--- title: Exposing the Specter of ‘Shadow IT’ description: These days, consumers are bringing their own devices — and their own apps — to work. Sure, the consumerization of IT is not a new threat, but it’s one that many companies still struggle to contain. canonical_url: https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/exposing-specter-shadow-it/ locale: en last_updated: 2026-10-27 --- [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) # Exposing the Specter of ‘Shadow IT’ These days, consumers are bringing their own devices — and their own apps — to work. Sure, the consumerization of IT is not a new threat, but it’s one that many companies still struggle to contain. [Learn More](https://www.acronis.com/en/products/cyber-protect/) [![Image 2: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png)](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/ "Acronis Editorial Team") [Acronis Editorial Team](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/) 2 min read Last updated 23 October 2022 These days, consumers are bringing their own devices — and their own apps — to work. Sure, the consumerization of IT is not a new threat, but it’s one that many companies still struggle to contain. While there are benefits to employees using tools they know and like, experts caution about the security and data protection downsides. Tech Page One writer Scott Koegler offers seven tips to control the “Shadow IT” menace, including: * Understand how pervasive Shadow IT is at your company: IT pros know employees are bypassing IT, but they probably don’t know how frequently it occurs. A recent survey from 2nd Watch found that more than 90 percent of business units use the cloud, often behind IT’s back. * What you don’t know can hurt you: IT must understand what causes employees to seek out applications without company approval. They want to do their jobs as efficiently as possible, and many are savvy enough to work around IT if they sense a roadblock. As for the culprits, the C-suite are as likely (or even more likely) offenders. (via Tech Page One) ## Must Reads This Week: NSA’s $25,000 Per Day Data Threat: This week, Yahoo publicized with threats from the U.S. government to fine the Internet giant $25,000 per day if Yahoo didn’t hand over users’ data. (via The Wall Street Journal) Meet the New U.S. Chief Technology Officer: The United States has a new CTO, Megan Smith. She is a former Google executive and a prominent advocate for more jobs for women in technology. (via Wired) No Data Center Tax Breaks: At least not in Missouri. Citing more than $350 million in lost revenue, Governor Jay Nixon vetoed 10 bills that would have granted tax breaks to businesses, including one aimed at attracting data centers to the state. (via Data Center Knowledge) Image via Can Stock photo [Cybersecurity](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cybersecurity/) [Cyber protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cyber-protection/) ## Written by ![Image 3: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png) Acronis Editorial Team Acronis is a global cyber protection company that provides natively integrated cybersecurity, data protection, and endpoint management for managed service providers (MSPs), small and medium businesses (SMBs), and enterprise IT departments. [Previous post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/whats-your-chance-be-hit-meteor-statistically-zero-nil-nada/) [What’s your Chance to be Hit by a Meteor? Statistically Zero. Nil. Nada.](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/whats-your-chance-be-hit-meteor-statistically-zero-nil-nada/) [Next post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/4-data-driven-skills-modern-it-pro/) [4 Data-Driven Skills for the Modern IT Pro](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/4-data-driven-skills-modern-it-pro/) About Acronis Acronis is a leader in AI-native cyber protection, unifying data protection, cybersecurity, IT operations and hybrid infrastructure to deliver business continuity, security and compliance with less cost and complexity. More than 21,000 service providers trust Acronis to protect over 750,000 businesses in 150 countries. Acronis is headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. [Add as a preferred source on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=acronis.com) ## Related stories Want to learn more? Read the latest stories featuring this solution on our blog. [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) ![Image 4: stc Bahrain and Acronis partner to bring advanced endpoint security to businesses in Bahrain](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/9600f3eea83b8f4e168ea6c1409c8c26.png) [stc Bahrain and Acronis partner to bring advanced endpoint security to businesses in Bahrain](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/stc-bahrain-and-acronis-partner-to-bring-endpoint-security-to-businesses/) We are proud to announce a strategic partnership with stc Bahrain, expanding access to advanced cybersecurity services for businesses across Bahrain. **October 26, 2026**3 min read ![Image 5: Introducing New Acronis CEO: Prakash Panjwani](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/30cb571f6f1aaa131733e5727a4a250c.png) [Introducing New Acronis CEO: Prakash Panjwani](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/introducing-new-acronis-ceo-prakash-panjwani/) We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new Chief Executive Officer, Prakash Panjwani. A veteran cybersecurity CEO, Panjwani previously served as CEO of WatchGuard Technologies and SafeNet. **October 15, 2026**2 min read ![Image 6: Acronis expands MDR toward broader workspace protection](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/18e90e89f5ec4ef0901f19008d4ccbf2.png) [Acronis expands MDR toward broader workspace protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/acronis-expands-mdr-toward-broader-workspace-protection/) Acronis is expanding the MDR service with capabilities that make this expertise easier to deliver and help partners address more risks. The developments build on a broader commitment to managed security: helping service providers protect the connected workspace while giving customers access to the expertise needed to investigate threats, respond effectively and maintain business continuity. **October 13, 2026**6 min read