Shadow IT is the use of IT-related hardware or software by a department or individual without the knowledge of the IT or security group within the organization. e.g
Employees using personal cloud storage services (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive) to store and share work-related files. Or Employees (BYOD) to work and connecting them to the corporate network without IT knowledge etc.
While shadow IT can offer agility and flexibility for individual users or departments, it also presents several risks and challenges for organizations, e.g. it may lack adequate security controls, leaving sensitive data vulnerable to breaches or leaks. etc
To mitigate the risks, organizations should implement strategies such as establishing clear IT policies, providing alternative approved solutions, conducting employee training on cybersecurity best practices, and deploying technology solutions like Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) to monitor and control cloud usage.