What Are Shadow IT Assets?
Shadow IT assets refer to unauthorized hardware, software, or cloud-based services used within an organization, typically without the knowledge or approval of the IT department. Employees may rely on personal devices, third-party applications, or unvetted platforms to complete work-related tasks, bypassing officially sanctioned tools and policies.
While often adopted for convenience or efficiency, these unauthorized assets pose serious cybersecurity risks. When connected to the corporate network, they can create hidden vulnerabilities that cybercriminals may exploit, resulting in data breaches, compliance failures, and potentially devastating cyberattacks.
Effectively identifying, managing, and mitigating shadow IT assets is essential to safeguarding an organization’s security posture and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
The Hidden Threat of Shadow IT Assets
Each shadow IT asset that connects to the corporate network increases the organization’s attack surface, creating new vulnerabilities for cybercriminals to exploit. Without centralized management, IT teams struggle to detect unusual behavior or respond swiftly to threats. This lack of visibility enables prolonged attacker dwell time, raising the risk of data exfiltration, malware infections, and compliance violations.
To learn more about the different levels of shadow IT and their impact, refer to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Guidance on Shadow IT.
Shadow IT Assets and Unauthorized Network Connections
Unauthorized network connections are a common way shadow IT assets introduce security risks. Here are some examples:
- Personal Devices: When an employee connects a personal router, external storage device, or unauthorized application to the corporate network, it creates an unmanaged access point. These connections can be used for file sharing, running unapproved software, or bypassing security controls, increasing the risk of data leaks and cyber threats.
- Rogue Access Points: Setting up an unauthorized wireless access point, whether for convenience or malicious intent, creates a shadow network connection. This weakens network security, making it easier for attackers to intercept traffic or gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems.
- Compromised Devices: If a network-connected device (such as a printer, IoT device, or server) is infected with malware, it can establish unauthorized connections to external servers. These compromised devices operate outside IT’s visibility, allowing cybercriminals to exfiltrate data or launch attacks from within the network.
Shadow IT Assets Security Risks
The risks of unauthorized network connections are significant due to the lack of oversight and security controls. IT security teams implement strict network configurations and security protocols to protect the organization. However, when shadow IT assets bypass these protections, they introduce serious cybersecurity threats, including:
- Security Vulnerabilities: Unauthorized connections often lack firewalls, encryption, or endpoint protection, creating exploitable weaknesses that attackers can target.
- Spreading Malware: Shadow IT devices may already be compromised, allowing malware to spread across the network, infecting critical systems.
- Data Breaches: Without proper access controls and monitoring, sensitive data can be exposed or exfiltrated through unauthorized devices, leading to compliance violations and financial losses.
Without proper access controls and monitoring, sensitive data can be exposed or exfiltrated through unauthorized devices, leading to compliance violations and financial losses.
Mitigating Shadow IT Assets Risks
To reduce the risks associated with shadow IT assets, organizations must enhance network visibility, educate employees on the dangers of unauthorized devices, and enforce strict security policies.
Sepio’s Asset Risk Management (ARM) platform helps organizations gain full network visibility and detect unauthorized connections, reducing the risks posed by shadow IT assets. By securing all network-connected devices, IT teams can minimize the attack surface and protect against potential cyber threats.
Endpoint Device Security
The Sepio Agent provides lightweight, hardware-based protection for endpoints. It allows precise control over USB devices, enabling only approved peripherals while blocking rogue ones. This ensures secure use of removable media without disrupting productivity. Operating with minimal system impact, the agent delivers strong protection without consuming significant resources.
Network Device Security
The Sepio Scan Engine identifies and profiles network-connected hardware by interacting directly with network infrastructure using secure protocols. It supports scalable deployment across complex environments and gathers detailed asset intelligence for classification and real-time risk assessment. Frequent scans ensure updated inventories and accurate detection of policy violations.
Identifying and mitigating these threats requires continuous monitoring and full asset visibility. Solutions like Sepio’s Asset Risk Management platform help organizations detect, control, and eliminate shadow IT assets before they lead to data breaches or cyberattacks.
Manage Your Network Devices Effectively
Gaining full visibility into network devices is crucial for eliminating blind spots caused by shadow IT assets. By leveraging physical layer data, organizations can detect and mitigate unauthorized devices that traditional security solutions overlook.
Schedule a demo today to see how Sepio helps secure your network against shadow IT risks and unauthorized devices.
