logo
  • South Africa

    South Africa

    Solidarity says Amcu members 'striking themselves into poverty'
    • 2019-02-20 09:59:31 PM
    • 31

    Solidarity says Amcu members 'striking themselves into poverty'

    Nine-year-old boy raped at #Curro
    • 2019-02-20 08:55:22 AM
    • 24

    Nine-year-old boy raped at #Curro

    Zimbabwe company to donate laptops to underprivileged SA learners
    • 2019-02-19 07:32:52 AM
    • 14

    Zimbabwe company to donate laptops to underprivileged SA learners

    Arrested for murder of five people in five towns
    • 2019-02-19 06:24:40 AM
    • 13

    Arrested for murder of five people in five towns

  • World

    World

    Could homophobia and racism explain why it took so long to catch Canadian serial killer?
    • 2019-02-19 09:09:57 AM
    • 24

    Could homophobia and racism explain why it took so long to catch Canadian serial killer?

    Berlin blackout leaves thousands without power, heat for 24 hours
    • 2019-02-20 08:27:50 PM
    • 12

    Berlin blackout leaves thousands without power, heat for 24 hours

    Guaido announces move to freeze Venezuelan officials' Swiss bank accounts
    • 2019-02-20 09:24:58 PM
    • 10

    Guaido announces move to freeze Venezuelan officials' Swiss bank accounts

    Mongolian KFC outlets close after 40 hospitalised for food poisoning
    • 2019-02-19 12:58:38 PM
    • 8

    Mongolian KFC outlets close after 40 hospitalised for food poisoning

  • Business

    Business

    Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone concludes R3bn in investment deals
    • 2019-02-19 10:41:25 AM
    • 61

    Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone concludes R3bn in investment deals

    City Lodge expansion continues despite tourism dip
    • 2019-02-19 10:02:11 AM
    • 58

    City Lodge expansion continues despite tourism dip

    #Budget2019: Cosatu demands that Mboweni preserve jobs at ailing parastatals
    • 2019-02-19 04:35:50 PM
    • 45

    #Budget2019: Cosatu demands that Mboweni preserve jobs at ailing parastatals

    #Budget2019: Mboweni allocates R1.8 billion to implement land-reform projects over the next three years
    • 2019-02-20 02:43:24 PM
    • 35

    #Budget2019: Mboweni allocates R1.8 billion to implement land-reform projects over the next three years

  • Technology
  • Sport

    Sport

    The 19 experts in Caster Semenya's corner at CAS hearing
    • 2019-02-19 06:12:47 PM
    • 19

    The 19 experts in Caster Semenya's corner at CAS hearing

    Mamelodi Sundowns aware of the magnitude of Tuesday night's clash against Polokwane City
    • 2019-02-19 11:23:35 AM
    • 10

    Mamelodi Sundowns aware of the magnitude of Tuesday night's clash against Polokwane City

    Halfpenny back in training, Biggar may be fit for Wales to face England
    • 2019-02-19 09:14:08 PM
    • 10

    Halfpenny back in training, Biggar may be fit for Wales to face England

    Denis Onyango howler sees Sundowns held by Polokwane City
    • 2019-02-19 09:47:43 PM
    • 10

    Denis Onyango howler sees Sundowns held by Polokwane City

  • Entertainment

    Entertainment

    IN MEMES Patty's rendition of AKA's jealousy leaves Twitter in stitches
    • 2019-02-20 11:07:09 AM
    • 43

    IN MEMES Patty's rendition of AKA's jealousy leaves Twitter in stitches

    Bonang claps back hard over 'booty diss'
    • 2019-02-19 11:51:39 AM
    • 40

    Bonang claps back hard over 'booty diss'

    #RIPKarlLagerfeld: Iconic fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld dead at 85 - reports
    • 2019-02-19 02:11:20 PM
    • 29

    #RIPKarlLagerfeld: Iconic fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld dead at 85 - reports

    4 reasons to dive into the hit series 'Siren'
    • 2019-02-19 01:11:06 PM
    • 16

    4 reasons to dive into the hit series 'Siren'

  • Politics

    Politics

    #StateCaptureInquiry: Eskom board chairperson Jabu Mabuza to testify on Friday
    • 2019-02-20 12:22:16 PM
    • 24

    #StateCaptureInquiry: Eskom board chairperson Jabu Mabuza to testify on Friday

    #StateCaptureInquiry: Revelations of Bosasa's corrupt dealings last straw for Makhura
    • 2019-02-19 07:09:52 AM
    • 17

    #StateCaptureInquiry: Revelations of Bosasa's corrupt dealings last straw for Makhura

    #StateCaptureInquiry: Focus on Eskom reports as Jabu Mabuza set to testify
    • 2019-02-20 07:36:35 PM
    • 12

    #StateCaptureInquiry: Focus on Eskom reports as Jabu Mabuza set to testify

    Icasa boss's fate still in balance
    • 2019-02-19 09:32:48 AM
    • 11

    Icasa boss's fate still in balance

  • Opinion

    Opinion

    The life-changing Laureus Sports awards
    • 2019-02-20 01:14:54 PM
    • 11

    The life-changing Laureus Sports awards

    Ditching Eskom in favour of solar power is the patriotic thing to do
    • 2019-02-19 11:21:47 AM
    • 8

    Ditching Eskom in favour of solar power is the patriotic thing to do

    Is this the end of Bosasa?
    • 2019-02-19 11:34:19 AM
    • 6

    Is this the end of Bosasa?

    Both democracy & authoritarianism are on the rise in Africa
    • 2019-02-19 11:45:58 AM
    • 6

    Both democracy & authoritarianism are on the rise in Africa

  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    A R3,000 bill for Valentine's Day burgers
    • 2019-02-19 11:31:49 AM
    • 160

    A R3,000 bill for Valentine's Day burgers

    Photographer earns his stripes with R1.7m SA record
    • 2019-02-20 08:22:15 AM
    • 63

    Photographer earns his stripes with R1.7m SA record

    Veronica Beard AW19 #NYFW hair trends
    • 2019-02-19 12:46:34 PM
    • 32

    Veronica Beard AW19 #NYFW hair trends

    KZN Tourism looks to position region as a top business tourism destination
    • 2019-02-19 05:02:34 PM
    • 26

    KZN Tourism looks to position region as a top business tourism destination

  • Video

    Video

    Watch DR Malinga Sing After Prophet Shepherd Bushiri Gives him A Microphone  In ECG
    • 2019-02-19 08:24:56 AM
    • 32

    Watch DR Malinga Sing After Prophet Shepherd Bushiri Gives him A Microphone In ECG

    Koffee With Karan Season 6 Epi 18 - Tiger Shroff , Ananya Pandey and Tara Sutaria
    • 2019-02-19 01:46:56 AM
    • 26

    Koffee With Karan Season 6 Epi 18 - Tiger Shroff , Ananya Pandey and Tara Sutaria

    Imbewu The Seed Ep 221 - 18/2/2019
    • 2019-02-20 08:15:45 AM
    • 15

    Imbewu The Seed Ep 221 - 18/2/2019

    Leopard captured from Thane mall in five-hour long operation
    • 2019-02-20 04:30:46 PM
    • 13

    Leopard captured from Thane mall in five-hour long operation

Business

http://www.safrica24.com/business/shadow-it-is-it-as-ominous-as-it-sounds/131826-news
Shadow IT: Is it as ominous as it sounds?
  • 2018-11-19 10:22:41 PM
  • 11

Shadow IT: Is it as ominous as it sounds?

CAPE TOWN – The dark, foreboding presence of shadow IT inspires fear in most IT departments, sneaking in to businesses undetected as people download their own, unapproved applications, software and even devices. 

However, is shadow IT as ominous as it sounds? And, if so, what can businesses do to avoid the spread of darkness?

Looming shadow

Shadow IT originated as a means for personnel to bypass IT rules by implementing and using their own applications, software or devices for work purposes. Often, this is because an employee finds their chosen technology works better than the one prescribed by the company’s IT division, whether because it’s familiar, easier to use or – they believe – it achieves better results.

A more common reason for the spread of shadow IT is the length of time it takes for a technology to be approved and rolled out by IT, often exceeding the completion date on the challenge it was intended to solve. Employees, frustrated by waiting for useable tech to be approved, decide to adopt their own instead.

The proliferation of cloud applications (many of them, free) has made it easy for anyone to access and use their own Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions, without having to obtain approval from their IT department or management. While this certainly provides an immediate fix for users, it does pose a potentially huge security risk for businesses.

The dangers

IT has become central to businesses and drives the success of business operations. The prevalence of cybercrime threatens the success of business, as cybercriminals seek and find weaknesses in increasingly complex IT environments.  As businesses become more connected, adding more points of access to their networks, they’ve had to increase their cyber security efforts to ensure the protection of their data, critical business systems and plans.

When users adopt their own technology for business purposes, using company data on unmanaged software and applications, IT is unable to include these within their security net. They cannot protect what they don’t know about, and this provides easy access for cybercriminals to not only steal company data, but to infiltrate the business’s IT environment.

Shadow IT increases the risk of data loss not just due to cybercrime, but also the inability to backup data which is outside of IT’s control. In the event of a system failure on an unsanctioned application, valuable company data can be lost, and there is no recourse.

It can also be inefficient, despite efficiency being a primary reason for users to adopt shadow IT. Not all technologies are able to integrate with existing systems, which can make it harder for users to complete their tasks.

Shadow IT becomes more than just an IT concern. Due to the security risks to the company as well as the inefficiencies created, it becomes a business concern - one which management needs to address.

How to prevent shadow IT

For many businesses, shadow IT is forbidden. However, it’s not always possible to enforce this, as it’s impossible to control what you don’t know about.

In order to enforce a ban on shadow IT, businesses need to understand the risks and have a complete birds eye view of their environment. Full understanding of the risks requires knowing precisely what is contained within the business IT environment, how it is accessed and whether or not it is fully functional and efficient.

Businesses need to conduct an audit to gain full visibility of their environment, documenting every system, application and tool, whether authorised or not. They can then decide which technologies to adopt and which to eliminate, ensuring all are properly secured and protected.

An accurate audit, however, requires full disclosure, and employees will need to own up to any and all unauthorised technologies they could be using. If the technology offers an improvement on existing technology, it may well be adopted and incorporated into the environment. However, those that pose more risks than rewards will need to be banned.

Once they know what they have, businesses will need to enforce governance. They will need to determine a framework to adopt, communicate this to all employees, fully explaining the risks and consequences of failure to adhere, and ensure this is maintained. Regular checks and audits will be required to constantly ensure no unauthorised technology is added to the environment at any time.

How to enable shadow IT

Some businesses enjoy the agility and freedom of choice offered by adopting shadow IT. Even so, to avoid risk to the business, there still needs to be proper controls in place.

In these cases, the businesses need to outline the risks and define a policy for the quick approval and incorporation of user-chosen technologies. The policy needs to be regularly updated and communicated to all staff. Employees will also need to ensure they keep the business informed of any technology they have adopted or wish to adopt, so that IT can put the necessary security measures in place, as well as enable integration with existing technologies.

There are many APIs available for cloud technologies, today, which help to enable integration with existing environments, and speeds up the process of adoption. However, there are some technologies which will prove unsuitable. In these cases, it opens up the door for communication between IT and the business, enabling a collaboration on choosing the right alternative technology to meet the business’s needs.

Security policies will need to be strict, however, and employees will need to have a clear understanding of the risks and their role in preventing risk.

Shedding light on the shadow

Shadow IT seems set to stay, in some form or another and depending on how businesses adopt it. However, the market will need a strategy around shadow IT that CIOs and CEOs will need to address, in one way or the other.

Rohit Andani is senior cybersecurity consultant at In2IT.

The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media.

BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE

  • Shadow IT: Is it as ominous as it sounds?
  • Shadow IT: Is it as ominous as it sounds?
  • Shadow IT: Is it as ominous as it sounds?

Related News

Now is the time to upskill youth in readiness for 4IR – Survé
  • 2019-02-23 07:41:56 PM

Now is the time to upskill youth in readiness for 4IR – Survé

Alibaba Chief Executive rules out layoffs this year
  • 2019-02-23 06:14:02 PM

Alibaba Chief Executive rules out layoffs this year

JPMorgan trades banker offices for shared desks
  • 2019-02-23 05:05:40 PM

JPMorgan trades banker offices for shared desks

Why the 'loud silence' on wastage, corruption, fruitless expenditure in #Budget2019?
  • 2019-02-23 04:07:04 PM

Why the 'loud silence' on wastage, corruption, fruitless expenditure in #Budget2019?

Summary: The DA's 6-point plan to develop small business in SA
  • 2019-02-23 04:01:06 PM

Summary: The DA's 6-point plan to develop small business in SA

10X Investments takes on Mboweni's #Budget2019
  • 2019-02-21 08:09:14 AM
  • 182

10X Investments takes on Mboweni's #Budget2019

IPP contracts to reach R146.9bn; Eskom 'must revive solar panel roll-out'
  • 2019-02-21 03:09:02 PM
  • 111

IPP contracts to reach R146.9bn; Eskom 'must revive solar panel roll-out'

Brazilian chicken ban call 'opportunistic'
  • 2019-02-21 04:36:54 PM
  • 41

Brazilian chicken ban call 'opportunistic'

Blind and Deaf Society bankrupt after R12m theft
  • 2019-02-22 09:59:01 AM
  • 40

Blind and Deaf Society bankrupt after R12m theft

Budget hot seat more an Eskom electric chair
  • 2019-02-21 04:16:48 AM
  • 35

Budget hot seat more an Eskom electric chair

Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone concludes R3bn in investment deals
  • 2019-02-19 10:41:25 AM
  • 61

Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone concludes R3bn in investment deals

City Lodge expansion continues despite tourism dip
  • 2019-02-19 10:02:11 AM
  • 58

City Lodge expansion continues despite tourism dip

#Budget2019: Cosatu demands that Mboweni preserve jobs at ailing parastatals
  • 2019-02-19 04:35:50 PM
  • 45

#Budget2019: Cosatu demands that Mboweni preserve jobs at ailing parastatals

Latest News

Bayern win to put pressure on leaders Dortmund
Sport
  • 2019-02-23 11:16:47 PM
  • 0

Bayern win to put pressure on leaders Dortmund

Vidya Balan opens up on cash for tweet sting operation
Video
  • 2019-02-23 11:06:34 PM
  • 2

Vidya Balan opens up on cash for tweet sting operation

Gatland hails Welsh players after downing England
Sport
  • 2019-02-23 10:57:43 PM
  • 4

Gatland hails Welsh players after downing England

Ruthless Pirates move into second spot after AmaZulu thumping
Sport
  • 2019-02-23 10:29:36 PM
  • 1

Ruthless Pirates move into second spot after AmaZulu thumping

Judge sets $1 million bail for R Kelly in sexual assault case
World
  • 2019-02-23 10:29:22 PM
  • 0

Judge sets $1 million bail for R Kelly in sexual assault case

#Elections2019: GOOD aims to make it into the top 5 parties - De Lille
Politics
  • 2019-02-23 10:12:11 PM
  • 4

#Elections2019: GOOD aims to make it into the top 5 parties - De Lille

Kim, Trump impersonators draw ire of Vietnam's authorities
World
  • 2019-02-23 10:09:42 PM
  • 3

Kim, Trump impersonators draw ire of Vietnam's authorities

SA Rugby in contract overhaul to stem talent drain
Sport
  • 2019-02-23 10:02:42 PM
  • 4

SA Rugby in contract overhaul to stem talent drain

ANC spin doctor Zizi Kodwa accused of rape - reports
South Africa
  • 2019-02-23 10:00:55 PM
  • 4

ANC spin doctor Zizi Kodwa accused of rape - reports

Jazz veteran Dorothy Masuka dies
South Africa
  • 2019-02-23 10:00:55 PM
  • 3

Jazz veteran Dorothy Masuka dies

Top ANC man accused of rape
Politics
  • 2019-02-23 09:59:37 PM
  • 3

Top ANC man accused of rape

Wales stun England in Six Nations
Sport
  • 2019-02-23 09:42:31 PM
  • 3

Wales stun England in Six Nations

Mom Reunites with Daughter on Walmart Grocery Run
Video
  • 2019-02-23 09:17:06 PM
  • 5

Mom Reunites with Daughter on Walmart Grocery Run

Opec's next headache is Brazil's burgeoning crude output
Business
  • 2019-02-23 09:09:51 PM
  • 3

Opec's next headache is Brazil's burgeoning crude output

10-man Sundowns hold Wits
Sport
  • 2019-02-23 09:08:58 PM
  • 2

10-man Sundowns hold Wits

Mbappe hits brace as PSG beat Nimes
Sport
  • 2019-02-23 09:02:14 PM
  • 3

Mbappe hits brace as PSG beat Nimes

IN VIDEOS: Luxury home of Pablo Escobar is blasted into dust
World
  • 2019-02-23 08:59:51 PM
  • 3

IN VIDEOS: Luxury home of Pablo Escobar is blasted into dust

Veteran musician Dorothy Masuka has died
Entertainment
  • 2019-02-23 08:37:01 PM
  • 6

Veteran musician Dorothy Masuka has died

Messi scores three as Barcelona beat Seville
Sport
  • 2019-02-23 08:35:21 PM
  • 4

Messi scores three as Barcelona beat Seville

10-man Sundowns drop points as Wits maintain lead
Sport
  • 2019-02-23 08:23:14 PM
  • 4

10-man Sundowns drop points as Wits maintain lead

Follow

Popular

  • Radical business forum targets 'Indian schools' in Durban
    Business

    Radical business forum targets 'Indian schools' in Durban

  • Newlands is more than just a sports stadium
    Lifestyle

    Newlands is more than just a sports stadium

  • Band Khirkiyan | Last Episode | Hum TV Drama | 22 February 2019
    Video

    Band Khirkiyan | Last Episode | Hum TV Drama | 22 February 2019

  • Hetmeyr hundred sets up West Indies win to level England series
    Sport

    Hetmeyr hundred sets up West Indies win to level England series

  • SA Rugby revamps contract model to keep talent in the country
    Sport

    SA Rugby revamps contract model to keep talent in the country

  • #ToastDay: 5 ways to make your toast more exciting
    Lifestyle

    #ToastDay: 5 ways to make your toast more exciting

  • Swede sentenced for royal jewels heist worth R98m
    World

    Swede sentenced for royal jewels heist worth R98m

  • 10 die, 6 hurt in illegal firecracker factory in north India
    World

    10 die, 6 hurt in illegal firecracker factory in north India

  • Sars still plagued by significant inefficiencies
    Business

    Sars still plagued by significant inefficiencies

  • Tesla rolls out Model 3 in China ahead of schedule in sales push
    Business

    Tesla rolls out Model 3 in China ahead of schedule in sales push

  • Folau makes Aussie history as Waratahs hold off Sunwolves in Tokyo thriller
    Sport

    Folau makes Aussie history as Waratahs hold off Sunwolves in Tokyo thriller

  • Freight trains Wits and Sundowns collide: three key match-ups
    Sport

    Freight trains Wits and Sundowns collide: three key match-ups

  • Sri Lanka claim historic Test series win
    Sport

    Sri Lanka claim historic Test series win

  • Mzansi reacts to R Kelly's arrest on 'multiple charges of sexual abuse'
    Entertainment

    Mzansi reacts to R Kelly's arrest on 'multiple charges of sexual abuse'

  • Lawrence Mrwebi offended by being deemed unfit to hold office
    Politics

    Lawrence Mrwebi offended by being deemed unfit to hold office

safrica24.com

safrica24.com © 2017 Contact Us