GuidePoint Security, a leading cybersecurity solutions provider helping organizations make smarter security decisions and reduce risk, has partnered with the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) to introduce the SaaS Security Capability Framework (SSCF). This new framework represents the first comprehensive, standardized set of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) security controls, closing a long-standing gap in third-party risk management.
With SaaS adoption reshaping the way businesses operate, organizations face growing challenges in managing security at scale. Existing frameworks such as CSA’s Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM), SOC 2, and ISO certifications assess enterprise-level security practices but often fail to address configurable, customer-facing features that are critical for SaaS protection. This lack of clarity in the Shared Responsibility Model has left many businesses without guidance to evaluate or enforce protections, creating blind spots that expose them to risk.
The SSCF directly addresses this need by establishing 41 essential customer-facing security controls across six critical domains, including:
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Change Control & Configuration Management
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Data Security & Privacy Lifecycle Management
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Identity & Access Management
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Interoperability & Portability
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Logging & Monitoring
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Security Incident Management
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Developed through a global collaboration of industry experts including leaders from GuidePoint Security, MongoDB, CSA’s SaaS Working Group, and other specialists the SSCF provides a new baseline of standardized SaaS security expectations for both providers and customers.
“In working with customers, we continually see the need for clearer SaaS security guidance. The SSCF is a pivotal step toward SaaS security standardization,” said Jonathan Villa, Senior Cloud Practice Director at GuidePoint Security and one of the lead authors of the framework. “It bridges the disconnect between high-level organizational assessments and the product-level security features that matter most to customers. With this framework, organizations can easily reduce risk, streamline procurement and strengthen trust in SaaS solutions.”
By offering precise and uniform security controls, the SSCF enables organizations to move away from inconsistent, ad hoc assessments and embrace proactive, strategic security management. This not only enhances overall risk posture but also contributes to building a safer, more trustworthy cloud ecosystem.
“This framework is the product of true collaboration,” added Lefteris Skoutaris, Associate Vice President of GRC Solutions at CSA. “With input from GuidePoint Security, MongoDB, and experts across the SaaS ecosystem, the SSCF balances rigorous requirements with practical guidance. It will help raise the bar for SaaS security while enabling faster, more confident cloud adoption.”