Reply to Juha Etel?niemi on Shadow IT

In reply to Juha Etel?niemi on Shadow IT, my answer exceeded the length in the comment section so I turned into a post.

I used to get very frustrated when I would find out that other departments are implementing, or using an IT system in the business without getting my blessing. I then realized that it is not a joke when I see myself as the key master like in the Matrix.

Eventually most technological solutions will require some opening of a door or approval from the IT department. It is just a matter of time, or how fast we, IT, want to get involved. It can be a system that falls in scope for SOX, then it will have IT controls and it becomes a system IT controls, or it may need integration with active directory, single sign on, a port to be open on the firewall and maybe even granting access to the internet from one of our locations such as CCTV, EMS, HVAC, Elevators...

But if we take a step back and we position ourselves as IT consultants for the different departments where they feel like we are their own IT department then we will achieve full cooperation. I work in a company that currently has 5 generations working for it. So for sure I do not see eye to eye with all of them but I make it a point to let them know that I have their back. I ask to be invited (optional attendance) to their monthly / quarterly meetings and hear what they are doing and where they have problems. I do not get involved unless addressed. After the meeting I may offer a solution in private so I do not put anyone in an awkward position. I will even have them recommend it to their team take the credit and bring me in as a partner.

In addition I learned that if I take the liability or a shared liability to a technological solution not related to core IT, where the other department did not want to involve IT, gets me a seat at the table. I did not say ownership of the project, that stays with the end user but liability to the technological integration / maintenance piece.

Bottom line it is communication and a lot of marketing required by the IT department to win the confidence of the different departments and make them realize we are not there to hold them back. We share the same goal, success for our company.

Monikaben Lala

Chief Marketing Officer | Product MVP Expert | Cyber Security Enthusiast | @ GITEX DUBAI in October

1 年

Ilan, thanks for sharing!

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