When organizations consider their digital future, pressure often falls on the IT department, which is already constantly overburdened. And when users feel that the IT team will take too long to provide them with a solution, they turn to alternative options, trying to bypass the IT team with shadow IT. Unfortunately, those alternative solutions aren’t always the safest… Fortunately, low-code/no-code can be a solution for addressing shadow IT issues.
What is shadow IT?
Shadow IT refers to employees who use technology and software that is not approved or supported by the IT department. This includes using personal devices, such as smartphones and laptops, to access company data, or using unauthorized apps to perform work-related tasks.
But why do employees often resort to shadow IT?
- Lack of appropriate tools and resources: Users turn to unapproved technology when they cannot find the right solution within the company to perform their tasks.
- Speed and efficiency: Employees sometimes opt for unapproved technology because it allows them to work faster and more efficiently, especially when the IT department is unable to provide the necessary tools in a timely manner.
- Personal preferences: certain technology or software they are familiar with, even if it has not been approved by the company.
- Bypassing IT restrictions: Sometimes employees use shadow IT to circumvent restrictions imposed by the IT department, such as restrictions on access to certain websites.
- The popularity of cloud-based services: These have made it easier for employees to use unapproved technology, since these services can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection.
Risks of Shadow IT
Although shadow IT may seem harmless at first glance, it can pose significant risks to companies. Unapproved technology and software are often insecure, leaving the company vulnerable to hackers and data breaches.
- Weak security: a greater risk of data breaches and cyberattacks, because unapproved technology may not meet the same security standards.
- Non-compliance: The use of unapproved technology can expose organizations to noncompliance with industry regulations, such as the GDPR and HIPAA.
- Support issues: Employees who use shadow IT will not feel comfortable turning to the IT department for support when problems arise.
- A lack of integrations: Shadow IT solutions often do not integrate with an organization's existing technology infrastructure, which leads to greater complexity.
- High costs: The costs of additional licenses or hardware needed to support unapproved technology can quickly add up, as can the costs of integrating shadow IT solutions into the existing technology infrastructure.
Combating Shadow IT with Low-Code/No-Code Platforms
A low-code/no-code platform is a software development approach that enables users to create apps using a drag-and-drop interface instead of writing code. These platforms offer ready-to-use components, such as forms, templates, and workflows, that can be easily used to create custom applications. This reduces the amount of code that needs to be written, allowing developers to create applications faster and with fewer technical skills.
With the rise of low-code/no-code platforms, organizations can combat the negative effects of shadow IT and empower employees to create their own business solutions.
- A steep learning curve: Low-code/no-code platforms offer a visual, drag-and-drop interface that allows users to create custom applications without extensive coding knowledge. This enables non-technical employees, such as business analysts and department managers, to create their own solutions for specific business needs without having to rely on the IT team for support.
- No bypassing the IT team's approval: By providing employees with a low-code platform, organizations can address one of the root causes of shadow IT: a lack of suitable tools and resources for employees to perform their tasks.
- Transparent data: Low-code/no-code platforms also provide a centralized location for all business solutions, thereby eliminating the problem of data silos caused by shadow IT. This improves collaboration and data sharing within the organization.
- Enhanced security: In addition to empowering employees, low-code/no-code platforms also enhance security by ensuring that all solutions are built and maintained within a controlled environment. This enables the IT team to control and manage access to sensitive data, thereby ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Low-code/no-code platforms offer a cost-effective solution for organizations. Traditional software development can be expensive and time-consuming, whereas these platforms enable the rapid development of customized solutions at a fraction of the cost.
Powerful solution
Low-code/no-code platforms such as Microsoft Power Apps offer a powerful solution for organizations to combat shadow IT. By giving employees the tools and resources they need to create their own business solutions, low-code/no-code platforms reduce the risk of data breaches and improve collaboration within the organization.
IT teams must also provide training and support to employees to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to use the platform effectively. With a clear governance structure, training, and monitoring, organizations can effectively use low-code/no-code platforms to combat shadow IT while simultaneously reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
