Did you know that in many organizations up to 40% of the applications employees use are not registered with IT? This phenomenon, known as Shadow IT, is like dark matter in the universe: we don’t see it, but its impact is enormous.
When we think about IT security, we usually focus on the obvious: updated software, configured firewalls, secure passwords. But beneath that surface lies a hidden world of applications, devices, and access points that can become the entryway to an incident.
What is Shadow IT?
It includes all assets and services used without IT’s control:
· Cloud applications installed without authorization.
· Personal devices connected to the corporate network.
· Forgotten accounts with active access.
· Non-approved storage, messaging, or document-editing services.
Why is it a risk?
What isn’t seen can’t be controlled. Shadow IT can hide unpatched vulnerabilities, violate compliance requirements, or expose sensitive information without anyone noticing. It’s like looking at the sky: even though we don’t see every star, they still influence the ecosystem.
Making the invisible visible
You can’t protect what you don’t know. That’s why organizations need complete visibility of their infrastructure. Today, platforms like Axonius allow you to automatically discover every connected device and application, build dynamic real-time inventories, and integrate data from multiple sources.
With this level of clarity, security teams reduce risks, meet compliance requirements, and make decisions with confidence.
In conclusion, both in the universe and in cybersecurity, the invisible matters as much as what we see. Making every device, application, and access visible is the first step in protecting what is most valuable: the continuity of your business.
