Data security is only as strong as an enterprise’s weakest vulnerability. Today, IT officers must not only protect company networks against external threats “ but also internal ones.
For example, the often-overlooked danger of shadow IT can lead to disaster if left unchecked. Fortunately, technology leaders can stop the slow creep of shadow IT initiated by likely well-meaning, but misguided employees.
With awareness and a plan, you can reduce or eliminate the proliferation of shadow IT that is faced by most enterprises.
Is Your Network Safe?
Most often, reporters sensationalize harrowing stories of savvy external malicious actors when network breaches occur. However, it’s more likely that a breach took place due to unintentional employee oversight. Typically, internal oversights fly below the radar of IT monitoring.
Employee oversights can range from using personal apps on company networks to downloading and installing unauthorized productivity applications. It only takes one misstep to expose an entire network.
Shadow IT is especially perilous because unauthorized applications can unintentionally expose networks to vulnerability. The most disheartening part about shadow IT is that it’s a threat that originates from within.
If a breach does occur, shadow IT can hamper forensic investigations. In some instances, the unauthorized technology can set the stage for the perfect cybercrime.
The Problem With Shadow IT Applications
Most employees don’t realize that they are placing an enterprise network at risk when they download and install unvetted applications. Furthermore, the temptation to do so is hard to resist.
Often, an employee will discover a free software trial as they search for information online. In many cases, they can continue to use the software for free with limited functionality. For more advanced features, workers need only pay a nominal subscription fee.
From an employee’s perspective, it’s a no-brainer. Unfortunately, the same application that makes an employee’s life a little easier can compromise the integrity of an entire network.
Unauthorized applications can diminish network performance. Moreover, software that’s not vetted by the IT department may contain built-in vulnerabilities. A productivity application that looks and performs excellently may contain code that allows unauthorized parties to compromise proprietary information.
Shadow IT Diminishes Long-Term Organizational Performance
Employees typically download and install shadow IT to save time and boost productivity. However, non-technical employees do not have the skill or time to test a program relentlessly to make sure that it’s safe to deploy on an enterprise network.
What’s worse is that if an employee finds a solution that works, they’re likely to share that solution with their peers. Resultantly, a growing number of employees may start installing shadow IT to make their jobs easier.
Soliant Consulting’s Senior Solutions Architect, Aubrey Spath, explains, They [employees] end up spending a significant amount of time setting up technology they’re unfamiliar with and manipulating their processes and data to work within it. When they need to make a tweak to these inputs, they may end up spending hours of effort, whereas a member of the IT team could resolve the change in mere minutes. Furthermore, having implemented the solution on their own without guidance from IT, they have no assurance that the solution will even deliver the capabilities or productivity they hoped for.
Excessive shadow IT can consume network resources and deteriorate communication between staff members and IT personnel. Why should employees go to IT if they can find solutions on their own?
This phenomenon undermines one of the primary roles of the information technology department to provide solutions that support enterprise workflow. If no one is talking to IT, the department has no way to stay on top of organizational needs.
Maintain Your Network’s Integrity
Unauthorized applications make it difficult for IT leaders to maintain the integrity of networks. Administrators should audit networks regularly for shadow IT threats.
More importantly, IT leaders need to engage staff members regularly. It’s essential to stay informed about the needs of workers. If you don’t, they’ll find a solution on their own.
