Shining a Light on Shadow IT: How to be on Top of your IT Governance
GBTEC Group
We develop smart software for optimized & automated business processes to guide you through the digital transformation.
In a dynamic enterprise technology environment, "Shadow IT" emerges as a secret force, reshaping the digital landscape. This phenomenon appears when employees use software solutions without the official endorsement of the IT department.
With this newsletter we delve into the complexities of Shadow IT and explore its implications on organizational dynamics, cybersecurity, and the delicate balance between innovation and IT governance. In an enterprise setting, the use of Shadow IT can result in severe security risks in digital settings. The use of unauthorized software can lead to data breaches, unexpected costs, violations of regulatory and compliance standards, and even loss of IT control.
So, join us on an enlightening journey as we unveil these shadows, deciphering the motivations behind these practices and shedding light on strategies to navigate this complex terrain!
The answer is no-code/low-code technologies
Have you ever wondered why employees resort to Shadow IT in the first place? In many organizations, IT departments are responsible for approving technical devices, software, and services. However, the implementation process for new software can be slow and arduous, often requiring several months. Meanwhile, employees may require immediate solutions to the challenges they face, leading them to seek out unauthorized software and cloud services.
This is where no-code/low-code solutions are used, as the process automation landscape has evolved dramatically in recent years. In the past, skilled software developers wrote thousands of lines of code to create complex automation solutions. However, as technology has advanced, automating recurring tasks has become much easier and faster.
To prevent cybercrime and the use of Shadow IT in businesses and organizations, the implementation of no-code/low-code software is essential. These technologies provide an easy solution for employees in different departments to automate processes securely and independently. They enable the creation of applications without the need for complex coding, accelerating automation and fostering collaboration between IT and business teams. While central IT handles tool procurement and oversees development, business users can easily design, extend, and automate workflows without the use of non-authorized IT solutions.
No-code/low-code: What is the difference?
Both no-code and low-code automation methods offer time-saving benefits for workflow processes. However, these two methods differ in their level of complexity and the technical competencies required to operate them.
No-code technology provides an intuitive, user-friendly interface in which workflows are created via drag-and-drop modeling. The graphical models, often using BPMN 2.0 diagrams, are then transformed into process applications that can be executed. Users can easily configure and reuse digital forms, decision rules, integrations, and notifications without extensive technical or programming knowledge.
Unlike traditional software, low-code software employs graphical models integrated with forms, decision rules, and notifications. It is adept at managing complicated processes by retrieving and analysing data from third-party systems such as SAP? or SharePoint? via either standard or custom interfaces. While users are not required to be programmers, they should possess some technical knowledge, such as the ability to read REST API documentation, making a basic IT affinity a prerequisite for low-code programming.
To sum it up: No-code automation methods streamline workflow processes, but differ in complexity and technical expertise and offer an intuitive, drag-and-drop interface for creating workflows without extensive programming knowledge, while low-code approaches, though more powerful, require users to possess some technical proficiency for tasks like reading REST API documentation.
The advantages of no-code/low-code technologies:
When it comes to automating recurring tasks, businesses can benefit in a variety of ways.
Here are just a few:
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With the use of efficient task automations, mundane processes are transformed within hours, unlocking unprecedented time and cost savings.
With a user-friendly interface that transcends traditional barriers, configuration becomes an open playground for everyone, irrespective of programming skills, fostering a culture of innovation throughout the organization.
With effortlessly shaped and robustly compliant processes, users are no longer bound by rigid frameworks and customization becomes an art, allowing businesses to adapt and thrive in ever-evolving landscapes.
With strategic resource and cost savings, automation projects become not just a convenience but a cornerstone in optimizing operations, ensuring every resource is utilized to its fullest potential.
No-code/low-code platforms absorb the shortage of skilled workers and shorten the development cycle, as the applications are created almost in parallel with the specification of requirements.
The no-code/low-code revolution: Bridging the gap between business and IT
No-code/low-code capabilities can help close the gap between business and IT, enabling business users to work independently, regardless of the organization's digital transformation stage.
So, despite IT resource gaps, these technologies provide a swift and cost-effective solution, enabling departments to digitize processes without extensive programming knowledge. In times of agile business techniques, companies prioritize eliminating inefficiencies, and these platforms play a pivotal role in achieving digital efficiency. Automation facilitated by them enhances customer satisfaction, reduces errors, saves costs and time, fosters business agility, and ensures regulatory compliance.
To achieve a successful transition to the next level of automation while reducing the risk of Shadow IT, it is critical to engage business users from the beginning and ensure consistent compliance across units under the guidance of IT. No-code/low-code capabilities bridge the business-IT gap, empowering independent work by business users, irrespective of the organization's digital transformation stage.
Boost your IT projects with Citizen Development
If your organization's IT projects are stalling due to a lack of skilled IT workers, you might want to consider Citizen Development. With the help of supporting tools, you can quickly create digital workflows without in-depth programming knowledge, driving digital transformation.
Embark on a journey of limitless possibilities with GBTEC's innovative no-code/low-code tools and revolutionize your approach to business solutions and innovation!
Explore our website and unleash the power of simplicity: https://www.gbtec.com/resources/citizen-developer/