Take Control of Unsanctioned Apps Without Losing Control of SaaS

Unsanctioned SaaS applications are cloud-based tools and services that employees use without proper IT approval or security review. Unlike shadow IT, these applications may be visible through expense reports or corporate email usage but lack formal governance. They create risks because they:

• Bypass security controls and operate without proper risk assessment or monitoring

• Process sensitive data without encryption, backup, or access control standards

• Create compliance violations by handling regulated information in unapproved systems

• Introduce vulnerabilities through unvetted vendors and insecure default configurations

• Establish unmonitored integrations with business systems that create hidden attack vectors

Research shows 67% of Fortune 1000 employees use corporate payment methods for unapproved SaaS tools, creating massive governance gaps.

Yes, Reco applies intelligent classification to distinguish between high-risk applications and legitimate business tools:

• Risk-based scoring considers data sensitivity, vendor security posture, and compliance requirements

• Business context analysis evaluates how applications support business processes and team productivity

• Usage pattern assessment identifies whether applications provide ongoing business value or experimental usage

• Integration impact evaluation determines how applications connect with business systems and data

This intelligence enables risk-based governance that protects against genuine threats while enabling business productivity through appropriate controls.

Reco provides comprehensive visibility into how unsanctioned applications integrate with business systems:

• OAuth permission mapping shows what data and systems unsanctioned apps can access

• API connection tracking identifies how applications integrate with business platforms

• Data flow analysis reveals what sensitive information flows between applications

• Third-party relationship mapping shows connections between unsanctioned apps and external services

This visibility is critical because unsanctioned applications often gain extensive permissions to business data through OAuth integrations that users approve without understanding the implications.

Reco uses comprehensive detection methods to identify unsanctioned applications across all adoption pathways:

• Email metadata monitoring to detect application signups and communications

• OAuth integration tracking to find third-party apps connected to business systems

• Behavioral pattern analysis to identify usage of unapproved applications

This multi-method approach ensures detection regardless of how applications were adopted - through corporate credit cards, personal accounts with business email, or direct system integrations.

Reco balances security control with business agility through intelligent governance approaches:

• Fast-track approval processes for low-risk applications that meet business needs

• Conditional access controls that allow business use with appropriate security restrictions

• Proactive communication that educates users about risks while providing approved alternatives

The goal is enabling secure business practices rather than creating friction that drives teams toward even riskier shadow solutions.

Proper unsanctioned app control delivers multiple security and compliance benefits:

• Regulatory compliance by ensuring all applications processing regulated data meet required standards

• Attack surface reduction by eliminating unmonitored pathways into business systems

• Data governance by controlling how sensitive information is accessed and processed

• Incident response by providing visibility needed for effective security monitoring and response

• Audit readiness by maintaining comprehensive records of approved applications and their security controls