the comparisons on system-landscape level is that much more complicated. By centralizing monitoring with an automated solution, you can use resources more efficiently while boosting your IT security.

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Hacker attack on Düsseldorf University Hospital – cyber criminals got in through the VPN interface

SAST Blog: Hacker attack on Düsseldorf University Hospital – cyber criminals got in through the VPN interfaceIn September 2020, the attack made headlines:

  • Hackers responsible for IT disruption at Düsseldorf University Hospital.
  • Hackers under investigation: Woman dead after attack on University Hospital.
  • Hacker attack on Düsseldorf University Hospital: Investigation into involuntary homicide opened.

A hacker attack can be fatal. Data, goods and assets aren’t the only things to consider: Human lives are at stake where public spaces, in particular public health, is concerned.

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SAP home goes rogue – preventable attack vectors through the SAP GUI

SAST Blog: SAP Home Goes Rogue – Preventable Attack Vectors Through the SAP GUIIn most cases, enterprise networks are infected as a result of human error. Employees click on spoofed links, accidentally reveal their passwords to third parties, or open a file that contains unexpected malware. In attack vectors involving the SAP GUI, employees are often not to blame, because an incorrectly configured SAP system is enough to enable damage to the IT landscape.

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