What is ‘Shadow IT’?
Shadow IT refers to the various web tools informally in use within most organisations. These tools are often chosen without reference to IT or to management in general.
They are often used for all the very best reasons. Your colleagues have work to do, and these tools help them, so they get used. You might know about some because there is a subscription charge, but others might be free.
These tools can be anything from simply keeping lists of tasks to do, sharing information or managing workflows, providing newsletter lists, or recruiting staff. Its endless.
There’s all sorts of web pages out there that your people will be finding useful and will be using.
The question is, do you know what is being used on your behalf?
Even more importantly, do you know who’s got access to them? As your staff come and go, do you know to change passwords or reset user accounts to make sure that no one who has left you (maybe even gone to a competitor) is still able to access your confidential data?
Shadow IT is one of the largest threats to data privacy in organisations today. It’s not necessarily because these sites are going to be hacked, although it’s always possible, but it’s because if you don’t know the tools are in use, then there is no way that you can manage them!
The first step to maintaining this data is to identify them, and that’s why you need new tools that are cloud focused.
If you’re still using the same old security tools that you used prior to the cloud, then you are simply not keeping up and we need to talk!
Here’s a story about what happens if you don’t have this under control: Why you need to know all the cloud services that your organisation uses – IT Solutions and Managed Services (new.outsource.co.nz/)
Shadow IT is part of our 10-point cyber-security check list
While there is no single layer of technology that can guarantee you will be safe from hackers, you can reduce your risk by adding layers of protection. How many of our 10-point check list are in place for you?
KRACK Wireless Access Vulnerability
[header2 text="KRACK - Wireless Access Vulnerability" align="left" color="#336A40" margintop=""] It’s been all over the news that the dastardly hackers have struck again, this time hitting your favourite wireless. According to some reports, the world will end...
Another Scammer example
[header2 text="Not the worst we've seen, but equally effective" align="left" color="#336A40" margintop=""] The scammers never stop. This latest attempt is extremely poorly written. But when you follow the link it's a passable representation of the Office 365...
Giving clients better response times
Speeding up our service To speed up our service, we’ve introduced a new ‘ticket’ (job) logging system. This is in additional option to ringing us or emailing our ‘support’ email team. Each of these systems works but are relatively manual. We know that phone calls...
New cool stuff in your Office 365
[header2 text="New stuff, all the time" align="left" color="#336A40" margintop=""] Microsoft are continually updating Office 365 with awesome new tools and more efficient ways of working. Keeping up with these and learning how to use them is a big challenge, which is...
Macs are the latest victims of ransomware
According to Veeam the number of ransomware attacks has jumped 6000% since 2015-16. There is an interesting correlation between the increase in ransom attacks and the increase in value of bitcoins! Bitcoin value in NZ dollars. Source Google Finance Now we...
Seamless migration to cloud file storage
"We've been very fortunate to have them on board. Our transition went very smoothly. There was a great sense of comfort about them and they are very professional in what they do." - Jeremy Sole, CEO SharePoint migration Making the change from local file storage to...
Member training for the EMA
"For anyone thinking of using Kinetics for training : you're going to get value for money, on topic training. Definitely thumbs up." - David Foley, EMA Learning Manager Member IT training The EMA turned to Kinetics when they wanted to provide members...
No excuses for ugly PowerPoint slides
Add a design eye to give some pizzazz to your PowerPoint Not everyone has an eye for design – particularly when it comes to PowerPoint. Now you can get PowerPoint to design your slides for you. 1. Add the text and content you wish to display on your slide. The...
Sensing your office Vibe
As Kinetics had grown, our ability to understand what everyone in the team is feeling or thinking has diminished. The distance that growth brings between staff and managers creates doubts and misunderstandings that can be hard to see. More and more we have...
BEWARE THE FAKE LOGIN
Most people will be familiar with the concept of linking something to your Facebook login. Many sites offer you the opportunity to login using your Facebook account. Scammers use this concept to farm credentials for other sites. One we have started seeing more...






