What is shadow IT?

Shadow IT emerges when employees independently procure IT resources, often due to the ease of accessing cloud-based solutions, bypassing traditional IT departments and creating security and compliance challenges for organizations. The phenomenon leads to increased risks such as data breaches and operational inefficiencies, as unmonitored infrastructure can proliferate, resulting in unpredictable costs. To mitigate these risks, companies can employ strategies like data security governance and shadow IT discovery tools to ensure compliance and control. A practical solution is the use of runbooks, which automate routine tasks and provide a self-service model allowing employees to meet their IT needs without bypassing governance structures, thus balancing user convenience with organizational control and security.