Most AI & SaaS Apps Escape IT Oversight
▼ Summary
– 60% of enterprise SaaS and AI applications operate outside IT’s visibility, increasing risks like breaches and compliance failures.
– Most security breaches now originate internally due to excessive permissions, unused accounts, and poor identity management practices.
– 70% of CIOs cite unsanctioned AI tools as a major data risk, with nearly half of former employees retaining access post-departure.
– Traditional IAM tools are inadequate for modern SaaS and AI environments, necessitating AI-driven access management for security and compliance.
– Key findings reveal widespread access sprawl, including excessive employee privileges and low adoption of least-privilege policies.
Businesses are facing a growing security crisis as unauthorized AI and SaaS tools slip past IT oversight, exposing organizations to heightened compliance risks and data breaches. Recent research reveals that 60% of enterprise SaaS and AI applications operate without IT visibility, creating dangerous gaps in identity governance. Security teams now grapple with excessive permissions, abandoned accounts, and weak access controls, problems amplified by outdated manual processes.
A study involving 1,000 CIOs and CISOs found that most security incidents originate internally, often due to unchecked access privileges. Shockingly, half of former employees retain access to corporate systems months after departure, while 70% of executives cite unsanctioned AI tools as a critical data threat. Traditional identity management solutions struggle to address these challenges, as modern SaaS and AI platforms frequently bypass centralized IT controls.
Nidhi Jain, CEO of CloudEagle.ai, emphasizes the urgency: “Identity governance must evolve beyond legacy systems. With AI and SaaS sprawl, enterprises need automated, intelligent access management to prevent breaches and maintain compliance.”
The data paints a concerning picture:
- 50% of employees hold unnecessary access privileges
- To combat these risks, companies are increasingly turning to AI-driven identity governance solutions, which provide real-time monitoring and automated access adjustments. Security leaders now receive greater budget and executive support to tackle these challenges, mirroring the prioritization once reserved for traditional security operations. The shift reflects the critical need to secure the explosive adoption of AI and cloud-based tools while maintaining regulatory compliance.
(Source: HelpNet Security)
