SAP Security in 2025 and Beyond: A Shifting Threat Landscape
The cybersecurity landscape surrounding SAP systems is undergoing a significant transformation. Recent research from SAPinsider reveals a growing anxiety among SAP users, not necessarily about the threats they expected, but about emerging risks like data exfiltration and the complexities of system integration. This isn’t a future problem; it’s happening now, and the trends point to an even more challenging environment ahead.
The Rise of Data Exfiltration: Why SAP is a Prime Target
For the first time in three years, data exfiltration has topped the list of cybersecurity threats to SAP systems, according to the SAPinsider report. This shift isn’t accidental. Organizations are increasingly centralizing data to fuel AI and machine learning initiatives, and platforms like SAP Business Data Cloud are pooling information from diverse sources. This creates a larger, more valuable target for attackers. Consider the recent Mitsubishi HC Capital breach, where sensitive data was stolen and leaked – a stark reminder of the potential consequences.
Did you know? Over 71% of organizations surveyed consider their SAP systems mission-critical and hold highly confidential data, making them a magnet for threat actors.
Integration Risks: The Weakest Link in the Chain
The increasing interconnectedness of SAP systems with other applications – a hallmark of hybrid and multi-cloud strategies – is creating new vulnerabilities. Connections to other systems jumped to the third-highest ranked threat in 2025, up from tenth place the previous year. This highlights the risk of lateral movement, where attackers gain access through a less secure system and then move into the SAP environment. A poorly secured API, for example, could provide a backdoor into critical business data.
This trend mirrors broader concerns about supply chain attacks. If a third-party vendor connected to your SAP system is compromised, your organization is at risk. The recent CISA alert regarding Progress Software’s SFTP appliance demonstrates the potential impact of vulnerabilities in connected systems.
The Patching Paradox: A Persistent Problem
Despite years of warnings, patching remains a significant challenge. Difficulty scheduling downtime and validating patch application are the primary roadblocks. This isn’t unique to SAP; it’s a common issue across many on-premises and hosted ERP environments. However, the consequences are particularly severe in SAP due to the sensitive nature of the data it holds.
Pro Tip: Implement a risk-based patching strategy. Prioritize security notes based on the severity of the vulnerability and the potential impact on your business. Automate patch testing whenever possible.
Maturity Matters: The Growing Divide
SAPinsider’s research identifies three levels of cybersecurity maturity: proactive/well-funded, average, and lagging. Mature organizations are focused on advanced threats like supply chain attacks and ransomware, while less mature organizations are still struggling with basic security hygiene – unpatched systems, weak access controls, and a lack of collaboration between SAP and security teams. This maturity gap directly correlates with incident rates. Organizations with weaker security postures are significantly more likely to experience cyberattacks.
Strategic Priorities: Data Protection, Uptime, and Ransomware Resilience
The top three drivers of SAP cybersecurity strategy are clear: protecting sensitive data, preventing ransomware attacks, and maintaining system uptime. These priorities reflect the realities of SAP transformation, particularly the move to cloud platforms like RISE with SAP S/4HANA Cloud. While the cloud offers scalability and flexibility, it also increases the potential blast radius of a successful attack.
However, preparedness is uneven. Less than half of respondents have a well-documented and tested SAP-specific incident response plan. Furthermore, while backups are common, real-time application failovers are less prevalent, leaving organizations vulnerable to prolonged downtime.
Investment Trends: Focusing on Native Security and Automation
Despite economic pressures, investment in SAP security is continuing, albeit with a sharper focus. SAP native security tools (Identity Management, Single Sign-On, GRC), audit and monitoring solutions, patch and vulnerability management, and data protection controls are the dominant investment themes. Cloud and hybrid security, SAP security skills, and managed services are also gaining traction, particularly among more mature organizations.
However, budget constraints are forcing some organizations to postpone projects or seek cheaper alternatives. This could lead to a compromise in security posture if not carefully managed.
The RISE with SAP Security Challenge
The adoption of RISE with SAP introduces a shared security model, which requires a different approach to security. Many organizations admit they lack a deep understanding of this model and are concerned about securing sensitive data access, SAP BTP security, and protecting both legacy and new RISE assets during the transition.
FAQ: Common Questions About SAP Security
- What is the biggest cybersecurity threat to SAP systems? Data exfiltration is currently ranked as the top threat.
- Why is patching so difficult? Downtime constraints and difficulties validating patch application are the main challenges.
- How can I improve my SAP security maturity? Focus on risk-based patching, invest in native security tools, and develop a SAP-specific incident response plan.
- What is the shared security model in RISE with SAP? It’s a model where security responsibilities are shared between SAP and the customer. Understanding this division of responsibility is crucial.
The future of SAP security demands a proactive, risk-based approach. Organizations must prioritize data protection, address integration risks, and overcome the patching paradox. Investing in the right tools, skills, and processes is essential to navigate the evolving threat landscape and protect critical business assets.
Want to learn more? Download the full SAPinsider report for detailed benchmarking data and actionable insights. Share your biggest SAP security challenges in the comments below!
