Glean's AI-powered search can only be as secure as the SaaS data it indexes, making pre-deployment security audits, access control remediation, and data governance implementation essential for CISOs to prevent AI from amplifying existing vulnerabilities in Google Drive, Dropbox, and other connected applications.
Before deploying Glean's AI-powered workplace search platform, CISOs must secure their SaaS data infrastructure. While Glean offers enterprise-grade security features including SOC 2 Type II compliance, GDPR adherence, and strict permission controls, the platform can only be as secure as the data it ingests. 96% of security executives identify SaaS security as a high or top priority, yet 31% of organizations experienced a data breach in 2024 (State of SaaS Security Report, CSA 2025). Critical preparation involves auditing existing SaaS permissions, implementing robust access controls, and establishing data governance frameworks before Glean begins indexing your organisational knowledge.
Glean's power lies in its ability to search across your company's entire digital ecosystemâfrom Google Drive and Dropbox to Slack conversations and Jira tickets. The platform connects to 100+ applications out-of-the-box, creating a unified search experience that can surface any information you're authorised to access. However, this comprehensive access makes pre-deployment security critical.
Think of Glean as a powerful magnifying glass for your organisational data. While the platform includes robust security measuresâenterprise authentication, real-time permission enforcement, and data encryptionâit will amplify existing security gaps in your SaaS environment. If sensitive documents are overshared in Google Drive or if former employees still have Dropbox access, Glean's search capabilities will make these vulnerabilities more discoverable and potentially more dangerous.
By 2025, experts predict that 85% of all business apps will be SaaS-based (SaaS Statistics 2025, Meetanshi), creating an expanded attack surface that requires proactive security measures before AI integration.
55% of employees adopt SaaS without security's involvement (State of SaaS Security Report, CSA 2025), creating blind spots that become critical when deploying comprehensive search tools. These unauthorised applications may contain sensitive company data that Glean could potentially index if proper discovery and governance aren't in place.
Most organisations struggle with basic access management. 58% of organisations struggle to enforce privileges and 54% lack automation for lifecycle management (State of SaaS Security Report, CSA 2025). When Glean indexes data from these poorly governed systems, it inherits and potentially amplifies these access control weaknesses.
63% of organisations report external data oversharing and 56% say employees upload sensitive data to unauthorised SaaS apps (State of SaaS Security Report, CSA 2025). Before Glean begins searching across these platforms, organisations must identify and remediate data exposure risks.
Glean was built from the ground up with enterprise security in mind. The platform includes several key security features:
Permission Inheritance: Glean enforces the same permissions set in your source applications, ensuring users only see data they're already authorised to access. If permissions change in the source system, Glean's results reflect those changes immediately.
Enterprise Authentication: All access requires authentication via your enterprise identity provider, leveraging existing SSO infrastructure.
Data Protection: Glean offers SOC 2 Type II compliance, GDPR adherence, and HIPAA support, with options for deployment in your private cloud tenant or Glean's managed SaaS environment.
Content Controls: Organisations can control what data Glean crawls and indexes, preventing the platform from surfacing results for certain search terms or document types.
However, these security measures only work effectively when your underlying SaaS data is properly secured. Glean's security is additive, not correctiveâit won't fix existing vulnerabilities in your data governance.
Before connecting Glean to your systems, conduct a complete inventory of all SaaS applications in use. This includes both IT-sanctioned tools and shadow IT applications that employees may have adopted independently. The average organisation uses 130+ SaaS applications, making comprehensive discovery essential for security planning.
Focus on applications that contain sensitive data:
Implement data classification frameworks before Glean indexing begins. This involves:
Review and clean up permissions across all systems that Glean will access:
The 2024 Snowflake incident provides a stark reminder of MFA's importance. Snowflake itself was not breached, but over 150+ of its customers were impacted due to vulnerable users who failed to enable multi-factor authentication (Top 5 SaaS Governance Best Practices, BetterCloud 2025). Before deploying Glean, ensure MFA is enforced across all connected systems.
When establishing governance frameworks for Glean deployment, consider these platform-specific elements:
Implement automated tools that can track data lineage and monitor compliance across systems before and after Glean deployment. This includes understanding how data flows through AI systems and ensuring audit trails meet regulatory requirements.
System Integration Planning: Document all applications Glean will connect to and validate their security configurations.
Permission Testing: Use Glean's permission inheritance features to test that access controls work as expected across integrated systems.
Data Sensitivity Review: Identify and potentially exclude the most sensitive data from initial Glean indexing while governance frameworks mature.
Incident Response Preparation: Establish response procedures for AI-related security events, including inappropriate data discovery or access attempts.
Consider implementing Glean in phases:
Phase 1: Start with low-sensitivity systems and well-governed data sources to test security controls and user adoption.
Phase 2: Gradually expand to include more sensitive systems as governance frameworks prove effective.
Phase 3: Full deployment across all approved systems with comprehensive monitoring and governance in place.
Regular permission audits: Quarterly reviews of access controls across all systems connected to Glean.
Search pattern analysis: Monitor for unusual query patterns that might indicate inappropriate data access attempts.
Data governance updates: Regular review and updates of data classification and handling policies as organisational needs evolve.
Track key indicators of security effectiveness:
Successful Glean deployment achieves the balance between comprehensive data access and robust security. Organisations should expect to realise significant productivity gains - Glean users report saving 2-3 hours per week - while maintaining or improving their security posture through better data governance and access control.
The key is treating Glean deployment as a catalyst for broader SaaS security improvements. The platform's comprehensive data access requirements force organisations to address governance gaps they might otherwise overlook, ultimately creating a more secure and better-governed data environment.
Glean's enterprise security features provide a strong foundation, but the platform can only be as secure as the data ecosystem it operates within. By proactively securing SaaS applications and implementing robust data governance before deployment, CISOs can enable their organisations to safely harness AI-powered search capabilities while maintaining enterprise security standards.
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