SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) platforms are common solutions for securing SaaS applications and ensuring compliance in today’s cloud-first world. SSPM tools provide a centralized view of integrated SaaS applications, enabling security teams to identify and fix misconfigurations, enforce security policies, and manage access controls. By continuously monitoring security settings, SSPMs help maintain a consistent security baseline across an organization’s SaaS environment.

It’s no surprise that SSPM platforms are highly regarded for their user-friendly interfaces and the actionable insights they provide. Many organizations adopt SSPMs to simplify SaaS management and to ensure compliance in a rapidly evolving application landscape. However, as SaaS adoption expands, SSPMs alone may not provide the comprehensive coverage organizations need.

SSPM Limitations

While SSPMs excel at managing the security posture of known SaaS applications, they have inherent limitations that organizations must address.

One notable challenge is the restricted scope of SaaS applications covered by SSPM tools. The 2025 SaaS Security Risks Report reveals that the average enterprise uses over 800 SaaS applications, many of them niche software with smaller user bases. However, most SSPMs focus on specific SaaS applications, typically those vetted through traditional procurement processes, such as Salesforce, Slack, Google Workspace, or Office365, and may only support a subset of other applications in use. This leaves the smaller or specialized tools, such as Canva, Grammarly, or ChatGPT, outside the scope of SSPM monitoring—creating gaps in visibility and control.

Another consideration is how the platforms identify and manage shadow SaaS. In general, most SSPMs don’t have discovery capabilities, and those that do, aren’t as robust as Grip’s. Why does this matter? Employees often adopt new SaaS tools independently, bypassing IT and security oversight. These shadow SaaS applications, while convenient, introduce significant risks, including unauthorized access to sensitive data, unvetted third-party integrations, and non-compliance with security standards. If a SaaS application an SSPM monitors is connected to a shadow SaaS application, the SSPM may detect it, but in general, SSPMs are not designed to uncover or address unauthorized tools, leaving an organization exposed to unmanaged risks. From the Frost & Sullivan SaaS Security Posture Management Report 2024:

“SSPM solutions have helped organizations map the relationship between the SaaS applications in their environment. However, there are still challenges when identifying shadow IT and unsanctioned apps. These often pose hidden risks because security teams cannot implement relevant security policies and controls that stand outside of their organization’s SaaS ecosystem. This highlights the growing need for a greater focus on discovering shadow IT and unsanctioned apps.”

The Value of Grip

Grip enhances SaaS security by addressing the blind spots SSPM platforms can’t reach. By uncovering all SaaS applications in use—both managed apps and shadow SaaS—and focusing on SaaS identity risks, Grip extends the value of SSPMs to deliver comprehensive SaaS security coverage.

The extended value that Grip delivers:

Shadow SaaS discovery: Grip identifies all SaaS applications within an organization, including those adopted outside traditional procurement processes and those not connected to your SSPM.

SaaS and identity risk prioritization: Grip evaluates how SaaS is used and accessed, SaaS-to-SaaS integrations, plus risky and over-permissioned SaaS, highlighting your most critical vulnerabilities.

Risk mitigation: Grip guides security teams to mitigate the risks it discovers. For example, Grip recommends implementing SSO or MFA for risky, unprotected apps and revoking access to apps that are reviewed and tagged as unsanctioned.

Simplified SaaS security: Grip operates without requiring agents, proxies, or extensive API integrations, making deployment seamless and reducing operational overhead.

Grip complements an SSPM platform’s functionality. By combining the strengths of both tools, organizations gain a clearer and more actionable view of their entire SaaS ecosystem.

How SSPMs and Grip Compare

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Securing SaaS More Effectively

SaaS adoption is rapidly evolving, and the complexity of securing digital environments continues to grow. Cyber threats targeting SaaS applications are increasing in sophistication, exploiting gaps in visibility, configuration, and identity security. Combining Grip with an SSPM platform amplifies your defense strategy, enabling comprehensive SaaS risk management that goes beyond traditional boundaries.

A fully-secured SaaS environment includes:

– Shadow SaaS visibility, evaluation, and actionability, ensuring no application is overlooked.

– Configuration insights with data on SaaS usage and access controls, for end-to-end SaaS protection.

– Supporting employee-led SaaS without fear of the security repercussions.

Grip enhances an SSPM, empowering organizations to see, secure, and simplify their entire SaaS ecosystem.

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Additional Resources

FAQs About SSPM Platforms

Strengthening SaaS Security Posture Management by Tackling Identity Risks Head On

2025 SaaS Security Risks Report

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