Shadow IT, or the unauthorized use of IT systems and services, has become a prevalent phenomenon as remote work and reliance on technology increase. This trend involves employees using non-approved IT tools to access, store, or share corporate data, or using approved tools in ways not authorized by their IT departments. This behavior often stems from an employee's desire for convenience, efficiency, or the ability to use familiar tools, overcoming perceived inadequacies in the organizations' provided resources.
## The Risks and Appeal of 'Shadow IT'
### Growing Popularity
According to recent studies, a significant 80% of employees admit to using Shadow IT to enhance their productivity, using personal devices or preferred software over company-sanctioned IT solutions. The general consensus among these employees is that this allows them to work more efficiently.
### Insights from Industry Experts
- **Kirimgeray Kirimli, President of Flatiron Software**: Kirimli highlights that although Shadow IT can seem like a quick fix for faster project delivery, its cons—such as compromised safety standards and inefficient resource utilization—are substantial and too significant to overlook.
- **Christopher Budd, Director of Threat Intelligence at Sophos Cybersecurity**: Budd emphasizes that the risks associated with Shadow IT are substantial, including unsecured data storage, use of unvented applications, and heightened vulnerability to malicious software, which could lead to severe data loss.
- **Uzi Dvir, Chief Information Officer at WalkMe**: Dvir notes the undeniable benefits that such tools can provide to both employees and employers in terms of productivity and efficiency. However, he acknowledges the problem lies in the necessity for employees to seek out these unauthorized solutions due to deficiencies in the provided technological tools.
- **Vineet Jain, Co-founder and CEO of Egnyte**: Jain discusses how the convenience of Shadow IT continues to allure employees, particularly before the mainstream adoption of technologies such as cloud computing.
- **Nicolas Desmarais, Chair and CEO of AppDirect**: Desmarais adds a new dimension to the issue with the introduction of AI, indicating that the incorporation of AI has escalated the risks associated with Shadow IT, with sensitive corporate information potentially being exposed to unregulated, publicly accessible AI tools.
## Strategies to Manage 'Shadow IT'
### Enhanced Visibility
Recognizing and understanding the true landscape of employee engagement with IT resources is crucial. Visibility into actual user behavior is key to formulating effective strategies to mitigate the risks associated with Shadow IT.
### IT Enablement Over Enforcement
Promoting a culture of transparency and support rather than strict enforcement can help manage the risks associated with Shadow IT. Providing the right tools that meet the needs of employees can reduce their need to seek out unauthorized alternatives.
### Technological Adaptations
Incorporating AI-based Digital Adoption Platforms (DAPs) can offer significant assistance. These platforms help IT departments gain the necessary visibility and manage unauthorized IT usage effectively
The challenge of Shadow IT is not in its elimination, but in understanding and strategically managing it. By providing appropriate resources and ensuring visibility, IT departments can harness the benefits while mitigating the risks of Shadow IT and emerging Shadow AI.