2025 - 06 - 06
Introduction: Shadow IT, a growing risk for modern businesses
Shadow IT refers to the use by employees of digital tools not validated by the IT management. These are often SaaS software, storage applications, communication or project management solutions used without authorization or even without the CIO being informed.
This phenomenon is growing. According to a 2023 Cisco study, 80% of employees admit that they use unapproved applications in the course of their work. At the same time, telework, mobility and the growing need for autonomy on the part of teams are encouraging this drift.
The problem? These practices create major security holes, data location blur, and make regulatory compliance (GDPR, ISO) more difficult to ensure. Taking back control does not mean limiting use: it is about structuring an agile, but secure infrastructure.
The impact of shadow IT on governance and cybersecurity
Beyond the tools themselves, Shadow IT questions the global governance of the information system. Each department that chooses its solutions in its corner fragments the IS, multiplies vulnerability points, and prevents a centralized view of data flows.
This creates several critical risks :
- Data leakage or loss in case of hacked account or unstable solution
- GDPR non-compliance if personal data is hosted on servers outside the EU
- Proliferation of licences and hidden costs
- Support failure : in case of problem, no official channel is provided
The proliferation of unmanaged services weakens the company’s cybersecurity posture, while making internal audits and continuity plans more complex to implement.
A CIO can only secure what he knows. This is why it becomes crucial to offer cloud alternatives that are secure, controllable and compatible with business expectations.
Offering a controlled alternative: the key to reducing shadow IT
The fight against Shadow IT cannot be based solely on prohibition. Employees are turning to external solutions because they want more speed, simplicity or a better user experience.
It is therefore necessary to meet these needs with internal or partner solutions that are both efficient, accessible and secure. This is where the sovereign cloud infrastructure comes in.
By centralizing resources in a well-designed cloud environment, companies can :
- Standardize the business tools used by each department
- Offer a single application portal, easy to deploy and maintain
- Supervise all access and use, with granular rights per user
- Automate compliance and backups, without complicating the daily life of teams
The cloud becomes a lever for governance, not a source of fragmentation. Provided that you choose a partner who can combine flexibility, security and support.
The choice of the sovereign cloud: security, compliance and performance
UNIVIRTUAL offers a sovereign cloud infrastructure, hosted exclusively in Switzerland and France, designed to meet the specific needs of European companies.
Our key benefits:
- High-performance virtual machines, configurable according to business uses (office automation, graphics, data, etc.)
- Integrated security by design : network segmentation, multi-site backups, enhanced authentication, continuous monitoring
- Strict GDPR compliance, with hosting exclusively in the European Union or Switzerland
- A human and responsive support, from the initial audit to complete outsourcing
We also enable the implementation of collaborative solutions, VOIP telephony and virtualized workstations to create a consistent, controlled and ready-to-use infrastructure for all teams.
By centralizing your tools in a sovereign cloud, you naturally reduce the use of shadow IT, while improving the overall efficiency of your information system.
To discover all our secure cloud solutions : www.univirtual.ch/en
Conclusion: mastering Shadow IT means regagning security and consistency
Shadow IT is a reality in all modern businesses. Rather than fighting it head-on, it is more effective to prevent it by offering a solid, consistent and secure alternative.
A sovereign cloud like the one from UNIVIRTUAL offers this answer : high-performance for teams, managed by CIOs, secure for the company. It is a strategic choice to regain control of the IT infrastructure, without giving up flexibility expected by users.
