Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) apps have become essential tools for fostering productivity and efficiency in the workplace. However, adopting them without the proper oversight can lead to disorganization, cost inefficiencies, compliance issues, and security vulnerabilities. This practice is known as shadow IT<\/a>, and it\u2019s a growing concern<\/a> among small and medium-sized enterprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, you\u2019ll learn about each approach as well as their benefits and potential downsides. But first, let\u2019s lay the groundwork and understand the basics of SaaS discovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nShadow IT concerns 84% of SME IT professionals<\/a>, and 29% of SMEs list it as one of their top three security concerns.<\/p>\nJumpCloud’s Q3 2024 SME IT Trends Report<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
With the rise of cloud-based tools and services, businesses often find themselves using numerous SaaS tools without any IT oversight. This can lead to SaaS sprawl<\/a>, where applications are spread out across different departments, causing inefficiencies, security risks, compliance issues, and unnecessary costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The core objectives of SaaS discovery include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Inventorying applications<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Assessing usage patterns<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Evaluating security and compliance<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Optimizing costs and better resource allocation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Improving operational efficiency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What Are the Benefits of SaaS Discovery?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cutting Down on Unnecessary Costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When companies invest in SaaS without central oversight, many tool features end up going unused or overlapping in functionality. This translates to wasted budget and operational inefficiencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SaaS discovery offers a comprehensive view of all software applications in use and helps IT teams analyze usage patterns. By identifying which tools are redundant and which are underused, businesses can eliminate unnecessary SaaS subscriptions<\/a> and reallocate those funds to more impactful resources. Further, these detailed insights into software usage and expenditures can empower companies to negotiate better SaaS deals<\/a> with vendors and avoid over-purchasing. The result is substantial cost savings and more efficient use of resources, ensuring that your organization only pays for what it truly needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fortifying Security and Compliance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The use of unauthorized and poorly managed SaaS applications can lead to serious security breaches and compliance violations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
SaaS discovery helps IT teams ensure all SaaS applications meet industry standards, security policies, and regulatory requirements. By identifying unapproved or high-risk software, organizations can address potential vulnerabilities and maintain compliance. Overall, SaaS discovery reduces the risk of data breaches and helps build trust with stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re wondering what security risks SaaS tools can cause, also read <\/em>Top SaaS Security Risks<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Empowering Employees with Standardized Tools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nEmployees require a large number of tools to do their work: Over a quarter (28%) require 11 or more tools to manage the worker lifecycle.<\/p>\nJumpCloud’s Q3 2024 SME IT Trends Report<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
6 Most-Used SaaS Discovery Methods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Browser Extension<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Browser extensions for SaaS discovery are lightweight extensions installed on web browsers that capture real-time user interactions with SaaS domains. SaaS discovery plugins monitor all SaaS applications accessed via the browser, providing a complete view of web-based tools. They track usage metrics such as time spent, email address\/user, last time accessed, and other insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Compared to other SaaS discovery methods, discovery through a browser plugin provides simpler installation on user devices without the need for complex infrastructure changes or integration with external systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Browser plugins can capture user data as users interact with SaaS apps, offering immediate visibility into current usage patterns and trends.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The immediate, real-time visibility offered by extensions can help IT teams make proactive decisions during SaaS discovery. For example, they may offer guidance to employees or warn them about unauthorized app usage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Browser extensions offer a broad range of SaaS discovery. For example, they can extend to apps accessed with personal email addresses, which can still pose threats to the organization.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Drawbacks:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Privacy concerns:<\/strong> It\u2019s a best practice to clearly communicate your policies regarding data collection to address user privacy concerns effectively.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Limitations:<\/strong> Browser extensions won\u2019t catch tools signed up from incognito or mobile devices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n