How can organizations secure their transition to SAP S/4HANA? Organizations must restructure access and technical controls to address significant differences between SAP ERP and S/4HANA. A comprehensive security framework, aligned with best practices, is essential to mitigate vulnerabilities during migration, especially when moving custom programs or transitioning to cloud-based S/4HANA installations.
Executive Summary
The transition from SAP ERP to SAP S/4HANA is a critical journey for organizations, driven by the end of mainstream maintenance for SAP ERP in December 2027. With only one-third of organizations having migrated to date, the vast majority of SAP customers face a migration deadline within the next five years. Security remains one of the most significant roadblocks to a successful transition. This complexity arises from the fundamental architectural differences between traditional ERP and S/4HANA, which necessitate a complete restructuring of existing access and technical controls.
Furthermore, the rise of cloud-based S/4HANA installations—chosen by nearly 70% of organizations—introduces new cloud security concerns. Migration also poses risks to custom SAP programs, which often harbor hidden, unresolved vulnerabilities that were never subjected to in-depth code analysis during their lifecycle in ERP. To navigate these challenges, Layer Seven Security has released a whitepaper providing a comprehensive framework for S/4HANA migrations. This guide offers detailed recommendations across twelve domains to facilitate a smooth transition while maintaining robust security posture. By aligning with the SAP S/4HANA Security Guide and leveraging tools like SAP Solution Manager and the Cybersecurity Extension for SAP, organizations can automate pre- and post-go-live security checks to ensure a secure migration.
Key Takeaways
- Mainstream maintenance for SAP ERP ends in December 2027, requiring organizations to migrate to S/4HANA by the beginning of 2028.
- Security is a primary migration roadblock due to the need to restructure access and technical controls between ERP and S/4HANA.
- Nearly 70% of organizations are migrating to cloud-based S/4HANA, introducing complex cloud security requirements.
- Custom SAP programs often contain hidden vulnerabilities that require in-depth code analysis before and during migration.
- The Layer Seven Security framework provides twelve domains of recommendations aligned with official SAP S/4HANA security best practices.
Why is security a major challenge during S/4HANA migrations?
Security challenges during migration stem primarily from the significant architectural differences between legacy SAP ERP and the new S/4HANA environment. These differences require a complete restructuring of access and technical controls. Additionally, organizations must contend with the unique security requirements of cloud-based deployments and the remediation of legacy vulnerabilities found in custom programs that were never previously analyzed.
What does the Layer Seven Security whitepaper offer?
The whitepaper Securing the Journey to SAP S/4HANA: A Security Framework for S/4HANA Migrations provides a comprehensive guide to support the transition from SAP ERP to S/4HANA. It includes:
- Detailed recommendations across twelve distinct security domains.
- Alignment with best practices outlined in the official SAP S/4HANA Security Guide.
- Guidance on automating pre- and post-go-live security checks using SAP Solution Manager and the Cybersecurity Extension for SAP.
FAQ
When does SAP ERP mainstream maintenance end?
Mainstream maintenance for SAP ERP ends in December 2027. Consequently, organizations must complete their migration to SAP S/4HANA by the beginning of 2028 to ensure continued support.
Why are custom SAP programs a security risk during migration?
Custom programs often contain hidden and unresolved security vulnerabilities because they were never subjected to in-depth code vulnerability analysis while running in the older SAP ERP environment. Migrating these programs to S/4HANA without proper assessment can introduce these risks into the new system.
How are organizations automating security checks for S/4HANA?
Organizations can automate pre- and post-go-live security checks by using SAP Solution Manager in conjunction with the Cybersecurity Extension for SAP. This approach helps verify that security controls are properly configured and aligned with best practices during the migration process.