When USAA Allows the Use of Shadow IT
As a military spouse, I’ve come to rely heavily on USAA for our financial and insurance needs. They’ve always been there for our family, even during some of our most challenging times. But I recently learned that there are some things that USAA doesn’t allow their members to do, such as using shadow IT.
Shadow IT is the use of information technology resources that are not approved or managed by the official IT department. This can include using personal devices to access company data, using cloud-based applications without company approval, or setting up your own server.
There are a number of reasons why USAA doesn’t allow its members to use shadow IT. First and foremost, it’s a security risk. Shadow IT can create vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers or other malicious actors. This could put USAA’s members’ personal and financial information at risk.
In addition, shadow IT can also lead to legal and regulatory compliance issues. For example, if USAA members use shadow IT to access confidential customer data, they could be violating privacy laws. USAA could also be held liable for any damages that result from the use of shadow IT.
Finally, shadow IT can also be a drain on resources. The IT department has to spend time and money to support shadow IT systems, which can take away from their ability to support the official IT systems.
What is Shadow IT?
Shadow IT is the use of information technology resources that are not approved or managed by the official IT department. This can include using personal devices to access company data, using cloud-based applications without company approval, or setting up your own server.
Shadow IT is often used to bypass restrictions or to access resources that are not available through the official IT department. For example, an employee may use their personal laptop to access company data because they find the company’s laptops to be too slow. Or, an employee may use a cloud-based application to store company data because they find the company’s file server to be too cumbersome.
Why is Shadow IT a Problem?
Shadow IT can create a number of problems for organizations, including:
- Security risks: Shadow IT systems are often not as secure as official IT systems, which can create vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers or other malicious actors. This could put the organization’s data and systems at risk.
- Compliance issues: Shadow IT systems may not comply with the organization’s security policies or industry regulations. This could put the organization at risk of legal liability.
- Operational inefficiencies: Shadow IT systems can be difficult to manage and support, which can drain the organization’s resources.
- Data loss: Shadow IT systems are often not backed up or protected against data loss, which could result in the loss of important data.
How to Avoid Shadow IT
There are a number of steps that organizations can take to avoid shadow IT, including:
- Educating employees: Employees need to be educated about the risks of shadow IT and the importance of using approved IT resources.
- Providing adequate IT resources: Organizations need to provide employees with the IT resources they need to do their jobs effectively. This includes providing employees with access to fast and reliable computers, software, and applications.
- Enforcing IT policies: Organizations need to enforce their IT policies and procedures. This includes monitoring employee use of IT resources and taking action against employees who violate IT policies.
Tips and Expert Advice
Here are a few tips and expert advice for avoiding shadow IT:
- Talk to your IT department: If you’re not sure whether or not a particular use of IT resources is allowed, talk to your IT department. They can help you determine whether or not the use is allowed and can provide you with alternatives if necessary.
- Use approved software and applications: Only use software and applications that have been approved by your IT department. This will help to ensure that your computer is protected from malware and other threats.
- Be careful about what you access online: Don’t access websites or download files that you don’t trust. This could put your computer and the organization’s network at risk.
- Back up your data regularly: Regularly back up your data to a secure location. This will help to protect your data in the event of a data loss.
- Report any security incidents: If you experience any security incidents, such as a malware infection or a phishing attack, report it to your IT department immediately.
By following these tips, you can help to avoid shadow IT and protect your organization’s data and systems.
FAQ
Q: What are the risks of shadow IT?
A: Shadow IT can create a number of risks for organizations, including security risks, compliance issues, operational inefficiencies, and data loss.
Q: How can I avoid shadow IT?
A: There are a number of steps that you can take to avoid shadow IT, including talking to your IT department, using approved software and applications, being careful about what you access online, backing up your data regularly, and reporting any security incidents.
Q: What should I do if I see someone using shadow IT?
A: If you see someone using shadow IT, you should report it to your IT department.
Conclusion
Shadow IT can be a major problem for organizations. It can create security risks, compliance issues, operational inefficiencies, and data loss. By following the tips and advice in this article, you can help to avoid shadow IT and protect your organization’s data and systems.
Are you interested in learning more about shadow IT?
