Discover discovery to optimize and secure SaaS usage.

The rapid growth in SaaS spending has been driven by factors such as the rise of remote work and the need for companies to respond quickly to business goals. With the ease of testing, purchasing, and deploying SaaS solutions, purchasing these tools has moved from the sole responsibility of IT to the entire organization. This growth in spending, combined with the decentralization of software acquisition, has led to a significant increase in Shadow SaaS. The purpose of the guide on SaaS Discovery methods is to help your company monitor and optimize the management of Software as a Service.

To address this challenge, many companies are turning to SaaS management platforms (SMPs) to gain a clearer view of their SaaS environments, making it easier to optimize, rationalize, secure, and govern their software portfolio. For this visibility to be effective, the SMP must first identify which SaaS applications are in use across the organization. There are several methods these platforms use to accomplish this discovery, and we’ll explore the six most common.

Single Sign-On (SSO) Platforms:
Single Sign-On (SSO) platforms centralize user authentication, making it easier to monitor and manage the SaaS applications that employees access, thereby controlling ShadowIT or Shadow SaaS. By using SSO, organizations can simplify the login process for users while maintaining a consolidated view of all applications in use. This centralization not only improves the user experience, but also increases security by reducing the number of credentials that need to be managed. Additionally, SSO platforms allow IT departments to quickly identify and resolve the use of unauthorized or redundant SaaS applications, ensuring that only approved tools are used across the organization.

Top 10 Single SignOn SSO tools on the market, in alphabetical order:

• Auth0
• AuthX
• ForgeRock Identity Gateway
• Google Cloud IAM
• IBM Cloud Identity
• Microsoft Azure Active Directory
• OktaOneLogin
• Ping Identity
• Salesforce Identity

API Connectors: API connectors make it easy to integrate and monitor multiple SaaS applications, providing visibility into usage and data flow between them. Serving as bridges between different software systems, these connectors enable seamless data exchange and interoperability between applications. By leveraging API connectors, organizations can gain a comprehensive view of how SaaS applications are being used and how data is being transferred. This insight is essential for maintaining data integrity, optimizing workflows, and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations. Additionally, API connectors can alert IT teams to unusual or unauthorized activity, helping to mitigate security risks.

Agents: Agents installed on devices can monitor and report on SaaS applications in use, providing detailed insights into employee behavior. Running in the background, these agents collect data on application usage without interfering with the user experience. Analyzing this data allows organizations to identify trends in SaaS adoption and detect unauthorized tools that may pose security risks. The granular monitoring provided by agents provides a deeper understanding of how employees interact with different applications, supporting informed decisions about software acquisition and policy enforcement.

Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB):
Cloud access security brokers (Wloud THEccess Security Broker) provide security and compliance measures by monitoring and controlling access to cloud services and SaaS applications. Acting as intermediaries between users and cloud service providers, CASBs enforce security policies and ensure data protection. They offer features such as data loss prevention, threat protection, and activity monitoring, which are essential for protecting sensitive information in the cloud. Implementing a CASB allows organizations to have tighter control over their SaaS environment, ensuring that all applications comply with internal security standards and regulatory requirements.

Top 10 CASB tools on the market, in alphabetical order:

• Cisco Cloudlock
• Forcepoint CASB
• Google Cloud Identity and Access Management (IAM)
• CASB Lookout
• McAfee Skyhigh Security CASB
• Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps
• Netskope CASB
• Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud
• Proofpoint CASB
• Symantec CloudSOC CASB

Browser Extensions:
Browser extensions can be used to detect and track SaaS applications accessed through browsers, providing a lightweight and non-intrusive method of discovery. Once installed, these extensions capture and report URLs and domains visited, providing a clear picture of the web-based tools used by employees. This method is particularly useful for identifying shadow IT activity, as it does not require extensive infrastructure changes or direct interventions on user devices. By monitoring browser activity, organizations can quickly identify and address unauthorized SaaS application usage, ensuring that all tools are compliant with company security policies.

This guide reinforces the importance of a multifaceted approach to SaaS discovery, which is essential for organizations to protect their digital environments, optimize the use of approved tools, and identify potential shadow IT threats. By combining different methods—such as API connectors, device brokers, CASBs, and browser extensions—you can achieve comprehensive visibility and control SaaS usage efficiently and securely.

As MattZero, companies can automate and centralize the management of their SaaS, integrating advanced discovery and monitoring methods into a single, intuitive and powerful platform. This visibility allows them to optimize their tool portfolio, ensure compliance with security policies, and generate real savings in SaaS.

Are you ready to simplify and improve SaaS management in your company? Learn more about MattZero, schedule a demo with our experts and find out how we can help transform your digital strategy!

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