Shadow cloud apps pose unseen risks

It happens in every company. Employees find a cool new online service that makes them more productive. They create free or low-cost accounts on devices they use for work, and get all their friends and colleagues to join up. The new cloud service is great. The interface is a joy to use, it comes with mobile apps, and it spreads like wildfire.

The bad news is that these unauthorized cloud apps and services become part of the organization’s shadow IT, bypassing its IT, compliance, and procurement departments. The app may violate industry regulations or expose the company to significant security risks. Because it’s so entrenched, however, it’s too hard to get users to stop using it.

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