As the world shifts towards a digital-first approach, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) has become increasingly important in the realm of emerging technology.
Modern enterprises are turning to trusted SaaS providers for mission-critical workflows, with predictions that by 2025, 30% of organisations will rely solely on SaaS applications.
As the reliance on SaaS increases, so does the potential for cyber threats. In recent times, there has been a sharp uptick in the number of successful attacks against software companies.
The efficiency and flexibility of SaaS solutions, both technologically and financially, has led to increasing adoption of cloud-based technology. While this has many benefits, it can also present challenges for IT teams trying to keep up with the rapid pace of change.
It is crucial for software companies to be aware of potential cyber threats and take the necessary steps to protect their data and systems. With the right cyber security measures in place, SaaS providers can continue to help modern enterprises thrive in the digital age.
Types of cybersecurity threats
1. Phishing attacks
Phishing attacks are one of the most effective and damaging cyber threats, targeting individuals and businesses to steal sensitive information such as login credentials, financial details, and corporate data. These scams have been around for years but have become increasingly popular among hackers due to their low cost and high success rate. The Egress Email Security Risk Report 2024 highlights the growing sophistication of phishing tactics, identifying malicious URLs, compromised third-party accounts, and malware or ransomware as the most common attack methods. Account takeover attacks affected 58% of organisations, with 79% originating from phishing emails and 83% successfully bypassing multi-factor authentication (MFA). Given their role in delivering more invasive threats like ransomware, phishing scams pose a serious risk to businesses.
It's important to make sure your staff are well-informed and properly trained on phishing, social engineering, and the basics of cyber security. Rather than assuming phishing attacks can always be prevented, it’s better to plan for the possibility that someone will fall for one. That way, you can focus on minimising the damage if it happens.
2. Cloud misconfigurations
Cloud misconfigurations continue to be a top cybersecurity threat in 2025, leaving businesses vulnerable to data breaches, service disruptions, and unauthorised access. Common issues include weak identity and access controls, insecure APIs, outdated systems, and poor visibility over cloud environments. Cybercriminals increasingly rely on automated scanning tools to detect and exploit these gaps, often gaining entry with minimal effort. Once inside, they can steal sensitive data, disrupt operations, or escalate privileges to take full control of critical systems.
To mitigate these risks, businesses must take a proactive approach—conducting regular security audits, enforcing strict access controls, securing APIs, continuously monitoring cloud environments, and ensuring all systems are patched and correctly configured. Without these defences, even a minor misconfiguration can lead to serious consequences.
3. Ransomware attacks
Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) is a model where cybercriminals sell or lease ransomware tools to others, lowering the barrier to launching attacks. This growing threat makes it easier for inexperienced hackers to deploy sophisticated ransomware campaigns, putting businesses at even greater risk.
To stay ahead, businesses need to strengthen security awareness, improve data backup and recovery strategies, and prioritise vulnerability management. Automated penetration testing or continuous vulnerability scanning is essential, as many attacks now operate autonomously, making manual testing insufficient. A successful ransomware attack can cripple operations, drain finances, and damage a company’s reputation, so proactive defence is crucial.
With the rise of zero-day exploits, businesses must take a more comprehensive approach to security. This means continuously assessing security posture and enforcing strict preventative controls like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and tight access restrictions. While many apps now offer built-in MFA, it’s vital to ensure security standards are met across all access points to minimise risk.
4. Third party-risk
Third-party breaches became a major issue in 2024, affecting both well-known and lesser-known brands. These attacks exploit security gaps in external vendors, suppliers, or service providers, putting their partners at risk. With outsourcing and digital integrations creating more potential entry points for attackers, managing third-party risks will be a top priority for businesses in 2025.
Failing to address these risks can lead to outages, financial losses, data inaccuracies, and reputational damage. Even if a breach happens outside your business, the consequences can still be severe. Monitoring third-party vendor leaks and conducting security audits before onboarding new partners is essential to safeguarding sensitive data. Recent regulations, such as the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), make this a compliance requirement as well as a best practice.
5. AI cyberattacks
AI-powered cyber threats refer to the use of artificial intelligence by cybercriminals to enhance the effectiveness of their attacks. This can include using AI to scan for vulnerabilities, automate attacks, or create more convincing phishing and social engineering schemes. Generative AI (GenAI) solutions, which can produce text, images, or other content, also pose a risk as they could inadvertently expose sensitive company and customer data.
In 2025, we can expect these threats to become more sophisticated as hackers continue to use AI to develop increasingly complex methods for breaching security. However, while AI is making cyberattacks more advanced, cybersecurity solutions are also evolving to counter these threats. Businesses will need to implement strict AI policies and educate employees to use AI securely while adopting the latest cybersecurity tools to stay protected.
As reliance on SaaS solutions grows, so does the risk of cyber threats. SaaS providers must be vigilant against threats. By implementing strong security measures and educating employees, they can protect their data and systems while supporting modern businesses.
At OnSecurity, we offer comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, including our Scan software which provides continuous external vulnerability scanning and management of your Internet-facing assets to keep your organisation safe. Contact us today to find out more.
