Introduction to Shadow IT Discovery & App Blocking
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the use of cloud services has become ubiquitous across organizations. However, this proliferation of cloud usage brings with it a host of challenges, particularly with the rise of shadow IT - unauthorized cloud applications and services being used within the organization without the IT department's knowledge. Cisco Umbrella's Shadow IT Discovery & App Blocking solution offers a comprehensive approach to address these challenges, providing visibility into cloud service usage and the ability to block risky apps to enhance security.
Addressing Shadow IT Challenges
One of the primary challenges organizations face in managing shadow IT is the lack of visibility and control over the cloud services being accessed. Without a coordinated cloud enablement strategy, organizations are left vulnerable to productivity, expense, security, and support issues. Cisco Umbrella's solution aims to empower organizations by offering full visibility and risk information, enabling them to manage cloud adoption securely and efficiently. By making informed decisions about specific apps and blocking unauthorized access, organizations can mitigate the risks of data loss, account compromises, and malware infections.
Key Requirements and Features
Cisco Umbrella's Shadow IT Discovery & App Blocking solution provides three key requirements to effectively manage shadow IT: visibility, app and risk insight, and optimization and blocking. With this solution, organizations can see the cloud services being accessed from various networks and devices, gain detailed insights into each vendor and application's risk elements, and group apps by type, category, or risk level to manage cloud adoption effectively. The dashboard offers a comprehensive view of cloud service activity and risk, allowing organizations to identify potential policy violations and compliance issues.
Optimization and Application Blocking
To optimize cloud usage and enhance security, Cisco Umbrella offers tools to organize apps into categories, filter by risk level, and make informed decisions about which apps to approve, audit, or block. By leveraging preset application-level reports and customization options, organizations can track app usage, understand their exposure, and enforce controls by blocking unauthorized apps. This level of optimization and application blocking ensures that organizations can maintain a secure and compliant cloud environment.
Conclusion
Cisco Umbrella's Shadow IT Discovery & App Blocking solution is a comprehensive offering that empowers organizations to address the challenges posed by shadow IT effectively. By providing visibility, insight, optimization, and blocking capabilities, organizations can enhance their security posture, reduce the risks associated with unauthorized cloud usage, and ensure a secure and compliant cloud environment. With Cisco Umbrella, organizations can take control of their cloud services and protect their sensitive data from potential threats.