Overview

Salesforce is the backbone of many organizations, housing sensitive customer data, business processes, and integrations. As Admins, we are the first line of defense against security threats. While Salesforce provides strong security features out-of-the-box, misconfigurations or overlooked settings can leave the org vulnerable. This blog highlights common risks, practical mitigation steps, and actionable solutions to keep your org secure.

Introduction

Data breaches and security incidents in CRM systems can have severe consequences—ranging from financial loss to reputational damage. For Salesforce Admins, it’s critical not only to understand potential threats but also to proactively implement safeguards. Whether you’re managing a small org or a complex enterprise setup, adopting a security-first mindset ensures trust, compliance, and resilience.

Common Security Risks in Salesforce Orgs

Excessive User Permissions – Overuse of System Administrator profiles or cloned profiles with high-level access.
Weak Authentication Practices – Lack of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
Unmonitored Data Access – Inadequate field-level security or record-sharing rules.
Inactive & Orphaned User Accounts – Old users not deactivated, retaining access after leaving the company.
Third-Party App Vulnerabilities – Unvetted AppExchange packages or custom integrations exposing data.
Lack of Security Auditing – No monitoring of login activity, API usage, or configuration changes.

Mitigation Steps & Solutions

1. Tighten Access & Permissions

Step: Apply the Principle of Least Privilege—users should only have the permissions required for their job.
Example Update:

Audit all profiles and permission sets (Setup → Profiles or Permission Set Assignments).
Replace direct profile-based admin rights with Permission Set Groups for better manageability.

2. Enforce Strong Authentication

Step: Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all users.
Example Update:

Go to Setup → Session Settings → Identity Verification.
Enforce MFA at the login level using Salesforce Authenticator, SMS, or 3rd-party apps.

3. Secure Data Visibility

Step: Review Field-Level Security (FLS) and Sharing Rules to ensure sensitive data isn’t exposed unnecessarily.
Example Update:

Use Setup → Object Manager → Fields & Relationships to check who can see or edit critical fields.
Apply Role Hierarchy and Criteria-Based Sharing rules thoughtfully.

4. Deactivate & Clean Up Users

Step: Regularly audit users to remove inactive ones.
Example Update:
Run a User Login History report or query via SOQL:

  
SELECT Id, Name, IsActive, LastLoginDate 
FROM User 
WHERE IsActive = TRUE

Deactivate accounts of employees who have left the company.

5. Audit Third-Party Integrations

Step: Vet every integration and AppExchange package before enabling.
Example Update:

Use Setup → Installed Packages to review connected apps.
Revoke unused Connected Apps under Setup → Connected Apps OAuth Usage.

6. Enable Monitoring & Alerts

Step: Use Salesforce’s built-in monitoring tools to detect unusual activity.
Example Update:

Enable Login Forensics and Transaction Security Policies.
Example: Create a policy that alerts Admins if a user logs in from an unusual country.

Conclusion

Security in Salesforce is not a one-time setup—it’s an ongoing practice. Admins play a crucial role in safeguarding their org by reducing risks, tightening controls, and staying proactive. By enforcing strong authentication, cleaning up access, monitoring activity, and vetting apps, you can drastically reduce vulnerabilities.

Note

Remember: Security is everyone’s responsibility, but as an Admin, you are the guardian of trust in your Salesforce org. Don’t wait for an incident to take action—start with small steps today, and build a culture of continuous security awareness.

A Quick Admin Security Checklist ✅

🔒 Review and minimize user permissions (Principle of Least Privilege).
👤 Audit profiles and replace with Permission Sets where possible.
🔑 Enable and enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all users.
🛡 Regularly review and tighten Field-Level Security (FLS) and Sharing Rules.
🚪 Deactivate inactive users and monitor login history.
📦 Review and remove unused Connected Apps and Installed Packages.
📊 Enable monitoring tools: Login Forensics, Health Check, and Transaction Security.
📅 Schedule regular security reviews (quarterly at minimum).
💾 Back up data and test recovery procedures.
📢 Stay updated with Salesforce Security advisories and releases.

Guardians of the Org: A Salesforce Admin’s Guide to Security