As more organizations move to the cloud, RISE with SAP has become the preferred path for modernizing ERP systems. It promises flexibility, scalability, and reduced infrastructure overhead, but also introduces new security challenges.
As systems are migrated to SAP RISE, exposure levels are elevated and direct control is diminished. Due to the shared responsibility model, continuous penetration testing is required to ensure that customer-managed layers remain properly secured.
SAP S4 / NetWeaver Architecture: Key Components
SAP RISE is SAP’s cloud transformation package that helps companies migrate from on-premise systems to HANA Cloud.
It combines software, infrastructure, and managed services under one contract, simplifying the transition to a cloud-based ERP.
The benefits are clear: faster innovation, lower maintenance, and predictable costs.
But unlike on-premise models, security in RISE is shared among SAP, the cloud provider, and the customer. That shift requires a new mindset: continuous validation instead of static controls.
While you do not have to manage the operating system and the database layers anymore, the application layer is still a sole responsibility of the customer. This means that the customers are still responsible for managing key sensitive components and areas such as SAP Gateway, message server, user security, patching, etc.
New Risks in the Cloud Environment
While migrating to SAP RISE might reduce the exposure in some areas, it will certainly increase it in others as now, companies depend on multiple integrations, APIs, and third-party components that connect to SAP systems across hybrid or fully cloud environments.
Each connection introduces potential entry points, and many are outside the scope of traditional SAP audits.
A single misconfigured API or integration can expose sensitive data or allow unauthorized access. That is hy understanding and testing the full ecosystem, not just SAP itself, is essential for realistic risk assessment.
For example, a poorly programmed SAP BTP application might allow a remote attacker to extract personal identifiable information or even worse, pivot to internal systems / databases.
Why penetration testing needs to be ongoing
In cloud environments, systems evolve constantly.
New interfaces are deployed, configurations change, and partners connect through new APIs.
These adjustments can easily create new vulnerabilities even after the initial migration.
Conducting regular penetration tests, ideally every few months or after major updates, helps to:
- Detect new exposures before attackers do.
- Validate that changes and integrations remain secure.
- Maintain compliance and confidence in the shared responsibility model.
These activities will guarantee business continuity while reducing testing costs due to the incremental nature of a periodic assessment.
A smarter approach to SAP RISE Security
At Vicxer, our methodology for SAP RISE environments focuses on real-world risk validation, not just vulnerability scanning. We design our tests to reflect how attackers would move through hybrid or multi-cloud landscapes connected to SAP.
This includes:
- Realistic attack simulation, combining internal and external perspectives.
- Comprehensive scope, covering APIs, third-party tools, and integrations.
- Prioritized remediation, focusing on business impact and feasibility.
By combining SAP application knowledge with cloud and integration expertise, Vicxer helps clients understand their true exposure and how to mitigate ir effectively.
Want to stay ahead in SAP RISE security? Explore Vicxer’s expert-driven content:
- Governance & Compliance — Strengthening Compliance and Governance in SAP RISE with Vicxer’s Security Platform
- Monitoring & Operations — Securing SAP RISE: Proactive Security and Continuous Monitoring
- Architecture & Risk — What is SAP RISE? A Comprehensive Cloud ERP Solution