Is shadow IT characterized as hardware kept in the network closet?

Shadow IT refers to the use of information technology systems, devices, software, applications, and services without explicit approval from or knowledge of the IT department. It typically involves tools or services that employees use to carry out their work—often cloud-based services and applications that may not have been vetted for security or compliance.

Characterizing shadow IT as hardware kept in the network closet does not align with its definition, as shadow IT often pertains largely to unauthorized software and cloud services that can be accessed from various devices, rather than just physical hardware located within a specific area of an organization.

Because shadow IT involves usage that bypasses official channels, primarily it is not limited to administrative tools or cloud services only; it encompasses any type of service or application that employees may use independently of organizational approval. Hence, identifying it solely with hardware would be an inaccurate representation of the concept.