Is Your Salesforce Data Really Safe? Understanding Security Threats

Do you feel confident that your Salesforce data is safe from cyber threats? It's important to stay up-to-date on the latest risks that your organization may face, especially with the increasing frequency and complexity of security breaches. Let's take a look at some of the biggest security threats that Salesforce users encounter today and suggest some practical measures to keep your data secure.
Pale blue sky with white clouds and the sun in the distance.

Don’t wait for a security breach to happen before taking action. By understanding the risks, you can take the necessary steps to protect one of your company’s most valuable assets – its data.

Top Salesforce Security Threats to Look Out For

Regarding the security of your Salesforce data, you can never be too careful. New threats are constantly emerging, and it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve to keep your data safe. Here are some of the latest security threats to BOLO for:

Data Breaches

It’s important to be aware of data breaches, as they pose a severe threat. If attackers gain access to your Salesforce data, they can use it for fraudulent or criminal activities. If your data is held hostage, it can bring your entire business to a halt, making it essential to have proper security measures in place. You can consider investing in a security monitoring solution that can alert you if there are any signs of a breach attempt, which will help protect against unauthorized access and keep your revenue engine running smoothly.

As we’ve outlined before, there are steps you can take to enhance the security of your Salesforce data, including initiating user access controls, having a solid backup plan, and enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Malware Attacks

Another type of attack that you need to be aware of are malware attacks. These can come in the form of malicious email attachments or links, but they can also come from websites that attackers have compromised. If you visit a website infected with malware, the attacker can gain access to your Salesforce data if you’re not careful. Be sure to keep your anti-virus software up-to-date, and avoid visiting suspicious websites.

Social Engineering Attacks

Think back to how many times you might have seen someone standing outside a building, unable to get in without their keycard. Now think about how often someone will inevitably hold the door open for this person, believing they innocently left their card at home. They’ve now given a potential unauthorized stranger access to your building’s infrastructure without even realizing it. That’s a form of social engineering, and these attacks are becoming more common. The worst part is they can be challenging to defend against

These attacks usually involve a person trying to trick someone into revealing sensitive information, such as their Salesforce login credentials, or letting them into a previously inaccessible room. They may do this by pretending to be someone else, such as a customer service representative or a company employee having a forgetful morning. The key to a successful social engineering attack lies in the psychological manipulation the perpetrator is allowed to accomplish, so make sure your employees are aware of the potential risks and train them to spot such attempts. Social engineering attacks are usually much more targeted to specific groups than broader, “wide-net” attacks. 

Phishing Attacks

While some individuals may enjoy spending their leisure time fishing for trout on a lake, there is a particular kind of “fishing” that is not pleasant at all. Phishing – sending material such as fake emails or messages to induce individuals to reveal personal information – can impact your company’s business operations. As a form of social engineering, these attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and can be very difficult to detect. If you’re not careful, you could easily click on a malicious link or attachment that could give attackers access to your Salesforce data. Be sure to train your employees to spot phishing attempts and ensure they know not to click on any links or attachments from unknown sources. When in doubt, reach out to your company’s tech team to verify whether a message is valid.

Insider Threats

As the urban legend goes, “The call is coming from inside the house.” But pop culture references aside, insider threats do pose a serious risk to your Salesforce data, especially if you have employees with access to sensitive information. Therefore, it’s essential to monitor any suspicious activity from insiders and ensure they understand the importance of keeping your Salesforce data secure. This is another instance where user access controls and operating on a least privileged data access model can ward off any potential inside threats before they start. 

Artificial Intelligence

With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), there are several potential data threats that you must guard against. AI can exacerbate risks like unauthorized data access, manipulation of data integrity, and advanced phishing attacks. These AI-driven threats are particularly concerning due to the sophisticated and adaptive nature of AI algorithms, which can make detection and prevention more challenging. You should continuously evolve your security measures to counter these AI-related threats, ensuring the protection of extensive data repositories against increasingly advanced cyber threats.

By being aware of these threats, you can take the necessary steps to protect your Salesforce data and ensure that your business remains secure in the event of a disaster.

Laptop computer with encryption lock over various types of data

Take These Steps to Wipe Out Salesforce Security Threats

To improve your Salesforce data’s security, there are a few key steps you should take:

  • Educate yourself and your team on the importance of Salesforce data security. Make sure everyone understands the risks associated with sharing sensitive information online.
  • Establish strict policies and procedures for accessing and managing data in Salesforce. Only allow authorized users to access data and limit what they can do with it.
  • Monitor activity in Salesforce closely, looking for any unusual or unauthorized activity. Use Salesforce’s built-in reporting tools to help you keep an eye on things.
  • Keep your Salesforce instance up to date with the latest security patches and updates. Any vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit will then be closed.
  • Invest in a good security solution that integrates with Salesforce, such as two-factor authentication or encryption. This will add an extra layer of protection for your data. 
  • Be wary of unknown or suspicious communication, such as emails, messages, or other activity that makes you question its validity. When in town, seek out an expert.

Keeping Your Salesforce Data Secure Is Even Easier With CapStorm

Understanding the latest security threats and how they may affect your Salesforce data is essential in ensuring your company’s data remains secure. But with the knowledge of what’s at stake, you need a Salesforce backup and data management solution that can help you implement the proper measures. With CapStorm by your side, you’ll have a solid backup and recovery partner in the event of an attack and protect your business from malicious intent. 

CapStorm means you’ll have the peace of mind that your Salesforce data will remain safe and secure no matter what. The best part? You can even try it free for 14 days.

Steven Welch

Steven Welch

Steven has over a decade of experience with content writing and design, and works to bring CapStorm's stories to a wider audience.

About CapStorm

CapStorm is the most technologically advanced Salesforce data management platform on the market. Billions of records per day flow through CapStorm software, and our solutions are used in every industry from credit cards, telecom providers, insurance agencies, global banks and energy providers.

Recent Posts

Follow Us

Become a CapStorm Insider

Become a CapStorm Insider

Subscribe to the CapStorm Forecast

Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.