Why SAP GRC and Similar Tools Alone Can’t Secure Your SAP Systems

Discover the critical gaps in traditional compliance-focused tools—and how to build a truly secure SAP landscape with a holistic, real-time strategy. 

The Reality: SAP is a High-Value Target 

SAP systems are the backbone of enterprise operations. They store sensitive business data, run mission-critical processes, and keep day-to-day operations running. Yet, many companies assume that having SAP GRC or similar governance tools in place is enough to keep these systems safe. That assumption creates a false sense of security—and a big opportunity for attackers.

The Gaps in Traditional SAP Security Tools 

Let’s walk through where SAP GRC and similar tools fall short, and why relying solely on them could put your business at risk. 

1. Compliance ≠ Security 

SAP GRC was built to help businesses manage risk and ensure compliance with internal controls and regulations. But meeting audit requirements isn’t the same as being protected against cyberattacks. Think of it like this: locking your front door may satisfy your insurance policy, but if the windows are wide open, you’re still vulnerable. Compliance doesn’t catch real-time attacks – it only shows you passed a check at a point in time. 

2. No Real-Time Threat Detection 

Governance tools like GRC weren’t designed to detect cyber threats as they happen. They won’t notify you if someone is trying to brute-force login credentials or accessing sensitive data at odd hours. Without real-time detection, a breach could go unnoticed for days. That’s a serious blind spot. 

3. Reactive Risk Models 

Most risk assessments in GRC tools are scheduled periodically – monthly, quarterly, or annually. But cyber threats don’t follow your audit schedule. Waiting weeks or months to evaluate risks just doesn’t cut it anymore. Companies need tools that continuously assess and adapt to changing risk levels. 

4. Poor Integration = Blind Spots 

Another important issue is that GRC tools often do not integrate well with other components of your security ecosystem. When they are not connected to SIEM systems, endpoint tools, or vulnerability scanners, you lose sight of the overall security landscape. This can slow down your incident response and leave parts of your SAP environment unmonitored. 

5. Lack of Vulnerability Management 

Many organizations are unaware that SAP GRC does not scan for technical vulnerabilities. This means that issues like outdated kernel patches, insecure transport, or misconfigured parameters are not detected. Here are just a few areas it misses: 

– SAP system misconfigurations 
– Outdated or unpatched software components 
– Vulnerabilities in custom code 
– Transport layer risks 

Without automatic scanning and prioritization, your team may remain unaware of these weaknesses. 

6. Too Narrow a Focus 

GRC platforms primarily concentrate on identity and access management. They determine who has access to specific resources and whether that access aligns with established policies. However, attackers do not adhere to these rules. Once they gain entry, they can move laterally within the system, exploit vulnerabilities, or deploy malware – none of which is addressed by identity management tools.

7. Custom Code: The Silent Risk 

Most SAP environments rely heavily on custom ABAP code, which is often overlooked during standard security reviews. If you’re not scanning this code regularly, you’re leaving the door open to serious issues like SQL injection, hardcoded passwords, and insecure integrations. These are the kinds of weaknesses attackers love because they’re hard to detect and easy to exploit.