Organizations are under pressure to innovate and transform digitally. This urgency often leads to Shadow IT systems and applications being used without IT department approval.
While the purpose of shadow IT is to drive efficiency and creativity, this introduces significant security vulnerabilities, such as data leaks, regulatory non-compliance and security risks.
A high-profile example is the 2019 Capital One data breach, attributed in part to a misconfigured AWS setup often found in Shadow IT scenarios.
This blog post offers some practical strategies for implementing shadow IT controls to secure your organization from these unmanaged application risks without hindering innovation.
Understanding Shadow IT and Its Risks
Shadow IT refers to all unauthorized software, devices, and services within an organization. Typical examples include cloud storage solutions, collaboration platforms, and various Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings. While these tools can enhance productivity, they often lead to:
- Data Security Risks: Unsecured applications increase the likelihood of breaches.
- Compliance Issues: Unauthorized software usage can result in non-compliance with standards like GDPR and HIPAA.
- Operational Inefficiencies: A lack of awareness about Shadow IT can lead to resource mismanagement and duplicated efforts.
Steps to Implement Shadow IT Controls
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Organizations can mitigate shadow IT risks by following these steps:
Conduct a Thorough IT Audit
You can start by cataloging all software and services in use to identify potential risks and set a baseline for ongoing audits.
Deploy a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
Utilize CASBs to gain visibility and control over cloud application usage and ensure secure access.
Educate and Support Employees
Provide training to help employees make informed choices about software use, focusing on security best practices and company policies.
Develop Clear IT Governance Policies
Establish guidelines for technology usage, including procedures for software procurement and defined roles for IT personnel and users. You Utilize Automated Monitoring Tools Implement tools to automatically detect unauthorized applications, thus enabling swift threat management.
Case Study: Addressing Vulnerabilities in Unapproved Applications
Let’s imagine a scenario involving a security flaw in a popular collaboration tool, which could expose sensitive information. Organizations can use scripts to identify and fix these vulnerabilities:
The above code snippet is a classic case of vulnerable code because it blindly checks websites without any safety measures, such as it doesn’t verify ID badges (no URL validation) and keeps no visitor logs (no error tracking).
Key Strategies to Deal With Shadow IT Controls
Organizations can effectively manage the challenges posed by Shadow IT through proactive strategies.
Key actions include:
- Regular IT audits to ensure comprehensive visibility of applications. Implementing CASBs for enhanced cloud oversight.
- Raising awareness among employees regarding the security implications of unauthorized software.
- Consider partnering with services like Red Team assessments, penetration testing, and API scanning from reputable security firms.
Conclusion
On a final note, it is essential to strike a balance between innovation and security oversight, so organizations can thrive in a digital-first world, minimizing the risks associated with Shadow IT.
