According to the 2023 Observability Forecast by New Relic, just 27% of companies possess complete visibility over their software as a service (SaaS) stack. This limited transparency poses numerous challenges for businesses, encompassing both financial and administrative issues. The extensive range of software that organizations procure can complicate the procurement process, resulting in issues like unnecessary SaaS expenses and heightened security risks.
To address these challenges organizations need to optimize their procurement process, something that hinges on attaining full SaaS stack visibility. This involves obtaining a comprehensive overview of various factors, such as the software applications in use across the company, their associated costs, contract terms, the intended purpose of each application, and the users involved. Having this level of visibility can offer a multitude of advantages for your organization:
1. Cost reduction
Managing many subscriptions can quickly spiral out of control, particularly within large organizations with diverse teams and distinct requirements. Many organizations end up paying for tools that are no longer utilized, have become obsolete in internal workflows, or are legacy tools left behind by former employees. Additionally, the issue of redundant applications serving the same purpose may arise.
Identifying and eliminating obsolete applications from the SaaS stack can result in substantial cost savings. However, it’s important to scrutinize SaaS contracts to ensure there are no concealed costs or fees associated with terminating a contract prematurely.
2. Heightened security
Just a single vulnerability in an application can provide hackers with access to sensitive company data. Lack of visibility into the tools in use can impede the identification of potential security risks. The ramifications of such breaches extend far beyond mere data access; they can lead to data manipulation, theft, or even the compromise of crucial systems within an organization.
The more applications in use, the larger the potential attack surface becomes. Each application represents a potential entry point, which underlines why organizations need to have a thorough understanding of their entire application landscape to effectively protect against potential security breaches.
Axonius has previously highlighted that insufficient SaaS visibility is a significant contributor to security breaches in businesses. The cybersecurity company noted that: “Without full visibility into the SaaS application landscape, organizations will continue to find themselves vulnerable to data loss from shadow SaaS, non-compliance with federal and industry regulators, and financial strain from lack of insight into organizational spend.”
3. Optimized compliance
SaaS stack visibility is equally pivotal in navigating the intricate landscape of regulatory compliance. Various industries and regions have specific regulations governing data handling, storage, and privacy. Without a clear understanding of the SaaS tools in use and their compliance with these regulations, organizations may inadvertently violate legal standards, leading to potential fines and reputational damage.
Full visibility acts as a safeguard against these potential pitfalls. It allows organizations to conduct thorough assessments of their digital infrastructure, identifying any instances where SaaS tools may fall short of compliance requirements. Armed with this understanding, companies can proactively address compliance issues, rectify non-compliant practices, and implement necessary adjustments to ensure adherence to industry standards and legal mandates.
4. Enhanced productivity
Particularly in larger organizations, different departments and teams may be using different applications for identical purposes. For example, where development or technical teams may prefer project management tools like Wrike or Jira, marketing or sales teams may opt for Asana, Trello, or Monday.com. Such disparities can hinder collaboration or introduce unnecessary steps to workflows, as teams struggle to access the same information with ease.
With full visibility, organizations can implement strategies to consolidate SaaS usage, fostering a more unified and interconnected digital environment. This can help to streamline workflows, breaking down barriers between teams and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation where data and insights flow freely. It also optimizes costs by eliminating the need for redundant software subscriptions.
