SAP or Systems, Applications, Products in Data Processing is an application that is being used in more and more businesses all over the world. It can used to create orders, build product and customer databases, handle employee information such as wages, holiday entitlements and sickness absence and much more.  In fact SAP is the all round business solution that is the smart choice for any thriving business. SAP is created for each business that requires it and as a result all systems are different, but all have one thing in



common, they all use .

Why Use SAP Security?

SAP security is purpose built for each and every client, but it is made with one thing in mind, and that is to provide the most up to date, secure SAP system possible. Today security threats for businesses have never been greater. From the risk of attack from viruses and hackers to fraud and theft all businesses need to implement SAP security to protect themselves.

Once a SAP system has been implemented in a business, that business can then request a SAP security review. The SAP security review will be carried out by an individual or team of . The SAP security review will look at all threats both real and potential and then report these back to the business. These found SAP security

threats can be a shock to a business who had previously thought that their SAP security was fine. Once these threats have been determined the next steps is to come up with SAP solutions to the SAP security threats. This will also be done by SAP security experts. There are three main ways in which these SAP security threats can be addressed ?

1.    People ? these are the employees of the business who use SAP technologies. If a SAP security threat is found that is due to the employees not following certain SAP security procedures then the SAP experts will put together an easy to follow training program which will increase staff awareness in SAP security and help to further protect the systems. The SAP security threat posed by staff simply not adhering to SAP security measures by sharing passwords and leaving computers unlocked when not at their desks is astounding. And sometimes a SAP security review can highlight this in such a way that staff can clearly see what implications their lax SAP security and start to improve their working methods. Staff sometimes unwittingly put systems at risk from not being as SAP security aware as they could be, and using SAP training for your staff can bring about a change in SAP security measures.

2.    Processes ? this is of key importance in order to analyise business processes and highlight any SAP security threats which are found. This kind of risk assessment is crucial in determining future risks and ensuring compliance with SAP security measures. The SAP security consulting and support services can help to create methods that ensure that all business processes and systems are secure and pose no risk to SAP security.

3.    Technology ? every single SAP systems are created and designed with high levels of SAP security in mind. The SAP NetWeaver platform is used which helps to create a highly secure system that has a strong foundation. As SAP is designed using stringent security standards you can be assured that the system you are using has been built with SAP security at it's base. This makes for a more secure system that has increased SAP security as standard.

Added Security

It is also worth noting that every SAP security expert and developer is trained to a high standard in security issues. And when testing SAP systems for any security risks you can be assured that risks will be identified and then solutions for them will be presented. Such risks could take the form of the potential risk from hackers or identity theft from systems both of which can be identified and solved using SAP security solutions. Whatever security risks are found there will be a solution for it, or one that can be developed for your business.

If SAP security is a concern for your business you need to have a SAP security review undertaken as soon as possible. That way you can find out if your SAP system has any security risks. And if there are found the SAP security experts can work with your business to develop new methods and systems to minimize SAP security risks. Anyone in business who uses SAP really should get a SAP security review performed. At the best the SAP experts will find little wrong with your SAP security, at worst they will uncover a SAP security risk. Either way the SAP security of your business should be reviewed to make sure that you are

running SAP systems which are secure and safe.

Author Bio: Cathy Mc Leod is a senior with SU53 Solutions specialising in SAP Security and (Governance Risk and Compliance).