Key points

• Data exfiltration in SaaS involves the unauthorised transfer of sensitive information stored in applications like Google Drive and Slack.
• Cybersecurity threats can originate from both employees (insider threats) and external attackers targeting your SaaS environments.
• The consequences of data exfiltration from SaaS apps can severely impact your organisation's reputation, finances, and regulatory compliance.
• Metomic offers specialised data security solutions to help prevent data exfiltration from SaaS applications like Google Drive and Slack, safeguarding your critical cloud data.

As businesses increasingly rely on SaaS applications like Google Drive for document storage and collaboration, and Slack for communication, robust data security measures are essential to protect against data exfiltration from these platforms.

With cyber threats targeting cloud environments on the rise, it's crucial to understand how data within your SaaS applications can be compromised and what steps you can take to protect it.

Safeguarding sensitive data in platforms like Google Drive and Slack not only maintains your organisation's reputation but also ensures compliance with regulations and builds trust with clients by protecting their valuable information stored in these tools.

What is Data Exfiltration in the Context of SaaS like Google Drive and Slack?

Data exfiltration, in the realm of SaaS applications like Google Drive and Slack, is essentially the unauthorised transfer of sensitive information stored or shared within these platforms to an outside party.

Imagine someone secretly copying confidential documents from your company's Google Drive or extracting private conversations from Slack without permission. This can happen through insider threats – employees misusing their access – or attacks from cybercriminals targeting vulnerabilities in your SaaS setup.

The implications for cybersecurity in a SaaS environment are significant. Losing control of data stored in Google Drive or Slack can lead to substantial financial losses, damage your reputation, and erode customer trust. This makes understanding and mitigating the risks of data exfiltration from SaaS applications a top priority for organisations today.

Given the increasing reliance on SaaS, it's crucial to recognise that a significant portion of cyber incidents now involve cloud environments. Understanding how data can be exfiltrated from platforms like Google Drive and Slack is the first step in effective prevention.

Who is Usually Responsible for SaaS Data Exfiltration?

When it comes to data exfiltration incidents, responsibility can often lie with both insiders and outsiders. Insiders, like employees or contractors, might misuse their access to sensitive information, whether intentionally or accidentally. In fact, insider threats account for around 60% of data breaches, making them a significant concern for organisations.

Common profiles of individuals involved in these breaches can vary widely. For instance, a disgruntled employee might seek revenge by leaking confidential Google Drive documents, or departing employees taking proprietary information shared via Slack

Alternatively, a well-meaning team member could inadvertently share data due to a lack of awareness about security protocols. This highlights the need for comprehensive training and clear communication around data security.

On the flip side, outsiders typically include cybercriminals or hackers looking to exploit vulnerabilities in a company’s systems. They might use techniques like phishing or malware to gain access and steal data from SaaS applications.

How Can SaaS Data Exfiltration Happen?

Data exfiltration from SaaS applications like Google Drive and Slack can occur through various methods, and it's vital for organisations to be vigilant. Some common methods include:

• Compromised Accounts: Attackers can gain access to user accounts through phishing or credential stuffing and then download files from Google Drive or export Slack conversations.
• Malicious Third-Party Apps: Granting access to untrusted third-party apps can give them access to data within Google Drive or Slack.
• Misconfigured Sharing Settings: Overly permissive sharing settings in Google Drive can accidentally expose documents to the public. Similarly, external sharing in Slack, if not managed correctly, can lead to data leaks.
• Insider Threats: Employees with access can intentionally or unintentionally share sensitive Google Drive files externally or leak information from Slack channels.
• Data Syncing to Personal Devices: Unauthorised syncing of Google Drive files to personal devices can create unsecured copies of sensitive data.

Recognising the warning signs early is crucial. For SaaS applications like Google Drive and Slack, these signs might include:

• Unusual File Sharing Activity: Employees reporting documents in Google Drive being shared with unknown individuals or external domains.
• Unexpected Access to Slack Channels: Discovery of external users in private Slack channels without proper authorisation.
• Suspicious Login Attempts: Repeated failed login attempts to Google accounts or Slack workspaces.
• Large Downloads from Google Drive: Unexplained large downloads of files from Google Drive by specific users.
• Unauthorised App Installations: Employees installing third-party apps with excessive permissions in Google Workspace or Slack.

It's important to be aware that it can take a significant amount of time to detect and contain a data breach, highlighting the need for proactive monitoring and swift response strategies within your SaaS environment.

What are the Risks and Consequences?

Data exfiltration from SaaS applications like Google Drive and Slack carries significant risks and consequences for organisations:

1. Financial loss

The average cost of a data breach is a staggering $4.88 million. This figure encompasses not just the direct costs associated with the breach, such as remediation and technical investigations, but also indirect costs like lost revenue and increased insurance premiums.

2. Reputational Damage

When sensitive data is compromised, customer trust can plummet. Clients may think twice about partnering with an organisation that has experienced a breach, which can lead to long-term financial implications.

Companies often find themselves spending considerable resources on public relations efforts to repair their image — And it may not even work, as 66% of consumers say they wouldn’t trust a company following a data breach.

3. Legal Implications

Data breaches can lead to hefty fines and legal action, particularly if an organisation is found to be non-compliant with data protection regulations.

This is especially relevant in regions with strict laws, such as Europe’s GDPR, which imposes substantial penalties for mishandling personal data.

What are the Different Types of Data Exfiltration?

Data exfiltration can happen in all sorts of ways, so it’s important to know what to watch out for.

Let’s take a look at some common methods, both physical and digital.

Physical methods

1. Removable media: USB drives and external hard drives are convenient but risky. An insider could easily copy sensitive data onto one and walk out with it.
2. Physical theft: Sometimes, it’s as simple as someone snatching a laptop or device that holds critical information. Just leaving your tech unattended can open the door to theft.

Digital methods

1. Malware: This sneaky software can slip into your network and quietly steal data, often without anyone noticing.
2. Phishing attacks: Those dodgy emails that look trustworthy? They’re designed to trick employees into giving away sensitive information. One click can open the door to the attackers. .
3. Network breaches: Cybercriminals love exploiting weak spots in networks—like simple passwords or outdated software—to gain access and grab what they can.
4. Cloud storage exploitation: With many businesses relying on cloud services, unsecured accounts are a tempting target for attackers.
5. Insider threats: A significant risk comes from within. Departing employees downloading data, or simply busy employees leaving files unsecured. For instance, in the US, 43.75% of insider threat incidents involve forwarding emails to personal accounts, while 10.71% involve downloading sensitive data.

Alarmingly, data exfiltration attacks surged by 39% in 2023, with 64% of organisations reporting this increase. Being aware of these methods helps organisations protect their sensitive information. The more you know, the better you can guard against these threats.

How Can Organisations Prevent Data Exfiltration from SaaS Apps Like Google Drive and Slack?

Preventing data exfiltration from SaaS applications requires a proactive and multi-layered approach.

Here are some key steps organisations can take:

• Implement Granular Access Controls: Ensure users only have access to the Google Drive files and Slack channels they need for their roles. Utilise role-based access controls and least privilege principles.
• Monitor User Activity within SaaS Apps: Implement tools to monitor user actions within Google Drive and Slack, tracking file sharing, downloads, and external communication. Identify unusual behaviour that could indicate a potential exfiltration attempt.
• Control External Sharing: Implement strict policies regarding external sharing in Google Drive and Slack. Limit who can share externally and require approval for sharing sensitive information.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for SaaS: Invest in modern DLP solutions, like Metomic, specifically designed for SaaS applications like Google Drive and Slack. These tools can identify and prevent the sharing of sensitive data based on predefined rules.
• Educate and Train Employees: Conduct regular training on data security best practices within Google Drive and Slack, including how to identify phishing attempts and the risks of unauthorised sharing.
• Secure Third-Party Apps: Carefully vet and manage the third-party applications connected to your Google Workspace and Slack environments. Limit permissions and revoke access for unnecessary apps.
• Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce MFA for all user accounts accessing Google Drive and Slack to reduce the risk of account takeover.
• Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular audits of your SaaS security settings and user permissions to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

By implementing these strategies, organisations can significantly reduce the risk of data exfiltration from their critical SaaS applications like Google Drive and Slack, protecting their sensitive data and maintaining a strong security posture.

🔒Metomic in Action: Clean Up and Secure Your Google Drive in 15 Minutes

You already have sensitive data in Google Drive, but do you know who has access to it? Security tools often focus on preventing future risks, but what about the data that is already exposed?

In our webinar, we will walk through how you can:

• Identify and classify sensitive data across your entire Google Drive
• Fix access risks and remove unnecessary exposure in a few clicks
• Apply retention policies to keep data under control without disrupting workflows

Instead of hoping for the best, take practical steps to reduce the risk of data breaches and keep your SaaS environment secure from day one.