Discover. Score. Control.
The average organization uses 130+ SaaS applications. IT knows about maybe half. CtrlLayer discovers the rest, scores them for risk, and gives you the visibility to make informed decisions about your cloud application landscape.
The Shadow IT Problem
Shadow IT is not a policy failure. It is a visibility failure. Users adopt SaaS tools because they solve real problems. The question is not whether they should use them. It is whether you know they exist.
Average SaaS applications used per organization
Productiv State of SaaS ReportOf SaaS applications are adopted without IT knowledge
Zylo SaaS Management IndexAverage annual SaaS spend for mid-market companies
Gartner IT Spending ForecastOf SaaS licenses go unused or underutilized
Flexera State of ITAM ReportWhy Shadow IT Is a Security Problem
Data Leakage
Employees upload sensitive documents to personal cloud storage, unapproved file sharing services, or AI tools without understanding the data handling implications. Once data leaves your controlled environment, you lose governance.
Credential Reuse
Users create accounts on shadow IT services using their corporate email and, frequently, the same password. When these services are breached, corporate credentials are exposed alongside the user's identity.
Compliance Violations
Regulated data processed by unapproved applications creates compliance exposure. A healthcare worker using an unapproved messaging app for patient communication violates HIPAA. You cannot enforce compliance for applications you do not know about.
OAuth Token Abuse
Many shadow IT applications request OAuth consent to access M365 data. These tokens persist even after users stop using the application, creating dormant access paths that attackers can exploit if the SaaS vendor is compromised.
SaaS Discovery and Cataloging
CtrlLayer discovers SaaS applications by analyzing network traffic, OAuth consent grants, and browser activity from managed endpoints. This passive discovery approach identifies applications without requiring agent installation on every SaaS platform or network proxy deployment.
Network Traffic Analysis
By analyzing DNS queries and HTTPS connections from managed endpoints, CtrlLayer identifies which SaaS services are being accessed, how frequently, by which users, and how much data is being transferred. This analysis requires no proxy infrastructure or SSL inspection.
OAuth Consent Discovery
Through M365 integration, CtrlLayer identifies all applications that have been granted OAuth consent in your tenant. This includes applications that users have individually consented to and applications with admin-level consent grants.
Application Cataloging
Discovered applications are automatically cataloged with metadata: vendor name, application category, primary function, known compliance certifications, data handling practices, and user count within your organization.
Continuous Monitoring
Discovery is not a one-time scan. CtrlLayer continuously monitors for new SaaS adoption. When a new application appears in your environment, it is discovered, cataloged, and risk-scored within hours of first use.
Risk Scoring Methodology
Every discovered application receives a risk score based on multiple factors. The methodology is transparent so you can understand and trust the assessments.
Data Access Scope
High ImpactWhat data can the application access? Read-only profile data is low risk. Full mailbox access with delegation is high risk.
Authentication Method
High ImpactDoes the app use modern OAuth 2.0 with proper scoping, or legacy basic authentication? Modern auth with least-privilege scopes reduces risk.
Publisher Verification
Medium ImpactIs the publisher verified by Microsoft? Unverified publishers represent higher risk of malicious or poorly secured applications.
Compliance Certifications
Medium ImpactDoes the vendor hold SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA BAA, or other relevant certifications? Certified vendors demonstrate security commitment.
Data Residency
Medium ImpactWhere is the application's data stored? Applications storing data in regions with weak privacy laws represent higher compliance risk.
Encryption Standards
Medium ImpactDoes the application encrypt data in transit and at rest? What encryption algorithms and key management practices are used?
Incident History
Low ImpactHas the vendor experienced data breaches or security incidents? Incident history and response quality factor into risk assessment.
User Base
Low ImpactHow widely adopted is the application? Widely used applications typically receive more security scrutiny but also represent larger targets.
Score Categories
Low Risk
Well-established vendors with strong security practices, compliance certifications, and minimal data access requirements.
Medium Risk
Applications with acceptable security posture but some areas of concern: broad permissions, limited certifications, or data residency considerations.
High Risk
Applications with significant security concerns: unverified publisher, excessive data access, weak authentication, or known security incidents.
Critical Risk
Applications that should be immediately reviewed: unknown publishers with tenant-wide consent, evidence of malicious behavior, or flagged by threat intelligence.
Compliance Certification Tracking
For organizations subject to regulatory compliance, knowing whether your SaaS vendors maintain appropriate certifications is not optional. CtrlLayer tracks vendor compliance certifications and alerts when certifications expire or when uncertified applications handle regulated data.
SOC 2 Type II
Track which SaaS vendors maintain current SOC 2 Type II reports. Identify applications handling sensitive data that lack this baseline security attestation.
ISO 27001
Monitor vendor ISO 27001 certification status. This internationally recognized standard demonstrates commitment to information security management.
HIPAA BAA
For healthcare organizations: identify which SaaS vendors have signed Business Associate Agreements. Applications handling PHI without BAAs create immediate compliance exposure.
GDPR Compliance
Track vendor GDPR compliance status and data processing agreements. Identify applications that store European user data without appropriate data protection measures.
From Visibility to Action
Discovery and scoring are only valuable if they lead to action. CtrlLayer provides the tools to act on cloud app intelligence.
Approve or Block
Classify discovered applications as approved, under review, or blocked. Blocked application access can be enforced through network policy integration. Approved applications are tracked for ongoing compliance.
Consent Review
Review and revoke OAuth consent grants for applications that present unacceptable risk. Identify overprivileged applications and work with vendors to reduce consent scope to minimum necessary permissions.
User Notification
When users adopt high-risk applications, they may not be aware of the risk. CtrlLayer enables communication: notify users about approved alternatives, redirect to sanctioned tools, and educate about shadow IT risks.
Reporting
Generate cloud app security reports for stakeholders and auditors: application inventory, risk distribution, consent grants, compliance coverage, and trend analysis over time.