The Overlooked Risk in SAP Security: Non-Production Data

While SAP production systems are often locked down, their non-production counterparts remain vulnerable. Developers, integrators, and test users frequently access copies of real business data, leaving personally identifiable and financial information exposed. The result is an expanding attack surface that traditional perimeter-based defenses fail to cover.

According to NextLabs, a data-centric enterprise access control leader, audits show that non-production data environments are now among the most common sources of unintentional data leaks. Compliance teams are pressing for visibility into how sensitive data moves through replication pipelines and reporting tools, but fragmented governance models make consistent enforcement difficult.

NextLabs is tackling this issue with Zero Trust data security technology designed to extend protection and control beyond production systems. Its policy-driven framework enables continuous monitoring and granular access controls across SAP landscapes, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure throughout the enterprise lifecycle.

Organizations copy production data into non-production environments because they need realistic datasets for testing, analytics, and training. However, NextLabs explains, this practice may create significant security and compliance gaps. Once data is copied outside the monitored production boundary, it becomes vulnerable to unauthorized access, insider threats, and regulatory violations.

The problem intensifies as companies increasingly rely on offshore development teams, cloud-based test environments, and DevOps practices that require rapid data provisioning. A recent deployment at a global manufacturer highlighted these risks: sensitive export-controlled customer data was being exposed in multiple non-production SAP S/4HANA systems with limited security controls, creating security and regulatory risks.

Applying Zero Trust Principles to SAP Data

NextLabs’ approach applies Zero Trust principles directly to data assets rather than relying solely on network perimeter defenses. According to a NextLabs article, the solution operates on three core tenets: verify explicitly by authenticating every access request; enforce least privilege access by limiting data visibility based on user attributes and context; and assume breach by designing all systems with continuous monitoring and policy enforcement.

The company’s Data Access Enforcer (DAE) and CloudAz unified policy platform work together to implement dynamic authorization using Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC). This allows organizations to make access decisions based on multiple factors including user identity, device type, geographic location, time of day, and data classification. Critical data protection techniques such as masking and anonymization are applied automatically while preserving referential integrity for testing and development workflows.

Real-World Impact and Security

The global manufacturer case study demonstrates the solution’s effectiveness. After implementing NextLabs’ Zero Trust Data-Centric Security, the company successfully identified and classified sensitive fields across its SAP S/4HANA landscape, then deployed automated policy enforcement during data replication and developer access. The result was comprehensive protection of sensitive data across all SAP environments while maintaining realistic testing data and enabling offshore teams to work without exposure to restricted information.

NextLabs’ Zero Trust principles are incorporated across its product portfolio, including SkyDRM for persistent file protection, Application Enforcer for securing SAP applications, and the CloudAz platform for centralized policy administration. The solutions integrate with existing security infrastructure and are compatible with cloud-based services, on-premises systems, and hybrid architectures.

What This Means for SAPinsiders

Enterprises adopt continuous verification to safeguard sensitive SAP data. As cyber threats continue to evolve and regulatory scrutiny increases, SAP customers are recognizing that comprehensive data protection must extend beyond production environments to encompass the entire enterprise landscape. NextLabs’ data-centric approach provides the sort of granular control and continuous verification necessary to secure sensitive information wherever it resides.

Zero Trust enables SAP customers to reduce hidden data risk. As SAP landscapes grow more distributed across hybrid and multi-cloud environments, sensitive data no longer resides solely in production. Adopting Zero Trust Data Centric Security helps organizations prevent exposure in non-production systems, a historically neglected threat vector. For SAP professionals, this means data protection and compliance become integrated seamlessly into daily operations.

Data-centric protection accelerates secure innovation. By securing sensitive data throughout its lifecycle, SAP teams can safely innovate without regulatory setbacks. Realistic datasets can now power AI, machine learning, and process automation without exposing personal or export-controlled data. Case studies show measurable ROI: reduced compliance costs, lower breach risk, and improved developer agility.