As identity-based attacks continue to rise, attackers are exploiting compromised credentials, hijacked authentication methods, and misused privileges to gain access to sensitive systems. While many security solutions focus on protecting the cloud, endpoints, and networks, SaaS identity ecosystems often go unnoticed, leaving organizations vulnerable.
Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) is designed to close this security gap. To stay ahead of these evolving threats, security teams need comprehensive visibility and rapid response mechanisms. Here are the five essential features that every organization should have to safeguard their SaaS identities:
1. Full Coverage: Defend Every Angle
Traditional security tools like XDR and EDR often overlook SaaS applications, leaving gaps in protection. ITDR should extend beyond cloud and endpoint security to include critical SaaS platforms like Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Jira, and Github. Seamless integration with identity providers (IdPs) such as Okta, Azure AD, and Google Workspace ensures no login goes unnoticed, and deep forensic analysis of logs helps track identity-related incidents.
2. Identity-Centric: Capture the Complete Attack Story
Like Spider-Man’s web, a comprehensive ITDR system captures every move of an attacker. An identity-centric approach enables organizations to detect suspicious activity across the entire SaaS environment. By correlating authentication events, privilege changes, and access anomalies into a cohesive attack chain, ITDR makes it easier to track lateral movements and suspicious escalations within your environment.
3. Threat Intelligence: Detect the Undetectable
A good ITDR solution should function like Professor X’s Cerebro, detecting even the most elusive threats. Incorporating threat intelligence such as darknet activity, IP geolocation, and compromised credentials enhances detection capabilities. With Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) and frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK, security teams can map out attack stages and identify potential compromises.
4. Prioritization: Focus on Critical Threats
With so many alerts flooding in, filtering out noise is essential. ITDR systems should prioritize real threats through dynamic risk scoring and clear alert context, highlighting the most critical incidents. By correlating identity events into a timeline, security teams can focus on high-fidelity alerts, reducing alert fatigue and speeding up response times.
5. Integrations: Automate for Efficiency
An ITDR solution should seamlessly integrate with SIEM and SOAR platforms to automate workflows, reducing manual intervention and increasing operational efficiency. Automated playbooks and step-by-step mitigation guides for every application and attack stage help teams respond swiftly and decisively.
BONUS: Posture Management – The Dynamic Duo
Pairing ITDR with SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) is the perfect combo for minimizing attack surfaces. SSPM provides deep visibility into applications, permissions, and user access. It can detect misconfigurations, excessive privileges, and dormant accounts, preventing unauthorized access before it even happens.
