AI Governance Simplified

How SaaS Management Makes It Possible

---

Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing faster than most organizations can keep up with. The rapid adoption of AI tools presents exciting opportunities but also complex risks. Regardless of your organization’s size, if you’re embracing AI then you are bound to have a hard time ensuring its use does not inhibit your obligation to maintain sound security and compliance. 

The struggle is real… but it isn’t necessary. A program built specifically to govern AI usage across your organization is the key. 

Implementing AI governance doesn’t have to be complicated or resource-intensive. In fact, one of the fastest and most effective ways to establish the control you need is by leaning into a practice you may already be working to adopt: automated SaaS management. 

Whether your organization already has a SaaS management program in place or is just starting out, this eBook will show you why SaaS management serves as the foundation for responsible AI adoption. By the end, you’ll learn how to better protect your organization while unlocking AI’s full potential.

AI Governance: What It is and Why It Matters

Let’s begin with understanding what AI governance actually is. 

AI is transforming the way we work, and organizations of all sizes are feeling that shift firsthand. From automating customer service to enhancing productivity with smarter tools, AI’s impact is felt everywhere. 

In fact, when JumpCloud asked IT professionals about their perception of AI’s impact, 33% said they feel AI is having an even greater impact than they originally anticipated. 

This growing awareness underscores the urgency of establishing AI governance right now. When done right, AI governance puts you in the driver’s seat — giving you the control and visibility you need to help your organization harness AI’s potential safely and effectively.

Key Principles of Defining Responsible AI Use 

When crafting an AI governance framework, IT leaders should focus on four key principles:

By prioritizing these principles, you create an AI governance model that balances security with usability, reducing possible risks.

The Entities and Elements of AI Governance 

Effective AI governance is a team effort. It requires input from multiple areas of expertise. If your organization doesn’t have these resources in-house, engaging external resources for some of these responsibilities can be a smart move. Your goal should be to create a well-rounded approach that covers all angles.

• Legal understands regulatory requirements and reviews AI vendor licensing terms. 
• Compliance monitors adherence to internal policies and external regulations.
• Security safeguards sensitive data and protects against potential AI-driven threats. 
• SaaS Management provides full visibility into AI tools being used and helps manage access, data flows, and risk.

The longer you wait to implement AI governance, the harder it becomes to retroactively secure your environment. By starting early, you protect your organization against unforeseen security risks, ensure AI use aligns with your organization’s values and goals, and build trust with customers and partners through responsible AI use. 

And the best part is that you don’t need a massive overhaul to get started! Implementing SaaS management now gives you immediate visibility into AI tools and paves the way for a robust governance program.

The Power of SaaS Management In Governing AI Usage 

AI’s growth is so large that it’s outpacing traditional security practices. Over two-thirds (67%) of IT leaders believe AI is advancing faster than their organization’s ability to protect against associated threats. This is where SaaS management holds its true power. A SaaS management solution helps monitor AI use across the organization, largely due to the fact that AI usage is overwhelmingly accessed via third party SaaS applications. 

That means SaaS management can enable IT teams to:

• Identify authorized and unauthorized AI apps in near real-time. 
• Prevent access to unauthorized apps automatically and redirect users to authorized alternatives. 
• Audit approved SaaS applications to determine use of newly released AI features. 
• Guide responsible user licensing, access, and permissions.

Integrating AI Governance Into Your Daily Ops 

There’s a simple roadmap you can follow as you start to build an effective program for AI governance. Following these steps ensures your organization embeds AI governance into daily workflows, making responsible AI use second nature.

1. Define Your Goals: Identify the business outcomes you’re aiming for. Strike a balance between risk aversion and genuine exploration of new tools. 
2. Address Current AI Usage: Take inventory of the AI tools being used. This includes apps that are built around AI as well as apps that have AI features. 
3. Understand Risk Tolerance: Define what level of risk your organization can handle. Establish a clear understanding of what could go wrong, how likely that is to happen, and what you can do about it. 
4. Establish AI Policies: Set clear guidelines for AI use and communicate them across your organization. Keep them simple and unambiguous, leaving room for individuals and teams to seek exceptions.

Tips for Ongoing Monitoring and Compliance 

AI governance isn’t a one-and-done task. It requires ongoing effort to ensure policies remain effective as technology evolves. Staying vigilant is crucial to keeping AI use secure, responsible, and aligned with organizational goals. 

Consider these best practices: 

Make AI Governance Effective with JumpCloud 

You can’t govern what you can’t see. Without visibility into the AI apps in use and clear policies to manage them, you are left exposed and unable to secure, regulate access, or ensure compliance for these apps. 

With JumpCloud’s SaaS management solution, you can more easily gain full visibility into your organization’s AI ecosystem. JumpCloud empowers IT with the confidence needed to harness AI securely, efficiently, and at scale. It helps you:

• Identify and manage unauthorized AI tools before they become security risks. 
• Automate monitoring and compliance to stay ahead of evolving regulations. 
• Control access and enforce permissions, safeguarding sensitive data. 
• Gain a clear, real-time view of AI adoption across the organization.

Your SaaS Stack Is Growing. Is Your IT Team Keeping Up? 

SaaS sprawl drains budgets, creates security gaps, and makes compliance a nightmare. Simplify and regain control with JumpCloud. Check out SaaS Management: A New Pillar Is Forged to get your program off the ground.