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SaaS Sprawl: Understanding, Managing, and Securing Your Digital Toolbox
- Learn what SaaS sprawl is
- Identify if your company suffers from it
- Understand how it affects businesses
- Prevent SaaS sprawl with step-by-step guide
SaaS sprawl refers to the uncontrolled spread and adoption of Software as a Service (SaaS) applications within an organization without proper oversight or management. This phenomenon typically occurs when departments or individual employees independently subscribe to and use various SaaS applications to meet their specific needs, leading to a proliferation of disparate tools and platforms across the organization.
SaaS sprawl is primarily caused by the decentralized procurement and adoption of Software as a Service (SaaS) applications by different departments and individual employees within an organization, without centralized oversight or coordination. This often results from the ease of access to SaaS solutions, which can be quickly adopted to meet specific functional needs or preferences, leading to an unmanaged increase in the number of SaaS tools used across the organization.
Shadow IT refers to the use of information technology systems, devices, software, applications, and services without explicit IT department approval within an organization. It often arises from employees seeking to increase efficiency and convenience by using unauthorized tools and solutions that are not monitored or supported by the organization's official IT policies. While Shadow IT can drive innovation and productivity, it also poses significant security risks, including data breaches, non-compliance with regulations, and lack of data governance, making it a critical challenge for businesses to address through improved communication, policy development, and offering approved alternatives that meet user needs.
