Think your Salesforce org is secure? It’s probably worth a second-look.
In this guide, I’m going to break down common vulnerabilities, outline the 5 Step-by-step process of conducting a Salesforce Security audit, explore key tools like Salesforce Shield, Event Monitoring, and Security Health Check, and provide best practices to maintain a strong security posture.
Let’s get into it.
It only takes one phishing email or one rogue app to cause damage that’s expensive to fix — and even harder to explain to leadership
Why You’re Data is at Risk
Security = Who / What
The vast majority of Salesforce users enjoy the luxury of robust, systems-level security protections without a second thought.
But believe it or not, your data and system are most at risk from what is being let through the front door, not the back.
I’ve seen it firsthand:
Orgs where everyone is an admin,
Integrations with way too much access,
Updates that never got enabled after a new release.
It only takes one phishing email or one rogue app to cause damage that’s expensive to fix — and even harder to explain to leadership
Common Vulnerabilities
The Most Likely Threats to Your Salesforce
Even though Salesforce provides robust security features, inadvertent misconfigurations and user behavior can rapidly create vulnerabilities.
The truth? A shocking amount of Salesforce security comes down to basic access control—who can see what, who can change what, and who shouldn’t be able to do either.
Think I’m oversimplifying it? I’m not.
Think about this: An Atlantic journalist was inadvertently looped into a U.S. presidential administration’s war-planning Signal thread. The reporter got a front row seat within an encrypted chat, not from a breach, not from a hack — just a permissions fail.
That’s the kind of thing that happens in Salesforce all the time — on a smaller scale, but with just as much potential impact.
Costly Mistakes
One company I recently helped with a security audit had every user set with admin-level permissions, meaning any individual account was an access point for major data damage or abuse.
Fixing this was a simple, immediate step that closes the door on so many intentional or unintentional threats.
Make no mistake, these threats are costly too.
Another company had one employee with too many permissions fall victim to a single phishing email. Even though there was no data compromise, this simple mistake still quickly racked up $3,000 in security fees, audits and testing.
Those fees don’t even account for the toll these events have on stress levels and operations.
That’s why a frequent Salesforce Security Audit is essential.
Secure Your Salesforce Before It’s Too Late
Our experts at CRMNinjas specialize in auditing and configuring Salesforce security.
Schedule a free, no-obligation security audit to begin protecting you data — before the mistake.
Based on real-world audits here at CRMNinjas, these are the most common security issues orgs face:
Excessive User Permissions A widespread issue is that too many users have administrator access. If an admin falls for a phishing attempt, the entire system is compromised.
Outdated Security Updates Every Salesforce release includes security updates, yet many organizations fail to implement them. A recent update addressed click-jack protection, which was critical after a Chrome browser update.
Lack of Browser Standardization Different browsers handle security differently. Salesforce recommends using a Chromium-based browser (like Google Chrome) for better security.
Third-Party Integrations with Excessive Permissions Every connected app (e.g., DocuSign, Slack) introduces a new attack vector. Companies often fail to review and limit integration permissions.
Weak Security Policies & Lack of User Training Employees can inadvertently fall for phishing scams, leading to security breaches. Without regular security training, companies remain vulnerable.
Five-Step Salesforce Security Audits
Step-by-step Guide
If you’re tasked with conducting a Salesforce security audit, here’s a structured approach to ensure your organization’s data is protected:
Step 1
Review User Permissions & Security Roles
Check if all users have the minimum necessary permissions.
Remove excessive admin rights and implement the ‘principle of least privilege’ (PoLP).
Audit sharing rules and public groups to avoid unintended data exposure.
To review your current user access settings:
Go to Setup.
In the Quick Find box, enter Permission Sets.
Select Permission Sets.
Define It ‘Principle of least privilege’ (PoLP)
Users, applications, and systems should only have the minimum necessary access permissions required to perform.
Step 2
Implement Salesforce Release Updates
Every Salesforce update includes security patches—yet many companies fail to apply them.
Review the Security Release Notes and ensure that critical updates are enabled.
To review the release updates:
Go to Setup.
Use the Quick Find Box, enter Release Updates
Select Release Updates.
Step 3
Assess Third-Party Integrations & API Access
List all connected applications.
Check what permissions these integrations have—many are overly permissive by default.
Disable or restrict unused or non-essential integrations.
Connected Apps
Go to Setup
In the Quick Find Box, type “Connected Apps”
Select Manage Connected Apps
Review the list of apps connected to your org and click into each to view the scopes and permissions granted (e.g., access to user data, API usage, etc.)
Named Credentials & External Services
In Setup, search for “Named Credentials”
Review each credential to see what external systems your org is integrated with and what authentication method is used
If using External Services, check what API endpoints are available and what data they can access
Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users.
Tools & Features
Salesforce Security Audit Tools
Taking substantive beginning steps with Salesforce security is easy.
To enhance security beyond the basics, Salesforce offers several built-in and premium security tools.
Security Health Check (Free, Criminally Underused)
Security Health Check gives you an instant snapshot of how your Salesforce org stacks up against Salesforce’s baseline security standards. It checks things like:
If you’ve never touched this feature, you’re not alone. Most orgs we audit haven’t either.
Password policies
Session timeout settings
IP restrictions
Login access policies
Clickjack protection settings (yes, that’s a real thing)
9 out of 10 orgs we walk into, have never run a free security health check
It’s basically a built-in scorecard for your org’s security posture. And the best part? It’s free and available in every Salesforce edition.
Yet, in 9 out of 10 orgs we walk into, this tool has either never been run or shows critical issues no one’s bothered to fix.
If you take nothing else away from this article: run your Security Health Check. Today.
Here’s How to Get There
Go to Setup
In the Quick Find box, type Health Check
Click Health Check from the results
Boom — You’re in.
Here’s What to Look For
Choose a Baseline Use the dropdown to pick either Salesforce’s default baseline or a custom one. This defines what “secure” looks like in your org.
Review Risk Levels Settings are categorized as High, Medium, Low, or Informational risks.
Check Your Score The more your settings deviate from the baseline, the lower your score and grade.
Fix Issues Fast Use the Fix Risks button to apply Salesforce’s recommended settings instantly—no digging through Setup menus.
Salesforce Shield (Premium, High-Stakes)
You can think of Salesforce Shield as the enterprise-grade version of Salesforce security. It is a suite of products that exist for organizations who need a level of security and protection above and beyond the security that’s baked into the platform.
It’s not free, and it’s not for everyone — but if you’re in a regulated industry or storing sensitive data (think HIPAA, PII, or financials), the expense is likely worth it to protect your clients and your company.
Here’s what Shield brings to the table:
Field-Level Encryption: Encrypt data at rest inside Salesforce.
Event Monitoring: Track user behavior and flag suspicious activity.
Field Audit Trail: Retain historical data changes for compliance.
If someone exports a report they shouldn’t, or logs in from an unexpected location (like Guam at 2 a.m.), you can be notified and take action — fast.
Event Monitoring (Available Individually)
While it’s bundled into Shield, you can also purchase Event Monitoring on its own.
Event Monitoring is your early warning system. If something sketchy happens in your org, this is where you’ll see the breadcrumbs.
This tool gives you visibility into:
Who’s logging in, and from where
What data is being accessed or exported
Whether users are triggering suspicious patterns (like mass record edits or report downloads)
Security Best Practices
Security Tips Post Audit
Once your audit is complete, here’s how to maintain a secure Salesforce environment:
Limit Admin Access – Reduce the number of admin users and regularly audit permissions.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Adds an extra layer of security for all logins.
Standardize Browser Use – Require all employees to use a Google-based browser like Chrome, as Salesforce recommends.
Monitor Logins & Data Exports – Use event monitoring to detect unusual activity.
Train Employees on Security Awareness – Conduct regular phishing awareness training to prevent human error.
Schedule Regular Security Audits – Conduct audits at least twice a year to stay ahead of potential threats. This gives you frequent opportunities to refresh yourselves on security protocols, as well as offering a cadence for re-evaluating security.
Find Out Where Your Salesforce Org Stands
Whether you’re worried about user permissions or just haven’t looked at your org’s health check in a while, we’ve got you covered.
CRM Ninjas offers a free, no-strings-attached Salesforce Security Audit to help you spot vulnerabilities before they turn into real problems.
Review your org’s current security posture
Run a full Security Health Check
Identify high-risk misconfigurations
Provide clear, actionable next steps
Get your free courtesy consultation today to put your mind at ease.
I’m a Salesforce Admin/declarative-developer consultant with six years of experience with the platform. I have in-depth knowledge of Salesforce’s architecture including Sales Cloud, Marketing Cloud, Service Cloud, and Salesforce Einstein. As well as Integrations such as Hubspot, Zuora, Zuora 360 sync, Salesloft, Dataloader, and others.
A Salesforce Security Audit is a structured review of your org’s user permissions, system settings, third-party integrations, and activity logs to identify and fix security vulnerabilities.
Q: Why is Salesforce security important if the platform is already secure?
Salesforce provides strong baseline security, but misconfigured permissions, unmonitored integrations, and human error can still expose your data. The risk usually comes from inside the org—not outside attacks.
Q: How often should I run a Salesforce Security Audit?
At least twice a year. Quarterly reviews are ideal for regulated industries or fast-growing teams.
Q: What tools are included in Salesforce for security audits?
Key tools include Security Health Check, Salesforce Shield, Event Monitoring, and standard admin reports like login history and permission set audits.
Q: What are the most common Salesforce security mistakes?
Excessive admin permissions, outdated security settings, over-permissive third-party apps, and lack of employee training on phishing are the most common issues.
Q: Do I need Salesforce Shield for a secure org?
Not necessarily. Shield is helpful for sensitive data or compliance-heavy industries, but many orgs can achieve strong protection using free built-in tools like Health Check and proper permission management.
Q: How can I check if my Salesforce org is secure?
Run a Security Health Check from Setup > Health Check and review permission sets, login activity, and connected apps. Or, schedule a free audit with a consultant like CRMNinjas.
