Why Spreadsheets Are a Security Risk

Spreadsheets have been the go-to tool for quick data analysis and simple calculations. But when it comes to managing critical private markets investor data, they simply fall short – they’re not designed for operational integrity.

Paul Foley, CTO at qashqade, draws a vivid analogy:

“Using Excel to model a private markets Limited Partnership Agreement (LPA) is like trying to build a skyscraper with a Swiss army knife.”

The Hidden Risks of Spreadsheets in Fiduciary Operations

Key risks that spreadsheets bring to the table include:

• Security Vulnerabilities: Spreadsheets get emailed, copied, and modified constantly. Each copy multiplies attack surfaces, with no centralized access control or audit trail.
• Data Integrity Issues: Excel’s VBA code can mutate silently across different machines or versions, meaning after a few months you may not even know what logic your spreadsheet is running, or if it has changed unexpectedly.
• Lack of Resilience: There is no version control, no rollback functionality, and no continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline. One accidental overwrite or corruption can bring operations to a grinding halt.

What SaaS Brings to the Table

SaaS platforms like qashqade address these issues by offering:

• Centralized governance: All data lives in one secure place with role-based access controls to ensure only authorized users can view or modify sensitive information.
• Real-time monitoring: Systems constantly watch for unusual activity, providing immediate alerts and preventing breaches before they escalate.
• Resilient infrastructure: With automatic backups, version control, and disaster recovery, SaaS ensures business continuity even in adverse scenarios.

Paul highlights, “It’s not just about doing things more efficiently, it’s about fundamentally improving security, scalability, and operational confidence.”

Takeaway for Private Markets Firms

If your investor data is still managed in spreadsheets, you’re accepting unnecessary risk and operational inefficiency. SaaS platforms built with security and resilience in mind are the future of private markets operations.

To explore deeper insights and practical recommendations, download our free eBook: Operational Resilience in Private Markets, featuring Paul Foley’s expert advice on building secure, scalable systems.