Avoiding the Vulnerable App Trap with Third-Party Application Auditing

Apps are an integral part of our everyday lives. We use apps to check weather forecast, order takeout or delivery from local restaurants, and follow our favorite sports teams. While many apps we use are first-party applications, others come from third parties like DocuSign, LumApps, and Mailmeteor, among others¹. They serve a variety of functions, from quick eSignature integration to sending thousands of personalized emails simultaneously¹. However, installing and using third-party apps brings its fair share of risks.

Consider General Electric’s 2020 data breach, for example. ISACA outlines that with security measures lacking for both GE and Canon Business Process Services, its third-party partner, the breach exposed 200,000 current and former employees’ personal and health benefits records². This is not a favorable outcome for any business, let alone a global powerhouse.

Of course, the dangers of using third-party apps are not just limited to multinational corporations like GE. They can be hazardous to your business as well, particularly regarding the level of access your employees have to corporate data³. For example, suppose you work for a company with a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy³. You extensively use your iPhone to access your Gmail account and Google Drive documents, but then you decide to install a third-party app requesting permission to access your Google account during the installation process³. Now, place yourself in the employer’s shoes and ask, “How do I protect my business from falling into the trap of vulnerable third-party apps?”

Enter third-party application auditing. This process allows network administrators to act on multiple third-party applications that users or other admins have installed within their domains, either by revoking or approving access⁴. In this article, we will learn more about third-party app auditing and its benefits for your business.

A third-party apps audit allows administrators to approve or revoke access to certain apps by organizing them into three distinct categories: (1) Block List, (2) Allow List, or (3) Unresolved⁴. The Block List revokes access to applications for all users who install a particular app, even if they uninstall and subsequently reinstall it⁴. However, the Allow List serves the opposite purpose⁴. It enables users on the domain to use and install the application⁴. Meanwhile, if you list apps as Unresolved, you have not yet reviewed them for placement either on the Allow or Block list⁴.

Remember that before auditing, there are several vital steps you must take. First, take note of any installed third-party applications on your domain, then narrow the search to the ones that have requested and/or been granted access to your Gmail or Google Drive account⁵. Those accounts store your sensitive information and important data, so it’s crucial to be sure you can trust any applications that have been granted access. One way to determine if an application has malicious intentions is to consider if the permission request is fitting for the app’s purpose; as an example, games that ask for access to Google Drive may not be trustworthy⁵. You should also evaluate new applications daily and decide whether to whitelist or blacklist each app⁵.

Now that you know how third-party app auditing works, we will now explain some of its advantages for your business. One benefit of third-party app auditing is that it gives you a better idea of the apps your employees install and utilize every day³. By running a daily automated scan of all apps your users install, third-party auditing produces reports you can use as a valuable tool³. Each report lists all the apps with an at-a-glance, color-coded view of their risk level: low, medium, or high³. In short, third-party auditing helps you keep track of your applications and ensure that employees are not installing potentially malicious apps on your computer’s computer systems³.

While third-party app auditing helps you block risky apps quickly and easily, it also has specific benefits for Google G Suite administrators. If you are a G Suite admin, third-party app audits enable you to monitor all applications with access to your corporate data³. Thus, you can discover immediately if any of your employees have violated company policies, such as the data access policy³. For instance, you can find whether any of your employees have downloaded sensitive data to their private accounts³. This shows that regular third-party app auditing is essential for effective application management.

Navitend can help you. Call 973.448.0070 or setup an appointment today.

Sources:

¹Chrome Unboxed. “Google lists their recommended third-party apps for Google Workspace” by Johanna Romero. Retrieved from https://chromeunboxed.com/2022-recommended-workspace-third-party-apps.

²ISACA. “How to Identify Vulnerable Third-Party Software” by Victor Gamra. Retrieved from https://www.isaca.org/resources/news-and-trends/isaca-now-blog/2021/how-to-identify-vulnerable-third-party-software.

³Spin Technology, Inc. “Third-Party Applications Audit: Complete Guide.” Retrieved from https://spinbackup.com/blog/third-party-applications-audit/.

⁴BetterCloud. “Third Party Apps Audit” by Chris Fadell. Retrieved from https://support.bettercloud.com/s/article/Third-Party-Apps-Audit-bc60076.

⁵BetterCloud. “Third-Party Apps Auditing & Compliance Out of Beta, Suggested Policies.” Retrieved from https://www.bettercloud.com/monitor/third-party-apps-auditing-compliance-beta-suggested-policies.

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"This company is the best! I feel for the guys that have to help us who are not so tech savvy! Never have I been disappointed at the great service Navitend provides! Corey was especially helpful and I highly recommend Navitend for all your IT needs! You will be extremely satisfied!"

Kathleen Cwienkala

"I am truly impressed by the focus the team places on the requests from our company. Truly an excellent team!!"

Josefina and Christian Abboud

"The staff at Navitend is very professional and strives to meet the needs of their clients. As a Small Business owner trust and professionalism are keys to conducting business. Navitend sets a high standard of ensuring their clients trust their decisions are for the interest of their business."

Christopher Schaefer

"Corey was outstanding today in the services he provided - efficient, professional, knowlegable, kind, and understanding with someone who has no clue about computers. Thank you! 😊"

Mertie Potter

Brian Matthews

"I have been working with Navitend for 10+ years. Great group of talented professionals!"

Anne Wisnewski

"Corey came to my rescue by getting Quick Books working for me. He is excellent at what he does. Very knowledgeable in the Tech field. I don't know what we at Equity Environmental would ever do without him. Thank you Corey!!!!"

Lucille Favale

"Thanks so much again for taking care of everything in such an expedient manner. It's a pleasure to work with navitend and its staff as always!"

Lawrence Wolfin / Textol Systems, Inc.

"I cannot say enough about Navitend's expertise, customer service, knowledge and professionalism! They have been a great partner with our company for all of our IT needs."

Margaret Davis

"I highly recommend navitend for their professionalism, integrity, down-to-earth advice and thoughtful recommendations. Every solution that they offer is unique and the most appropriate to their customers' needs."

Paula Muller

"Navitend is always providing prompt response, strong technical skills and excellent customer service. Corey, Jeffrey and the other technical support team members are very helpful and user-friendly. Thank you all very much for your fabulous work!"

Chenghan Liu

"I look forward to working with you again in the future. Once again, thanks to your organization for your prompt response."

Luke Wolters / Luke Wolters Tax Consultants

"Awesome managed services provider."

Rick Smith

"Andrea always goes above and beyond with meeting expectations and customer satisfaction! Navitend provides great IT services."

George Zauflik

"We wholeheartedly recommend Navitend for their exceptional IT solutions and services; they have undoubtedly earned our trust and loyalty for future endeavors."

Benjamin Triggiani

"I wanted to personally thank Corey for always helping me with any concerns I have about my software inquiry issues. He is quick with his responses and I am always up to date with all my connectivity. Always a great experience! Thank you!"

Blerina Pano

Bryan Hyzdu

Kathy Molyneaux

Kristin Strunk

"Over the years that Navitend has been supporting my network and hosting our web site they have always been responsive, professional, and highly skilled. On a few occasions, I have turned away other vendors that have tried to get their foot in the door. Very satisfied."

M B

Matthew Bick

"We've dedicated our lives to growing our retail and ecommerce business and it's a relief to have found a company like navitend who treats our business likes it's their own. navitend's personal approach to project management and problem solving are top-notch."

Stamatis, Co-owner Twisted Lily, Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary

“Navitend’s expertise helped our firm over the past year to effectively elevate our I.T. game, powering our website into a highly interactive tool. Well done to Frank and his team!”

Chuck Steege, CFP®, CEP, President, SFG Wealth Planning Services, Inc.

Maria DG

"Our company uses Navitend for all its IT needs and every time I've had to ask them for help, they've fixed the issue within hours. Thank you so much!"

Chase Palmer

"Navitend was great and my experience was beyond excellent. Very professional, courteous, and responded in a timely manner. They go above and beyond for their clients. They are a pleasure to work with. Kudos to the Navitend Team - keep up the great job!"

Ann “Schitzies” Henderson

Claire Lynch

"Corey and the group at Navitend are always so helpful and do everything they can to help. Thanks for your professionalism and continued help."

Robin Ennis

"Navitend has consistently offered timely, professional, and courteous solutions to our business needs ranging from troubleshooting, purchase and setup of new computers and other advice. They are my 'go-to team' and continue to be a trusted support in our time of need."

Laurie Placeres

"Corey is ... an IT genius!!!! This man deserves a major raise and weekly bonuses!!! Navitend is my go to for everything IT related, morning noon night and weekends!!! Love this crew!!"

Heather C

"Great tech support."

Ralph Blakeslee

Jacqueline Balloutine

Denise Taylor

"This IT firm has been extremely patient, helpful and professional and they are immediately available to troubleshoot and solve problems whenever they arise. Highly recommend them!"

Kathy Kwasnik

"Their support staff is beyond good. They sorted out our company email server migration problem yesterday in record time. It's great to work with a team that has expertise in depth. There are so many one-man-bands out there. It was a good decision to go with the pros."

Steve S

"Navitend is a professional company providing Quality service, great customer service and prompt response to service needs."

Tammie Horsfield

"Anthony was very helpful and solved all my issues promptly. I appreciate all his hard work. Thank you Navitend and Anthony."

Kyle Hersh

"Very helpful, courteous & professional. They do a great job and are pleasant to work with as well."

Robert Linnett

"100% of all expectations met. Don't just consider Navitend, choose them and get back to YOUR mission!"

C Baker

"Thanks so much! You are a class act! You and your team have really done an excellent job on this!"

Steve Van Ooteghem, The C12 Group in Houston, Texas

"Navitend is a professional IT organization that I would recommend to my clients. Navitend builds strong relationships with their clients to better understand their needs. Navitend is community focused and does work to support local charities. Overall a great company."

"Thanks so much! You are a class act!
You and your team have really done an excellent job on this!"