Becoming an IT hero: Giving your team the flexibility they want and the security they need

In the modern-day workplace, it’s become more and more common for the lines to blur between what apps and tools are appropriate for business versus those that are best left at home.

Any IT pro knows why this behavior—often called Shadow IT—is an issue. While many consumer tools often have great usability, they aren’t usually built to offer the security, speed and functionality required for professional use. Even so, business managers are using the rapidly evolving forces of cloud computing, social media and information management to adopt new technology before IT departments even have a chance to discover it. This leads to employees working with free applications, as well as their personal laptops and smartphones—often without IT’s knowledge.