Your business likely experiences cloud sprawl if you use cloud tools in your technology infrastructure. When cloud resources grow unchecked, increased costs, security risks, and operational deficiencies follow. An organization’s cloud services may include many apps, accounts, subscriptions, and systems. These are often untracked services that end up costing more money than they need to.
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can’t afford to waste money, inventory, or unnecessary downtime. The rapid adaptation of cloud resources doesn’t have to lead to unnecessary spending.
Understanding the risks and causes of cloud sprawl, how to prevent it, and why cloud sprawl is a business problem will help your organization’s cloud services be active assets instead of money drains.
What Is Cloud Sprawl?
Cloud sprawl refers to the uncontrolled expansion of cloud services, accounts, and resources across a business’s cloud environment. Examples of unmanaged cloud usage resources include:
- Idle resources (virtual machines left running after a project ends)
- Unattached storage volumes that keep incurring costs
- Forgotten test and development environments
- Unmanaged SaaS subscriptions without IT oversight
- Unsecured databases and exposed APIs are unknown to security teams
- Unused software subscriptions
- Duplicate systems
- Unmanaged user accounts
Cloud sprawl usually happens due to fast business growth and good intentions. Different teams purchase tools, systems, or apps to aid in solving a problem, but the service is unmanaged and soon becomes lost in the shuffle.
Managed service providers are trained to help mitigate cloud sprawl by consolidating cloud technologies and services, optimizing costs, and enforcing governance policies. Look for reliable, professional cloud management services that offer personalized cloud sprawl advice along with cloud data security and access management support.
Causes of Cloud Sprawl
Cloud sprawl typically happens due to fast growth, decentralized decision-making, and a lack of a clear cloud management strategy. The most common cause of cloud sprawl revolves around the necessity of managing quick business expansion.
Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, customer relationship management systems (CRMs), marketing platforms, and file sharing systems are adopted, but sometimes lack guidance or plans for thorough implementation and usage.99 percent of businesses implement at least one or more SaaS solutions. This may cause cloud sprawl if not managed properly.
Lack of governance is another common cause of cloud sprawl. Employees and departments that are all allowed to purchase and implement tools easily lead to duplicates and overlooked assets. Inconsistent processes dealing with cloud platforms and cloud resource management breed miscommunication, idle uses, or resource neglect.
Visibility and management challenges arise when business leaders do not understand exactly what they are paying for, how the tools are used, or even whether they have a certain tool in the first place.
Shadow IT is an issue within the cloud environment. Sometimes teams implement their own ideas to move faster in cloud operations, but end up creating long-term risk and complexity in the cloud inventory.
Sprawl Risks in the Cloud Environment
The risks of cloud sprawl include costs, security risks, compliance, and operational efficiency issues. Cloud resources soon become risks when left unattended, are unknown, or are unused.
Typically, the biggest risk is wasted finances. Businesses frequently pay for unused licenses, redundant platforms, and overlapping tools. The fees for these redundant or idle cloud resources easily turn into thousands of dollars wasted over time.
Cloud security vulnerabilities also quickly become an issue with multiple cloud platforms at work. Each app, application, or additional system has the potential to increase the risk of data breaches.
Thorough cloud security is key to effectively managing cloud sprawl. This is accomplished through a centralized cloud oversight strategy. Cloud management makes security vulnerabilities harder to breach.
Operational efficiency becomes a problem for team members who must constantly switch between apps, systems, or tools. Inconsistent systems make it difficult for employees to find data, wasting valuable time.
Compliance risk is another negative effect of cloud sprawl. Scattered, unmanned, or poorly managed tools make it difficult for companies to protect sensitive data and maintain proper control.
Cloud Management Strategy for Preventing Cloud Sprawl
Bring order to your cloud environment and reduce cloud sprawl by organizing and utilizing what you already have through centralization, governance, and visibility. A centralized cloud strategy is the first step to preventing cloud sprawl. Each of your cloud resources should align with your business goals and not just be knee-jerk reaction buys. Look for tools and systems that will carry your company into the future.
Governance of your cloud environment is important for preventing cloud sprawl, as it restricts purchasing and deployment to specific teams or employees. Instead of allowing any team, employee, or group to purchase and implement tools, governance provides a chain of command that keeps cloud services in order. Spend time defining who is able to purchase new tools, how systems should be managed, and how access is controlled.
Visibility is a critical aspect to preventing cloud sprawl. Businesses must have access to a clear inventory of cloud resources, subscriptions, users, and integrations. You may be surprised to find multiple cloud providers, underutilized or abandoned resources, and other excess cloud spending.
Why Cloud Sprawl Is a Business Problem
The IT teams are often blamed when cloud sprawl occurs, but in reality, it is an overall business issue. Most cloud resources are purchased to solve business challenges in sales, communications, or operations.
The leadership making the purchasing decisions is directly responsible for the cloud environment. There must be alignment between leadership, operations, and IT teams for them to truly address cloud sprawl.
The true fix is a unified strategy that correlates to your company’s business goals. This principle ensures purposeful and organized cloud resource utilization. Each tool, system, and application will have a focused, clear, connected purpose.
FAQ About Cloud Governance vs Cloud Sprawl
Can cloud sprawl impact a business’s security posture?Â
Yes, cloud sprawl negatively impacts security posture by increasing the attack surface and making it more difficult to maintain unified security policies across all systems.
How can small businesses prevent cloud sprawl?Â
Prevent cloud sprawl by using clear cloud usage baselines, centralizing cloud accounts and management, and educating employees on best practices for cloud usage.
How often should businesses conduct cloud sprawl audits?Â
Businesses should audit for cloud sprawl about four times a year, depending on their size and usage.
Cloud Management Is the Answer
Cloud sprawl is a common problem for businesses. It happens slowly through a lack of centralized governance, poor visibility, shadow IT, and inadequate organization.
Begin to manage cloud sprawl by building a centralized cloud strategy, implementing a governance system, and providing clear visibility of cloud services and resources. Finally, consider regular audits and standardization.
For many businesses, partnering with a professional, trusted managed service provider that specializes in cloud management is the best way to get a grip on their entire cloud environment.
With the right approach, organizations will take back control of their sprawling cloud infrastructure, reduce unnecessary fees, and increase their overall security posture. Create a management system for your business that supports growth without hindering your progress.
