Organizations increasingly depend on SaaS applications for mission-critical operations. Unlike traditional licensed software, however, the customer may not possess the source code, application data, configuration information, or other materials needed to recover the application if the SaaS provider can no longer deliver the service.
InnovaSafe SaaS Escrow provides an independent solution designed to protect the critical technology and materials needed to support business continuity.
What Is SaaS Escrow?
SaaS escrow extends traditional software escrow protection to cloud-based applications. In addition to source code, a SaaS escrow arrangement may protect application data, documentation, configuration information, deployment materials, infrastructure information, and other components needed to support recovery or continued operation.
The appropriate materials depend on the application, its architecture, and the business continuity objectives of the parties. InnovaSafe works with SaaS providers and their customers to develop an escrow solution appropriate for the specific technology and risk.
What Can Be Protected in SaaS Escrow?
A SaaS application often depends on much more than source code. Depending on the application and the objectives of the escrow arrangement, InnovaSafe can protect a range of materials needed to support business continuity.
- Application source code
- Database schemas and data
- Configuration files
- Build and deployment instructions
- Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC), including Terraform
- Cloud environment and architecture documentation
- Dependencies and third-party components
- CI/CD configuration and deployment scripts
- Credentials, keys and access information, where appropriate
- Backup and recovery procedures
- Technical documentation required to restore and operate the application
The goal is to identify and protect the materials that would actually matter if the SaaS provider could no longer deliver the application.
How Does SaaS Escrow Work?
A SaaS escrow arrangement begins by identifying the application, the materials to be protected, and the business continuity objectives of the parties. InnovaSafe then establishes the escrow arrangement and provides secure methods for depositing and updating the required materials.
As the SaaS application changes, the provider updates the escrow deposit to help keep the protected materials current. InnovaSafe securely maintains the deposit according to the escrow agreement.
If a defined release condition occurs, the agreement provides the process for requesting and administering release of the protected materials.
SaaS Escrow Verification & Recovery Readiness
Verification provides greater assurance that a SaaS escrow deposit contains the materials expected by the parties and can support its intended business continuity objective.
InnovaSafe offers multiple levels of technical verification, ranging from reviews of deposited materials to more comprehensive testing of the application and supporting components.
For more complex SaaS environments, InnovaSafe can evaluate the application, architecture, dependencies, deployment requirements, and recovery objectives to recommend an appropriate level of verification.
The goal is not simply to confirm that files were deposited. It is to provide greater confidence that the escrow arrangement can deliver meaningful protection when it matters.
SaaS Escrow for Business Continuity
SaaS escrow can become an important part of an organization’s business continuity and third-party risk management strategy. Even a financially strong SaaS provider can experience outages, acquisitions, discontinued products, security incidents, or other events that affect service availability.
A properly structured SaaS escrow arrangement provides an additional layer of protection by identifying and securing critical application materials before a problem occurs.
InnovaSafe works with SaaS providers and their customers to align the escrow arrangement with the application, business requirements, and recovery objectives of the parties.
Keep SaaS Escrow Deposits Current
A SaaS escrow arrangement provides greater protection when the deposited materials remain current with the application. InnovaSafe supports secure electronic deposits, source code version control integrations, and automated deposit options to simplify recurring updates.
SaaS providers can submit materials manually or automate updates as their applications change. This helps keep escrow deposits current while reducing the administrative burden on development teams.
The appropriate deposit and automation process depends on the application, development environment, update frequency, and requirements of the parties.
Who Benefits From SaaS Escrow?
SaaS providers and the organizations that depend on their applications can both benefit from SaaS escrow.
For customers, SaaS escrow adds another layer of protection for critical applications. It also provides greater confidence in business continuity planning.
Providers can address customer concerns about operational risk and service continuity while maintaining control over their intellectual property and confidential technology.
Legal, procurement, information security, compliance, and risk management teams can also use SaaS escrow to address third-party technology risks during contract negotiations and vendor reviews.
When Can SaaS Escrow Materials Be Released?
The SaaS escrow agreement defines the conditions under which a customer may request release of the protected materials. These conditions reflect the specific business relationship and requirements of the parties.
Release conditions may address events such as a provider ceasing operations, discontinuing the protected service, or failing to meet defined support or service obligations.
InnovaSafe administers the release process according to the terms of the escrow agreement, helping protect the rights of both the SaaS provider and the customer.
SaaS Escrow vs. Traditional Software Escrow
Traditional software escrow typically protects source code and supporting materials for software installed or operated by the customer. SaaS applications can create additional dependencies because the provider may control both the application and the environment in which it operates.
As a result, SaaS escrow may need to protect additional materials such as application data, configuration information, deployment resources, infrastructure information, and technical documentation.
The right approach depends on a simple question: what would the customer actually need to support continuity if the SaaS provider could no longer deliver the service?
Why Choose InnovaSafe for SaaS Escrow?
Since 2001, InnovaSafe has provided independent technology escrow solutions designed around the specific needs of software providers and their customers.
Our SaaS escrow services combine secure deposit management, flexible agreements, technical verification, and responsive support. We work directly with the parties to understand the application and develop a practical solution without unnecessary complexity.
InnovaSafe maintains SOC 2 Type II compliance and ISO/IEC 27001 certification, providing independent assurance of our security and information security management controls.
Whether the requirement involves a straightforward SaaS application or a complex cloud environment, our goal is the same: provide meaningful protection that supports business continuity.
Protect Your Critical SaaS Applications
Every SaaS application and business relationship is different. InnovaSafe can help you evaluate your requirements and develop a SaaS escrow solution designed around your technology, business continuity objectives, and level of risk.
Contact InnovaSafe to discuss your SaaS environment and determine the appropriate escrow and verification options.