What Is Shadow IT? Risks and Management of Unapproved Apps
Shadow IT is the use of cloud apps, add-ons and devices that the IT team does not know or approve. The employee usually wants to work faster. The organization loses control over its data.
Applications, services and devices that employees use without the approval or knowledge of the IT department.
Why Does It Matter?
An unapproved app can move corporate data to a place with no security review. This creates a gap in the data inventory under KVKK. Accounts that nobody remembers to close also widen the attack surface.
Core Principles & How It Works
What Threats Arise from Inadequate Protection?
- ✕An employee grants broad OAuth permissions to a third-party app with a corporate account.
- ✕Corporate data uploaded to personal cloud accounts.
How Does Moftgate Solve This Challenge?
Moftgate SSPM reviews Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace connections. It makes unapproved apps and risky OAuth permissions visible.
Related Guides and Articles
- How to Detect and Control Shadow AI: A 5-Step Guide →
Your employees most likely use unapproved AI tools. We explain a 5-step method to make this use visible and safe without banning it.
- SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) & Shadow IT Governance: Enterprise Architecture Guide →
With 82% of SaaS security breaches stemming from misconfigurations and rogue OAuth permissions, conventional firewalls are blind. Master automated posture governance for Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and shadow cloud applications.
Other Cybersecurity Terms
Full Glossary →AI tools that employees use without IT or security approval, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and browser extensions.
Automated continuous assessment of security configurations, third-party permissions, and identity posture across corporate SaaS applications.
Security threats arising from third-party marketplace plugins and apps granted excessive, persistent API permissions to corporate SaaS data via user consent.
A security model that trusts no user or device by default and verifies every access request.
Build Your Shadow IT Strategy with Moftgate
Connect with our enterprise engineering team for architecture reviews and live demonstrations.