Ritchie Farr
With countless apps and tools at our fingertips, it’s easy for data to end up in unexpected places. Shadow IT—unapproved tools and software used by employees—can make it harder than ever to keep track of your business information. So, do you really know where all your data is right now? If you’re not sure, it might be time to shine a light on Shadow IT.
Shadow IT is a quiet but growing challenge for businesses everywhere. In today’s fast-paced digital world, your team might find themselves grabbing free tools and apps on the fly, thinking it’s a convenient solution for quick file-sharing or communication. But these “convenient” tools can quickly spiral into a serious security issue.
Simply put, Shadow IT is when employees use personal apps or unapproved software without the IT department’s approval. It seems harmless at first—after all, who wouldn’t want to make their tasks a bit easier? But without realizing it, employees can create vulnerabilities that put your entire organisation’s security at risk.
Here’s why Shadow IT should be on your radar:
Data Exposure: Unapproved apps and tools can open up cracks in your data security. Just one overlooked app could expose sensitive information to the wrong people in seconds.
Loss of Control: If an employee leaves the company, what happens to the data they accessed through these unapproved tools? In many cases, it’s unclear who controls it, leaving your business open to data loss or unauthorized access.
Consider these questions:
Do you know all the tools your team uses daily?
Are you certain about where your business’s data resides?
Who truly holds control over that data—you, or individual employees?
If you don’t have clear answers, you may have blind spots in your IT strategy that could be putting your business at risk.
With our managed IT services, you can regain full control over your data. We’ll work with you to establish secure, approved tools through Microsoft 365, ensuring your team has everything they need to work safely and efficiently. No shortcuts, no surprises—just secure, unified access to the tools they need.
Shadow IT doesn’t have to be a mystery. Let us help keep your data safe and your team on track.
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