The Dangers of Shadow IT: Insights from the CEO of Fluid IT

In today's fast-paced technological landscape, businesses face an overwhelming challenge of keeping up with the sheer volume of new applications and products being released every day. With the pressure to stay competitive and up-to-date, employees may resort to using untested, unapproved, and often unsecure applications, causing significant damage to the company's data and reputation.

This phenomenon, commonly known as Shadow IT, is a growing concern for businesses, and as an MSP provider, Fluid IT has taken on the challenge of protecting their clients from the dangers of Shadow IT.

In this article and video below, Wade Yeaman, CEO of Fluid IT, discusses the problem of Shadow IT, and how Fluid IT's top-down approach to stability, security, and management can help businesses navigate this challenge.

Q: What do you think is the most significant IT problem facing businesses today?

A: The rapid pace of technological change is one of the biggest challenges businesses face. With so many applications released every day, it's hard to keep up and make sense of it all. Companies are bombarded with marketing messages from technology vendors, which can make it difficult to determine what products are a good fit for their needs. This leads to a lot of uncertainty and potential risks.

Q: How does Shadow IT contribute to this problem?

A: Shadow IT is a major contributor to the problem of rapid technological change. Employees and departments may download and use applications without the knowledge or approval of the IT department or management. This creates potential security risks and can cause compatibility and integration problems. 

Q: How can businesses protect themselves from the threat posed by Shadow IT?

A: As a managed IT services provider, we help our clients by approaching technology from a top-down perspective of stability and security. We focus on making technology simple and standardized wherever possible, which helps drive efficiency and reduces the potential for Shadow IT to take hold. We centralize management and put controls in place, so we always know what's going on and can monitor for any potential risks. Managing technology requires ongoing care and attention, so we make sure to stay on top of the latest developments and potential threats.

Q: Can you give an example of how Fluid IT has helped a client deal with Shadow IT?

A: Sure! We had a client who was experiencing issues with Shadow IT, as several employees had installed unauthorized applications on their computers. This created potential security risks, and also caused compatibility issues with other applications the company was using.

Shadow IT is much more common now than it was even just a few years ago, so it's a significant challenge for businesses to address.

We worked with the client to implement more robust controls and monitoring systems, which helped identify and address unauthorized applications quickly. We also provided training to employees on the importance of using approved applications, and why Shadow IT could be a significant risk to the company's security and operations. Through these efforts, we were able to significantly reduce the potential impact of Shadow IT on the client's business.

Protecting Your Business from Shadow IT

After discussing the dangers of Shadow IT and how it can affect businesses, it's clear that companies need a reliable and proactive approach to managing their IT environment. As highlighted by Wade Yeaman, the key to protecting against Shadow IT is a top-down approach to stability, security, and management.

If you're looking for a managed IT services provider that can help you navigate the challenges of Shadow IT and protect your business, Fluid IT is the partner you need. With a team of experienced IT professionals, Fluid IT provides a range of services, including IT management, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions, all designed to simplify your technology and reduce your risk.

Don't let Shadow IT compromise your business's security and operations. Contact Fluid IT today to learn how they can help you stay ahead of the curve and focus on what really matters – growing your business.