The sophistication with which attackers operate today has made cybersecurity even more complex and challenging. They now move across devices, cloud apps and user identities undetected, discovering and exploiting every overlooked gap.
In our previous article, we explored how smart, automated endpoint protection solutions help MSPs improve client security while reducing overhead. However, that’s only a part of the story. To gain a competitive edge, MSPs must evolve beyond endpoint-only strategies to deliver complete protection.
With business-critical data now living in Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and other SaaS apps, MSPs must defend not just the hardware, but the very platforms that drive modern work. That’s where SaaS security comes in — the missing piece of comprehensive protection.
In this article, we take a closer look at why complete cybersecurity coverage is no longer a nice-to-have, and how SaaS security fills that gap.
Beyond the endpoint: The expanding attack surface MSPs must address
Business operations and the IT environments that support them have undergone a massive transformation in recent years. Hybrid work is the norm, employees bring their own devices (BYOD) and organizations depend on cloud-first applications to collaborate and stay productive.
Today, most business-critical activities — email, file sharing, communication and collaboration — take place inside SaaS platforms such as Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. As a result, SaaS applications have become prime targets for attackers.
Figure 1: Attack surface expansion
Unfortunately, many businesses assume their Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace environments are secure. However, attack vectors lurking within their SaaS platforms, such as OAuth abuse, credential compromise, orphaned links and risky file-sharing behavior, can jeopardize these environments, bringing operations to a grinding halt.
Why endpoint protection alone is not enough
Endpoint security tools provide excellent device-level control. They can stop malware, block malicious traffic, enforce patching and manage configurations on laptops, desktops and mobile devices. But these tools can’t see what’s happening inside cloud applications.
This blind spot leaves businesses exposed to a host of SaaS-specific threats that endpoints simply won’t detect, such as:
Impossible logins: A user signing in from two distant geographies within a short timeframe, which signals a potential account takeover attack.
Suspicious file sharing: An internal or external threat actor maliciously shares sensitive documents with individuals or other organizations.
Malicious OAuth token use: Attackers exploit OAuth app security by using consent phishing or other social engineering tactics. Once access is gained, they can grant malicious apps persistent permissions to email or files, often evading detection entirely.
Privilege escalation: Once attackers gain initial access, they look for security flaws to escalate their privileges, gaining higher levels of access or administrative rights to cause further damage.
For MSPs, this means that protecting endpoints alone is no longer enough. To deliver full-stack security, they must extend protection to SaaS platforms where clients now work and store their most critical data.
Full-stack visibility is the new standard
Protecting businesses from today’s advanced threats requires full-stack security — a unified approach that combines endpoint protection with SaaS security. Together, these layers provide real-time visibility into user activity and potential threats.
Think of endpoint protection as the doors of your house and SaaS security as the windows. Threat actors continuously scan every entry point and exploit the weakest surface, whether that’s an unpatched laptop, a stolen password or a misconfigured SaaS app. That’s why MSPs need full-stack visibility to ensure all-around protection.
Figure 2: Full-stack visibility
How endpoint + SaaS coverage drives business growth
In our previous article, we discussed how endpoint protection can serve as a revenue engine for MSPs. But what if we told you that growth potential can go even further by extending protection beyond endpoints to full-stack coverage (endpoint protection plus SaaS security)?
MSPs that offer holistic security gain several business advantages compared to other MSPs that offer only endpoint security or SaaS protection. They can:
Command higher rates: Clients are willing to pay a premium since they understand the value of comprehensive protection and the peace of mind that comes with it.
Reduce churn: Offering full-stack security that covers both devices and SaaS platforms not only helps to build trust and loyalty but also improves customer stickiness.
Win more QBR conversations: QBRs become opportunities to showcase measurable improvements in risk reduction and compliance, proving clear ROI.
Position themselves as strategic partners: MSPs that offer full-stack security can differentiate their service offerings, strengthen client relationships and elevate their role to strategic partners, not just service providers.
How MSPs can differentiate with SaaS visibility
Deep SaaS visibility is now a key differentiator for MSPs looking to gain a competitive edge. Adding SaaS security alongside endpoint protection delivers comprehensive coverage where most MSPs often fall short.
Key benefits of offering SaaS security services include:
Continuous monitoring of Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and other popular SaaS applications where clients work every day, providing insights into user activity and potential threats.
Automated alerting for high-risk behavior, such as suspicious logins or risky file sharing, allows MSPs to address issues quickly before they escalate.
Automated, personalized threat responses allow MSPs to deliver a security approach tailored to each customer’s unique needs.
Faster threat response across all attack surfaces, so MSPs can contain incidents promptly, minimizing downtime and impact.
Stronger compliance support that helps clients meet regulatory requirements like HIPAA and SOC 2.
Supercharge your MSP business with SaaS Alerts
With SaaS apps becoming a core component of modern business, protecting these environments is non-negotiable. SaaS Alerts helps MSPs automatically detect and remediate SaaS security threats. It uses machine learning to identify threats, send alerts and lock compromised accounts, enabling MSP teams to act swiftly before they cause any damage.
While MDR or SIEM may offer limited visibility into Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, SaaS Alerts is purpose-built to spot and stop SaaS-based threats before they spiral out of control.
To provide full protection, MSPs need complete visibility into SaaS platforms where their clients actually work. With SaaS Alerts, you can confidently offer full-stack protection to clients, giving them the peace of mind that their most critical business environments are secure.
Ready to build stronger, more scalable security offerings? Check out our SaaS security checklist for proven strategies and expert tips to cover your clients’ SaaS with confidence.