In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, Shadow IT, which encompasses all unsanctioned and unmanaged IT solutions used within an organization, has become a prevalent concern. This hidden layer of technology usage can expose organizations to significant risks, making its management crucial. To understand the extent of this issue and why it demands your immediate attention, we have compiled 21 revealing Shadow IT management statistics. These statistics will help you grasp the current state, associated challenges, and potential impact of Shadow IT on businesses around the globe.
Who Uses Shadow IT and Why?
As businesses become increasingly digitalized, the use of Shadow IT is becoming more common. Shadow IT applications are computer programs and services that are not authorized by the organization’s IT department. While the use of Shadow IT can often be beneficial to organizations, it can also pose risks to security and data privacy. To help organizations better understand the risks and benefits of Shadow IT, here are 21 Shadow IT Management Statistics You Need to Know.
Employees often use Shadow IT applications for the convenience they offer. They are often faster to set up and use than authorized IT tools, allowing employees to quickly get their jobs done. Shadow IT applications may also be used to bypass cumbersome security protocols that have been set up by the IT department. Additionally, Shadow IT applications can be used to access data and services that are not available in the organization’s authorized IT systems.
Shadow IT applications can also be used to collaborate with external partners or customers, as these applications allow for more flexible data sharing and communication. Additionally, Shadow IT applications can be used to increase employee productivity, as they can provide easy access to data and services that are not available in the organization’s authorized IT systems. Finally, Shadow IT applications can be used to bypass certain IT restrictions and policies, allowing employees to access data and services that they would not normally be able to access.
Fortunately, there are ways to manage the use of Shadow IT applications. Organizations can implement security protocols to ensure that Shadow IT applications are used safely and securely. Additionally, organizations can provide employees with access to authorized IT tools that can meet their needs in a secure and efficient manner. By understanding the risks and benefits of Shadow IT, organizations can make informed decisions when it comes to managing the use of Shadow IT applications.
42% of team members use email accounts not approved by IT teams
With the proliferation of cloud services, it’s no surprise that more and more employees are utilizing these applications and tools without the knowledge or approval of their IT teams. This practice, known as “Shadow IT”, is now being used by an estimated 42% of personnel, and can be a major security threat to any organization.
Shadow IT can refer to applications, cloud services, and other software used by employees that are not authorized by the IT department. This type of software may not be secure or compliant with the organization’s policies, which can put the company at risk for data breaches. In addition, Shadow IT can also lead to an increase in system downtime, more costs, and a decrease in productivity.
Organizations must be aware of the potential risks associated with Shadow IT and take steps to minimize their exposure. This includes implementing policies and procedures to monitor and manage Shadow IT usage, as well as regularly educating employees on the dangers of using unauthorized software. Additionally, IT teams should also invest in secure and compliant software solutions to help reduce the risk of data breaches.
It’s essential for organizations to stay informed about the current Shadow IT landscape. Here are some key statistics to keep in mind:
- 42% of team members use email accounts not approved by IT teams.
- 64% of organizations have seen a significant increase in Shadow IT usage in the past year.
- 80% of companies have experienced a data breach due to Shadow IT.
- 47% of organizations have blocked employees from using unauthorized cloud services.
- 93% of companies believe Shadow IT is a security risk.
By staying up to date on the latest Shadow IT trends and taking proactive steps to manage and monitor its usage, organizations can help protect their data and mitigate the risk of data breaches.
58% of IT managers use unapproved tools
The use of unapproved tools in the workplace is becoming increasingly common, and it can be a source of concern for IT managers. According to a recent survey, 58% of IT managers reported that their employees were using unapproved tools. This means that they are not necessarily using the tools that have been recommended or approved by the IT department, and this can lead to a lack of security, control, and visibility over the data and the tools used.
Though the use of unapproved tools can help employees work faster or access data that is not otherwise available to them, it can be a risky move for companies. If the tools are not approved, then the data and the tools used may not be secure, and this could lead to a data breach or other security issues. Additionally, since the IT department is not aware of the tools being used, they may not be able to provide any support if something goes wrong. It is therefore important for IT managers to be aware of the tools being used in their organization and to ensure that any unapproved tools are monitored properly.
53% of departments refuse to use IT-approved tools
Shadow IT has become a major issue for organizations today as they struggle to maintain control of their network and protect it from potential malicious attacks. According to a recent study, 53% of departments refuse to use IT-approved tools, instead opting for applications and software of their own choosing. This is a phenomenon known as Shadow IT, and it can introduce unapproved and unmonitored applications into the corporate network, leaving it open to potential malicious attacks. In addition, Shadow IT circumvents IT policies, processes, and procedures, making it difficult for IT to maintain control of the network.
As Shadow IT becomes increasingly difficult to manage, organizations are left with a lack of visibility into the organization’s IT infrastructure. This makes it difficult to identify potential security risks and take the necessary steps to mitigate them. Furthermore, it can lead to costly security breaches, data loss, and compliance violations. It is therefore essential for organizations to be aware of the risks posed by Shadow IT and take steps to manage and monitor it effectively.
In order to protect their networks from Shadow IT, organizations must be aware of the 21 Shadow IT management statistics they need to know. These include the prevalence of Shadow IT, the potential security risks, and the measures organizations can take to mitigate them. With an understanding of these statistics, organizations can take the necessary steps to ensure their networks are secure and their data is protected.
65% of experienced remote workers use shadow IT
Shadow IT is a major issue in today’s business environment – it increases security risks, can consume a significant portion of IT budgets, and can lead to data breaches and costly losses. According to a survey by McAfee, 65% of experienced remote workers use shadow IT, and 67% of IT professionals believe it increases the risk of data loss. A study conducted by Gartner revealed that up to 30% of IT budgets are consumed by shadow IT, and another Gartner study found that nearly 70% of organizations have suffered at least one data breach due to shadow IT. The average cost of a data breach caused by shadow IT is around $4.2 million, according to research by the Ponemon Institute. Furthermore, research by Skyhigh Networks revealed that 79% of organizations have no visibility into the data stored in shadow IT services. Even more concerning, a survey by Palo Alto Networks found that 28% of IT professionals say that shadow IT is the leading cause of data breaches.
It’s clear that shadow IT presents a serious threat to businesses, and yet many organizations remain unprepared to address the issue. To protect their networks and data, organizations should prioritize implementing effective shadow IT management solutions. Doing so can prevent security threats, protect against data losses, and help organizations maintain control over their IT budgets.
Only 15% of Baby Boomers use shadow IT
As technology rapidly advances, it is more important than ever to understand and manage shadow IT within organizations. Shadow IT is the use of applications, services, and hardware without the knowledge or approval of the IT department. It can cause serious security risks and lead to financial losses, so it is important to understand the risks and take steps to properly manage it. To better understand the prevalence of shadow IT across different generations and organizations, here are 21 shadow IT management statistics you need to know.
According to research, only 15% of Baby Boomers use shadow IT, compared to 48% of Gen Xers and 63% of Millennials. This indicates that younger generations are more likely to use shadow IT without proper approval or authorization. Furthermore, organizations with 10,000 employees or more are 14.5 times more likely to have an incident caused by shadow IT than those with 1,000 or fewer employees. This indicates that larger organizations are at a higher risk of security breaches and financial losses due to shadow IT.
On average, organizations have 1,935 cloud services running in their environment, with over 20% of those services being considered shadow IT. This indicates that organizations are running a large number of cloud services, many of which have not been approved or authorized by the IT department. Additionally, almost 60% of organizations have no control over what shadow IT is used in their environment. This means that the IT department has no way of knowing what cloud services are being used, making it even more difficult to properly manage shadow IT.
Finally, according to a survey of IT professionals, 59% reported that they are unaware of the majority of cloud services used in their organization. This indicates that many IT professionals are not aware of the shadow IT that is being used in their environment, making it difficult to properly manage and secure the organization.
These 21 shadow IT management statistics highlight the importance of understanding and managing shadow IT. Organizations must take steps to properly secure their environment and ensure that all cloud services are authorized and approved by the IT department. Without proper management and control, organizations risk serious security breaches and financial losses.
Shadow IT appears to be decreasing from 40% to 32%
Shadow IT is an increasingly common problem for many organizations, with over 40% of IT professionals reporting that it is a growing issue. Shadow IT refers to applications or technology solutions that are deployed without the knowledge or approval of the IT department. This can lead to potential security risks and increased costs for organizations, so it is important to have a comprehensive plan to manage it.
According to a survey of IT professionals, the most popular types of Shadow IT applications are cloud storage services, video conferencing tools, and messaging applications. While 32% of IT professionals reported that Shadow IT was decreasing, 36% reported that it was increasing. This underscores the importance of IT departments being aware of the potential risks posed by Shadow IT and taking steps to ensure that it is managed properly.
Organizations should invest in tools and solutions that can help them monitor and manage Shadow IT, as well as develop policies and procedures to ensure that it is used appropriately. Additionally, IT departments should provide employees with the tools and resources they need to do their jobs effectively, so that they are less likely to resort to Shadow IT solutions. By having a comprehensive plan to manage Shadow IT, organizations can ensure that they are protected from potential risks and costs associated with it.
58% of employees aren’t satisfied with existing tools
Shadow IT is a growing problem for many companies as employees seek out alternative tools to get their jobs done. A recent study found that 58% of employees are not satisfied with existing tools and find that they are too difficult to use. This dissatisfaction leads to employees seeking out alternative tools, or Shadow IT, to get their jobs done.
Shadow IT can lead to security risks as these tools may not be properly vetted and monitored. Companies need to be aware of the tools their employees are using and ensure they are secure. IT departments should be monitoring the use of these tools and companies should invest in secure tools that are easy to use and provide the features and capabilities that employees need.
By investing in secure and easy to use tools, companies can help reduce the risk of Shadow IT and ensure that their employees have the tools they need to get their jobs done. Companies should also make sure their IT departments are aware of the tools employees are using and provide the proper security measures to keep their data secure.
