In today’s digital-first world, data is the foundation of every business. It drives decision-making, supports customer relationships, and powers growth. With so much at stake, ensuring the security of your Salesforce environment is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. Salesforce, as a platform that holds sensitive customer and business information, is a prime target for cyberattacks. 

Investing in strong security measures for Salesforce does more than protect your data—it builds trust with your customers, ensures compliance with important regulations, and prepares your business to adapt to evolving threats.

This article explores key points in securing your Salesforce environment, providing actionable insights to help you strengthen your defenses and stay ahead of potential risks.

Key Practices for Securing Your Salesforce Environment

1. Strengthen Authentication with MFA
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is one of the most effective ways to prevent unauthorized access. By requiring an additional verification step, such as a security key or authenticator app, you create a barrier against cyber threats.
Salesforce now requires MFA for all user logins, making it an essential part of securing your organization. Salesforce’s Authenticator app makes this process easy, allowing users to approve logins with a simple tap and even recognize trusted locations to streamline access. Third-party tools like Google Authenticator or 1Password can also be used.

2. Apply the Principle of Least Privilege:
Not every user needs access to all data. Apply the principle of least privilege by granting users only the permissions necessary for their roles. For added security, implement field-level security to ensure sensitive data remains hidden from unauthorized users. Regularly review and update permissions as roles and organizational needs evolve, ensuring access remains appropriate and secure.

3. Use Salesforce’s Built-In Tools for a Security Boost
Salesforce offers an array of tools to enhance security. The Security Health Check evaluates your org’s settings against Salesforce-recommended best practices, providing actionable steps to address gaps.

4. For organizations handling highly sensitive information, Salesforce Shield includes Event Monitoring, Field Audit Trail, and Shield Platform Encryption, helping monitor user activity, maintain comprehensive audit logs, and encrypt sensitive data. These tools collectively (with proper configuration) ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR and HIPAA.

5. Conduct Regular Security Audits:
Performing regular audits of user access, security settings, and system logs allows you to identify potential vulnerabilities and address them proactively, helping maintain a high level of security over time.

6. Enable Data Encryption
Encryption is one of the most effective ways to protect sensitive information in Salesforce. By converting data into unreadable code, encryption ensures that even if unauthorized users access it, the data remains secure. Implementing encryption safeguards critical information while maintaining usability and performance.

7. Educate and Train Users:
Technology alone cannot guarantee security; human behavior plays a significant role. Regular training sessions for employees on data security best practices, such as recognizing phishing attempts or maintaining strong passwords, are essential. Empower your users to be active participants in protecting organizational data.

8. Restrict Access Based on Location and Network
Limiting login access to trusted IP ranges or specific geographic locations can add another layer of security. This ensures that only users from approved networks or regions can access your Salesforce org.
For remote teams, consider using VPNs or secure access solutions to protect connections. Strengthening your network’s security helps prevent unauthorized access and keeps your data safe.

Securing your Salesforce environment requires more than one-time fixes—it’s about creating a mindset of ongoing security and adapting to new challenges. By implementing strong authentication, limiting access, encrypting sensitive data, and conducting regular audits, you establish a robust defense for your organization’s most critical assets. 

Tools like Salesforce’s Security Health Check and regular user training ensure your team is proactive and equipped to handle potential risks. By embracing these practices, you not only protect your business but also build trust and confidence with your customers, ensuring long-term success in today’s digital landscape.

If you struggle with Salesforce security and need some help, do not hesitate to reach out to us at hello@maintask.com.