Navigating the Shadow IT Challenge with Forcepoint ONE CASB

In today’s digital landscape, the rapid adoption of SaaS applications has fueled the rise of Shadow IT—the use of technology systems, applications and services without the explicit approval of the organization’s IT department. This growing trend can create significant challenges for businesses, from security vulnerabilities to compliance risks.  

Let’s dive into what Shadow IT has become, explore the associated risks, and discuss how Forcepoint ONE CASB can help organizations overcome the challenges posed by Shadow IT, ensuring a secure and compliant IT environment. 

What is Modern Shadow IT?  

Shadow IT occurs when employees use unauthorized SaaS applications to get their work done. This can range from using file-sharing platforms like Dropbox or personal Google Drive accounts to relying on project management tools and communication apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. Recently, GenAI sites have become one of the most common places users go to try new ways of learning information and producing content. While Shadow IT can foster creativity and improve productivity, it is a huge security blindspot for IT teams and opens the door to serious risks, including data breaches, security vulnerabilities, and non-compliance with industry regulations. 

Understanding these risks is crucial for organizations that want to maintain control over their IT environments and safeguard sensitive data. 

The Risks That Come with Shadow IT 

• Sensitive Data Loss or Exposure: Shadow IT can lead to data being stored in multiple, unmonitored locations, increasing the risk of data loss/theft. This is particularly true of GenAI sites which tempt users to upload sensitive data—with the best of intentions—in hopes of producing more relevant content.
• Security Vulnerabilities: Unsanctioned applications may not meet the organization’s security standards, making them vulnerable to breaches and cyber-attacks. Without IT oversight, it is challenging to ensure that these applications are adequately protected.
• Compliance Issues: Many industries have strict regulations regarding data storage, privacy and security. Using unsanctioned applications can lead to non-compliance, resulting in legal penalties and damage to the organization’s reputation.
   

Forcepoint ONE CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) to the Rescue 

 Forcepoint ONE CASB offers comprehensive shadow IT discovery by identifying and monitoring all applications and services in use within the organizational network, regardless of whether they are officially sanctioned or not. This capability benefits organizations by enhancing visibility, enabling risk assessment, and enforcing security policies, ensuring that all IT resources align with corporate standards and compliance requirements. 

Forcepoint ONE CASB provides several effective methods for uncovering Shadow IT within your organization. You can either upload firewall logs directly to the Forcepoint ONE CASB portal or deploy an OVA appliance to set up syslog streaming, which then feeds data into the Forcepoint ONE portal.  

Let's look a bit closer at Forcepoint ONE CASB features that manage Shadow IT risks:

• Increased Visibility: To effectively manage your IT environment, visibility is key. Forcepoint ONE CASB’s Shadow IT discovery tools empower IT departments with a comprehensive view of all cloud services and applications in use. This level of visibility is crucial for identifying and mitigating potential risks, ensuring robust security and compliance across the organization.

• Risk Score Assessment: Forcepoint’s ONE CASB empowers customers to flexibly assess and manage cloud risk using the Cloud Score Widgets Wizard. This tool calculates cloud risk scores through a weighted formula that considers various app attributes alongside Forcepoint ONE SSE’s automated Trust Rating. Customers can easily adjust the weight of each attribute (from 1 to 10) on the Cloud Score Weights page, allowing them to prioritize what matters most. For instance, if GAAP compliance is given more weight, apps with GAAP compliance will score higher. Additionally, a slider lets customers fine-tune the influence of the Trust Rating, ensuring the score aligns with the organization’s security priorities.

• Forensics: Forcepoint ONE CASB provides a robust mechanism to analyze traffic, enabling the detection of abnormal user behavior. When anomalies are identified, customers can swiftly take action, such as containment, to mitigate potential threats. Customers can view a detailed overview of each application, including key information like the number of unique events (connections), data uploaded, and cloud scores.  

Shadow IT is an inevitable byproduct of today’s fast-paced, cloud-driven work environment. However, without proper management, it can expose organizations to significant risks. By leveraging Forcepoint ONE CASB, organizations can gain the visibility and control they need to mitigate these risks, ensuring their IT environment remains secure, compliant and efficient.