Data security is a top priority for any organization using an ERP system, including PeopleSoft. According to Cyber Security Hub, over 4,100 publicly disclosed data breaches occurred in 2022, equating to roughly 22 billion records being leaked. With the ever-evolving landscape of internal threats and bad actors at play, it is essential to have a plan in place to protect your enterprise data. In this article, we’ll explore six strategies for protecting PeopleSoft data and securing your organization. 

1. Implement access controls

Access controls are integral to any organization’s security strategy and should be implemented to protect PeopleSoft data. With the proper controls, organizations can better manage access to sensitive data and mitigate the risk of unauthorized use. A common tactic includes an all-encompassing approach for requesting, approving, and provisioning user access rights and permissions. 

Organizations should always maintain proper safety measures for access requests and security changes in PeopleSoft. Gone are the days when paper forms and lengthy email chains sufficed in requesting access for new hires. A robust system like PeopleSoft should warrant more thought into how employees gain data access. Online request platforms and electronic systems are modern solutions that can manage requests, track approvals, and ensure that only the right personnel receive access. 

With a requesting system in place, adopting Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) or role-based security helps promote accuracy when assigning roles in PeopleSoft. With RBAC, users are assigned roles that define the type of access they have to the system. This provides a straightforward way to set up access control policies tailored to an organization's specific needs. Additionally, with this method, permissions can be modified or revoked quickly and easily. 

2. Monitor & track user activity

If you think of access controls as the meat and potatoes of protecting PeopleSoft data, monitoring and tracking user activity would be the gravy. And when it comes to gravy - the more the merrier! 

An overarching approach is ideal for monitoring and tracking user activity in PeopleSoft. Sentinel provides a comprehensive security log, an Environment-level history log, and a separate record of changes made at the object level. This makes it easy to track in detail the updates made throughout your PeopleSoft systems. You can also enable notification alerts in Sentinel to monitor security changes and audit controls for PeopleSoft. These monitoring and tracking tools help identify unauthorized access, uncover suspicious activity, and prevent potential threats. 

3. Restrict sensitive data access

An effective security strategy is paramount in any organization, and restricting access to sensitive data in PeopleSoft is a key component. Organizations can safeguard PII/PCI data and other confidential information by limiting access to only those who need it. Again, leveraging role-based security can simplify restricting access to sensitive information and protecting PeopleSoft data. 

Regular audit reviews of sensitive data access should also be implemented to detect unauthorized users. Sentinel offers easy-to-use online reports and tools to quickly review user access to PII/PCI data in PeopleSoft. Best practice audit controls are delivered with the system; however, controls can be modified to suit any reporting needs. 

4. Apply security updates

This next one should go without saying - applying security updates and patches in PeopleSoft is crucial to keep your systems running smoothly. Application updates offer the latest and greatest features and security measures, which work together to safeguard enterprise data further. Updating your systems regularly can help you stay ahead of any potential threats and get the most out of your investment. 

At the start of 2023, Oracle announced it would begin delivering only three PeopleSoft Images per year instead of the previous amount of four.  The new delivery schedule provides customers ample time between releases to get familiar with and test the newly delivered features. The change also aims to help organizations stay up-to-date with the current application upgrades and inadvertently stay more protected. 

5. Employ temporary access measures  

Implementing temporary access protocols is another valuable strategy for protecting PeopleSoft data. With temporary access controls in place, organizations can confidently grant access to vendors, contractors, or temporary employees without compromising their security posture. Sentinel lets you automatically assign and revoke permissions based on predefined start and end dates. Utilizing this automatic process makes managing break-glass and temporary access for PeopleSoft users easy.  

6. Regularly review & audit user access 

Lastly, regular user access audits are key to ensuring an airtight security infrastructure. Like a meticulous detective, audits analyze the who, what, when, and where of user access. They aid in uncovering any loopholes or vulnerabilities that may have slipped under the radar. By regularly scrutinizing access privileges, organizations can detect and eliminate unauthorized or improper access, safeguarding sensitive data and thwarting potential breaches. 

Sentinel delivers best-practice audit reports and controls that are the epitome of excellence in security. Areas of potential risk and concerns are highlighted, allowing organizations to rectify vulnerabilities quickly. These reports align with industry best practices and compliance standards, helping organizations proactively protect PeopleSoft data and safeguard valuable information.