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 (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?
Why Waiting to Replace Your PCs Could Cost You Thousands
If you still have Windows 10 PCs to replace, what does this mean for you?Kinetics is at the Canalys industry conference in Vietnam this week, and we've just been warned about a trend that's going to impact all of us in the next few months. It's even worse if you are...
Cybersecurity Alert: Holiday Phishing on the Rise — And Attackers Are Using Your Own Tools
As the festive season kicks into gear, so too does the cybercriminal playbook. We’ve noticed a spike in phishing attempts disguised as “pre-Christmas party invites”. While the festive spirit is infectious, so too is the threat. These aren’t just generic holiday...
Document Automation Macros for Word
Recently a client asked for help to create an automated document creation system.Problem: The client had hundreds of similar documents that needed to be created quickly, consistently and accurately Answer: Microsoft 365! Attached is a brief video that runs through how...
Webinar Replay: Reclaim Your Time: How Smart Microsoft 365 Use Saves 10+ Hours Per Week
Transform Daily Tasks with Microsoft 365 Tools You Already Own Stop reinventing the wheel every time you write a proposal, create a report, or process a form. Most New Zealand businesses use Microsoft 365 for email, document storage, and video calls, but they miss the...
Looking Back at 2020: The Year That Transformed Business IT Forever
Looking Back at 2020: The Year That Transformed Business IT Forever As we step into 2025, it's worth reflecting on a year that permanently altered the trajectory of business technology. Five years ago, 2020 didn't just bring new software releases and hardware...
2025 Q4: Cyber Landscape Update (are you still feeling lucky? New Zealand’s Cyber-threat landscape demands action)
Why This Brief Matters A cybercriminal only has to be lucky once. You have to be lucky every minute of every day. That remains the stark reality for kiwi businesses in Q4 2025. This isn't another dry technical report filled with acronyms and alerts. Kinetics has...
October 2025: Five AI Breakthroughs to change how businesses work
October 2025 was another big month for AI. We’ve picked 5 that stand out to us for highlighting. These five advances deserve your attention because they're already being integrated into tools your team likely uses daily. Here's what changed in October, and why it...
Beyond Anti-Virus: Understanding EDR and MDR for Your Business
"Do we have anti-virus?" It's one of the first cybersecurity questions business leaders ask. For many years, it was the right question. But in 2025, if anti-virus is your primary cybersecurity defence, you're bringing a lock and key to a sophisticated break-in. The...
Webinar Replay: From Firefighting to Future-Ready: Transform Your IT from Reactive Support to Strategic Business Driver
Does it seem that your IT team constantly putting out fires instead of preventing them? Are technology decisions being made in isolation without clear connection to your business goals? You're not alone. Watch this webinar recording where we'll reveal the critical...
SpamGPT: When AI Becomes a Phishing Playbook—And How to Protect Your Business
For years, we've told businesses to watch for telltale phishing signs: poor grammar, suspicious sender addresses, generic greetings. But what happens when cybercriminals have access to the same sophisticated AI tools your marketing team uses—except weaponised...