Shadow IT is a concept whereby an organization’s employees use technology, services or systems without the knowledge of or approval from the IT department. It has arisen due to several reasons:

• Advances in cloud computing, which involve the usage of applications or sharing of data in public environments previously owned by IT.
• The evolution of complex consumer technology, which has helped many lay people become familiar with how applications and processes work.
• Cumbersome IT requirements and lack of flexibility in meeting user needs.
• Overly restrictive security requirements which infringe upon employee productivity.

It’s clear that shadow IT has both advantages and drawbacks, and it needs a well-defined structure for businesses to properly control it.

This Shadow IT policy from TechRepublic Premium provides guidelines for the appropriate use of shadow IT, explains the restrictions that will apply to it, and defines elements pertaining to employee and IT department responsibilities.