# What is Scout?

Scout finds APIs, enforces customizable API classification, and forwards only relevant data (least privilege principle) to Redocly.

The key benefits of Scout:

- Identifies shadow data.
- Automates API catalog updates.
- Makes compliance a breeze.
- Efficient because it integrates directly with Git source control.
- Shift left to catch problems fast before they are costly.

## How does Scout work?

Scout runs as an agent either from Redocly's cloud or inside of your infrastructure.

![scout system diagram](/content-assets/scout-system-71b99fc261c8c278.png)

## Why Scout?

The key goal of Scout is to make APIs easier to discover and classify.
This helps organizations embrace platform-thinking in their API initiatives.
Scout reduces time-to-launch an API catalog dramatically by automating data ingestion while enforcing data integrity.