Somewhere in your company, someone’s connecting a new SaaS (Software as a Service) tool right now. It might be a CRM add-on, a reporting dashboard, or that shiny automation platform the marketing team swears will “change everything.”
Here’s the problem: Once the SaaS tool is connected, it might have access to more data than anyone realizes. And with the average company now using over 100 SaaS apps, that risk compounds fast.
How do you avoid handing over the keys to your kingdom?
This checklist provides five necessary checkpoints before approving any integrations, whether you are approving tools as a security lead, an IT administrator, or a decision-maker. This checklist will help you move more quickly and safely.
Not every app deserves full access, but many ask for it anyway.
Before connecting anything new, take a closer look: Is the data they are requesting required for the tool to function? Often, app integrations come with wide-open permissions that no one questioned during setup.
Sometimes, it’s just the way the API was written. Other times, it’s the vendor playing it safe (or lazy) by grabbing everything “just in case.” Either way, it’s on you to push back.
Think about:
This is where an access management strategy really earns its keep. Map out which records the app touches, why it needs them, and whether those fields can be limited.
If a vendor cannot clearly explain why they need a particular dataset, maybe they shouldn’t have access to it in the first place.
The problem is not just what the app can access. It’s how users get in and who controls the gate.
A few non-negotiables:
Why such strict rules? Because attackers have become smarter. They exploit the fact that users often approve dubious apps for convenience. Microsoft has observed an increase in consent phishing: malicious apps that request permissions users don’t fully understand. These tokens can linger quietly in your ecosystem until they’re detected. The better approach is to:
It’s easy to get excited about what a new tool does. But before you integrate, pause and look at how it’s built and maintained.
Ask the vendor questions like:
The 2025 Verizon DBIR found that 30% of data breaches now involve a third party. That’s a huge jump, and most of those cases started with poorly vetted connections.
If you are juggling multiple vendors, a structured approach to IT vendor management makes it easier to track certifications, automate reviews, and flag potential risks before they grow legs.
Not every vendor will pass with flying colors, but those that avoid basic questions give you all the warning you need.
While integrations can enhance organizational efficiency, they can also create liability. You don’t need to be in a heavily regulated industry to assume that your customers expect you to protect their data.
So, ask early: Can this vendor meet our compliance requirements and respect our data boundaries?
Get specific:
Have logs, real ones:
Compliance isn’t just an internal checklist anymore. With COPPA and GDPR guidance emphasizing downstream data control, regulators are watching what your vendors do with the data you collect.
This is where many teams falter. You vetted the app, approved it, and connected it to your core systems, but six months later, no one is monitoring its activity.
Smart teams treat integrations like living systems:
There is real money on the line here. The IBM 2025 Cost of a Data Breach Report found that faster detection and response saves companies $1.76 million on average.
No tool is worth the risk if it creates a hidden backdoor to your data. With integrations multiplying rapidly, now is the time to rethink how your team assesses risk.
Here’s a recap of what to watch for:
At Vudu Consulting, we help companies build integration frameworks that are strategic, scalable, and security-first. From SaaS access control and policy design to ongoing monitoring and incident preparedness, we provide the guardrails that let your team move quickly without exposing your organization to unnecessary risk.
Ready to vet smarter? Start here or email us at contact@vuduconsulting.com.
