What is Shadow IT?

what is shadow it

Shadow IT is the collective term used to classify all information technology applications and infrastructure that is used in the workplace without authorization of the company’s IT department. This includes software, web applications/servers, hardware, and cloud technologies. 

Employees often bring in applications into the company that they believe will help them achieve their tasks or complete their projects better. This is often the case as well. Shadow IT is often managed and utilized by employees to improve productivity and efficiency. This is where the gray area part comes in.

Why is Shadow IT a Gray Area

Shadow IT is considered a gray area because although the intentions and purpose of the shadow IT brought in are to increase productivity, there is also a security risk involved with this.

Allowing foreign and unauthorized shadow IT to interact and manipulate the company’s data is a big security risk. Members of the IT department are tasked with ensuring the security and compliance of the data that is transmitted through shadow IT sources. This makes their job of securing company data much harder and increase the risk of foul-play or information theft.

Some companies are willing to embrace the innovation and increased productivity brought on by these shadow IT technologies, while others frown upon it due to the increased security risks. 

The Solution?

The purpose of the shadow IT introduced to the company are primarily to increase productivity and ease of task management. The increased usage of shadow IT creates what is called a digital sprawl. This term means that there is an increase in incoherent application or software that is being used in the company. For example, employee A uses Application X to make their spreadsheets while employee B uses Application Y to achieve the same task. With an increase in the number of different applications used and the number of employees, the digital sprawl can easily become difficult to manage.

This digital sprawl raises data compliance issues and can potentially cost companies a lot. This also makes it difficult to govern the use of applications as well as maintain consistency in the company at the macro-level. High amounts of digital sprawl can mean lots of wasted time, effort, and resources for a company.

Governance and Leniency

In terms of a solution, the company should task the IT department to find technologies that they are willing to authorize that will also allow employees to effectively perform their duties. Then, governance of employees to use the standard application will increase company coherence across teams and departments in the company. 

If it proves too difficult a task to eliminate all shadow IT sources, then creating a technology filter is the best option. A technology filter is essentially where all employees must pass the technology they desire to use to the IT department. From there IT can either authorize the use of the technology or deny it. Making a limit to the number of unique services in the workplace is also important. This will minimize digital sprawl while also allowing the inventiveness and creativity of new technologies to enter. 

By recognizing shadow IT for the potential benefit, yet inherent risk that it is, it is easier to make the best decision for the company. Finding the right tolerance for shadow IT in the company is crucial for the security of information. For more information about shadow IT or IT in general, contact us.

Is it Possible to Host a Private Cloud in the Cloud?

is it possible to host a private cloud in the cloud

Many business owners have finally made the decision to move their computing tasks and even their data to the “cloud”. This is typically done at the urging of their technology services company. Some of the benefits, including reduced costs and anytime/anywhere access to corporate systems is appealing. However, some business owners have security concerns and question if they can “be in the cloud” yet still maintain privacy. In this post, we will define the various cloud options. Thus, business owners can determine which route is ideal for them.

The Public Cloud

Any technology service using shared hosted resources with others is considered part of the public cloud. Office 365 and Google Drive are two such examples. They both offer anytime/anywhere access to users. Additionally, the added benefit of minimal or no costs for usage and/or infrastructure maintenance. These are two applications hosted by well-known technology companies. However, there are many other industry-specific applications and/or services that companies may provide through the public cloud. 

A Private Cloud

Using their own hardware resources, large companies typically host their own private clouds, providing the convenience of anytime/anywhere access to their employees. However, even small companies can have their own private cloud, either hosted on their own premises or on a external provider’s hardware resources, typically in an off-site location. More and more, smaller companies are considering the advantages of maintaining a private cloud, since a private cloud can also incorporate other services such as data storage, application hosting, and data backup and disaster recovery. 

The Best of Both Worlds

Some companies decide to take a hybrid approach and use some applications and services offered in the public cloud, while also maintaining a private cloud. By utilizing the best of both worlds, a company can take advantage of the lower costs typically associated with using the public cloud, while still keeping vital corporate data safe and secure on their own private cloud infrastructure. 

If you would like more information on to set up a comprehensive cloud computing plan for your company, please contact us!

Benefits of Managed Network Support Services

managed it services

Today, businesses are experiencing intense competition in different industries and finding ways to counter the same can help them thrive in a volatile market. Cloud technology is one of the things you need to consider investing in to promote faster access to information, reliability, and to secure your company records to overcome the existing competition. Managed network support services can become the ideal solution if you want to stand out from the rest as an expert in your industry. Here are some of the benefits of managed network support services.

Maximum Performance and Increased Productivity

Most business owners appreciate the need to maximize the performance of their systems to increase productivity and managed network support services can serve this purpose. A competent network support services provider can merge voice and data networks to enhance the performance of your company systems while reducing support time to promote savings on cost and time.

Your staff will perform their duties efficiently and effectively when you opt for managed network support services, which results in increased productivity.

Proactive Maintenance

The possibility of system failure is one of the setbacks that most businesses are struggling to manage on a daily basis. Unfortunately, some companies do not have the resources to prevent possible system failures. Network support service providers have the necessary tools and resources to support the implementation of new software and for upgrading your systems.

Frequent system failure becomes a thing of the past when you invest in managed network support services. The reason is that providers of network support services perform proactive maintenance of your company systems on an ongoing basis.

Improved Network Security

The network infrastructure of every organization is prone to various threats, including inappropriate web content, spam, intrusions, malware, and viruses. Any attack on your business network derails your operations, and it also affects your service delivery significantly. Managed network support services secure business voice and data networks to protect critical applications and every transaction.

If you need more information on the benefits of managed network support services, contact us today!