BetterCloud Introduces Chrome Extension to Tackle AI-Driven Shadow IT and SaaS Challenges
In a move reflecting the rapid evolution of cloud application management, BetterCloud, a frontrunner in SaaS management, has unveiled its latest innovation: a Chrome Browser Extension. This new tool is designed to enhance the visibility that IT teams have over their organization's SaaS landscape while tackling the growing issues of shadow IT and shadow AI. With a significant number of organizations employing various SaaS applications—many of which operate outside the traditional governance frameworks—it is crucial for companies to have an exhaustive view of the applications being utilized by their employees.
Recent studies, including one by Ernst & Young, show that a staggering 97% of tech executives consider autonomous AI integration to be a paramount priority. However, this rapid adoption has outstripped many organizations' capacity to manage associated risks effectively. A concerning 78% of these executives reported that AI adoption is occurring more quickly than their ability to oversee it, and more than half indicated that departmental AI initiatives often go ahead without formal approval or oversight. Such trends have contributed to the proliferation of shadow IT, wherein employees sign up for software applications without IT's knowledge, creating hidden risks and unnecessary costs.
Recognizing this trend, BetterCloud aims to reclaim control. The Chrome Browser Extension is engineered to provide comprehensive insight into all SaaS applications in use, including shadow IT and newly rampant AI tools. The essence of the tool lies in its capability to monitor browsers for unmanaged applications, thereby adding a crucial dimension to organizational visibility not just through APIs but via direct user interactions.
The extension facilitates comprehensive identification across all SaaS applications deployed within an organization — both sanctioned and unsanctioned. By tracking URLs, domains, and user activity, it illuminates the SaaS landscape at an unprecedented scale.
The app discovery dashboard offers a centralized platform within BetterCloud that organizes all discovered applications and provides critical metrics. This includes information such as Daily and Monthly Active Users (DAUs and MAUs), frequency of use, and user engagement recency — crucial insights for IT managers in decision-making processes.
Understanding the need for privacy, the tool employs Google's native allow/block lists, ensuring that data collection focuses on business-relevant web usage. This feature balances the imperative of effective security measures with the need for user privacy.
Perhaps one of the most game-changing aspects of the extension is its capacity to convert insights into action through automated workflows. For instance, it can identify inactive users and automatically initiate processes to either reclaim licenses or deprovision access if such licenses are no longer necessary.
David Bean, BetterCloud's Chief Product and Technology Officer, emphasized the financial implications of shadow IT saying, "Shadow IT isn't just a security risk, it's a major financial drain. End users often move quickly to adopt unsanctioned tools without IT involvement. Our extension transforms every browser into a point of trusted visibility for IT teams, allowing them to govern without friction and stop guessing about what applications are in use."
To showcase the new Chrome Browser Extension, BetterCloud will host a live webinar demonstrating its functionality and benefits on March 17th at 1 PM ET. This launch is not just another product introduction; it signifies a strategic commitment to empowering organizations to regain control over their SaaS expenses and manage security effectively.
BetterCloud stands as a leader among SaaS management platforms, focusing on helping organizations manage, secure, and govern their cloud applications efficiently. With a proven track record in automating user and workflow processes, BetterCloud supports IT and finance teams to optimize costs and address risks effectively. Trusted by thousands of organizations and managing $35 billion in annual SaaS transactions, BetterCloud continues to pave the way for a more secure and efficient digital workspace. For more insights on BetterCloud's offerings, visit www.bettercloud.com.
The Challenge of Shadow IT
Recent studies, including one by Ernst & Young, show that a staggering 97% of tech executives consider autonomous AI integration to be a paramount priority. However, this rapid adoption has outstripped many organizations' capacity to manage associated risks effectively. A concerning 78% of these executives reported that AI adoption is occurring more quickly than their ability to oversee it, and more than half indicated that departmental AI initiatives often go ahead without formal approval or oversight. Such trends have contributed to the proliferation of shadow IT, wherein employees sign up for software applications without IT's knowledge, creating hidden risks and unnecessary costs.
Recognizing this trend, BetterCloud aims to reclaim control. The Chrome Browser Extension is engineered to provide comprehensive insight into all SaaS applications in use, including shadow IT and newly rampant AI tools. The essence of the tool lies in its capability to monitor browsers for unmanaged applications, thereby adding a crucial dimension to organizational visibility not just through APIs but via direct user interactions.
Features of the Chrome Extension
Enhanced App Discovery
The extension facilitates comprehensive identification across all SaaS applications deployed within an organization — both sanctioned and unsanctioned. By tracking URLs, domains, and user activity, it illuminates the SaaS landscape at an unprecedented scale.
Consolidated App Dashboard
The app discovery dashboard offers a centralized platform within BetterCloud that organizes all discovered applications and provides critical metrics. This includes information such as Daily and Monthly Active Users (DAUs and MAUs), frequency of use, and user engagement recency — crucial insights for IT managers in decision-making processes.
Smart Filtering and Privacy Compliance
Understanding the need for privacy, the tool employs Google's native allow/block lists, ensuring that data collection focuses on business-relevant web usage. This feature balances the imperative of effective security measures with the need for user privacy.
Automated Actionable Workflows
Perhaps one of the most game-changing aspects of the extension is its capacity to convert insights into action through automated workflows. For instance, it can identify inactive users and automatically initiate processes to either reclaim licenses or deprovision access if such licenses are no longer necessary.
David Bean, BetterCloud's Chief Product and Technology Officer, emphasized the financial implications of shadow IT saying, "Shadow IT isn't just a security risk, it's a major financial drain. End users often move quickly to adopt unsanctioned tools without IT involvement. Our extension transforms every browser into a point of trusted visibility for IT teams, allowing them to govern without friction and stop guessing about what applications are in use."
To showcase the new Chrome Browser Extension, BetterCloud will host a live webinar demonstrating its functionality and benefits on March 17th at 1 PM ET. This launch is not just another product introduction; it signifies a strategic commitment to empowering organizations to regain control over their SaaS expenses and manage security effectively.
About BetterCloud
BetterCloud stands as a leader among SaaS management platforms, focusing on helping organizations manage, secure, and govern their cloud applications efficiently. With a proven track record in automating user and workflow processes, BetterCloud supports IT and finance teams to optimize costs and address risks effectively. Trusted by thousands of organizations and managing $35 billion in annual SaaS transactions, BetterCloud continues to pave the way for a more secure and efficient digital workspace. For more insights on BetterCloud's offerings, visit www.bettercloud.com.
Topics Business Technology）
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