There are too many risks involved with Shadow IT that cannot be ignored. CASB Shadow IT Solutions help enterprises limit data exposures by introducing restricted user access.
3 Important Points About Shadow IT
The IT teams in an enterprise build and implement software systems that are used for internal operations. They also deploy many cloud-based products and services that help them to make their tasks simple, quick and easy. Many such useful software purchases are done by the IT department of the enterprises. Statistics show that at least 25% of the spending is dedicated to such cloud purchases. But, even with the IT department investing in the infrastructure, many of its employees and users happen to directly download and use outside apps and solutions for easing out their tasks. The IT team remains unaware of these downloaded apps and software etc., and this gives rise to a great menace what is known as Shadow IT.
1. What Actually Is Shadow IT?
Shadow IT, also referred to as Bring Your Own Cloud (BYOC), is definitely not supported by the IT department and is a risk for organizations since they are the unsanctioned apps. While not all the downloaded apps may be harmful, but ultimately, the way each employee uses them defines the adverse effects it may have on the data security of the enterprise. The major problem behind Shadow IT implications is that they are mostly unintentional; not every user downloads an app or software from cloud with an intention to harm his company. In fact, more of than not, such efforts are backed by good intent which is to increase work productivity; thus trapping employees into a vicious circle too; where they think good but sometimes it all goes for a toss. When there is an existence of Shadow IT, then it becomes pertinent that enterprises bring in internal security modules so that these unsanctioned apps do not pose risk. With the downloading of such apps, there are chances that viruses may enter into the system or accidental/intentional leakage risks hover around.
2. Who Downloads Unsanctioned Apps As To Give Rise To Shadow IT?
In the current scenario, almost everyone downloads Shadow IT apps. The employees in an organization are generally unaware of the risks associated with downloading such apps. Whenever they need some better software solutions other than the one provided by the IT department, they start to use unsanctioned apps for making their tasks simpler. Also, following proper protocols of IT departments seem cumbersome to the employees since they have to wait for indefinite periods to get their apps sanctioned. The time period for completion of their projects is less and the work burden gets increased. One more aspect is that of flexibility. The employees work from their homes and access data from any location as per their convenience usually resulting in downloading of such apps. Hence, they resort to Shadow IT.
3. How Does Shadow IT Affect Businesses?
When the IT team is relatively small, then it becomes a daunting task for them to constantly monitor and inspect the software, apps, and system which the employees have downloaded or are using. Total blocking of the system definitely helps, but not in the long run. It will severely hamper the work processes and lower the productivity levels taking away the flexibility of the cloud environment. Hence, it is totally necessary to strike the right balance between user access and cloud security rights. This can be effectively done through policies and restrictions imposed on employees through CASB solutions. The efficient CASB Shadow IT solutions help enterprises to ensure cloud security, and at the same time, allow for full benefits of cloud technology.
Though Shadow IT may not be appreciated, it will remain in an enterprise as long as work flexibility is required. This phenomenon has become quite the norm in organizations as employees find it easy to download and use cloud apps. Blocking of such apps totally is never a solution as it hampers work productivity. The best way out of it is to determine the ways to protect the losses that may result from this free access. This is where CASB solution comes into the picture for the enterprises to attain cloud security.
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