Spring Cloud Config is an open-source tool that provides server and client-side support for externalized configuration in distributed systems. It enables applications to manage and access configuration properties stored in a central location, such as a Git repository, making it easier to maintain consistency across environments. By separating configuration from code, Spring Cloud Config enhances security, scalability, and flexibility, allowing administrators to update configuration without redeploying applications. This is especially useful in cloud-native and microservices architectures, where managing configuration centrally helps prevent misconfigurations and reduces operational risks.