What is Shadow IT?
Shadow IT — Shadow IT refers to the use of IT systems, software, devices, or cloud services within an organisation without explicit approval from or knowledge of the IT or security department.
Shadow IT Explained in Detail
Employees adopt shadow IT to get work done faster — spinning up cloud instances, using personal SaaS apps, or connecting unapproved devices. While the intent is productivity, shadow IT creates blind spots that security teams cannot defend.
Risks of Shadow IT
- Data exposure — Sensitive data stored in unsecured, unmonitored services.
- Compliance violations — Unapproved services may not meet regulatory requirements.
- Expanded attack surface — Unpatched, unmonitored assets become easy targets.
- Lack of visibility — Security teams cannot protect what they cannot see.
Discovery
Attack surface management and SaaS security tools help discover shadow IT by scanning DNS records, certificate transparency logs, and cloud API activity.
How Hunto AI Helps with Shadow IT
Explore the autonomous AI agents that address shadow it challenges.