“Collectively, unapproved cloud, SaaS, and software applications present a problem known as Shadow IT. Much has been written about the huge hurdles Shadow IT has thrown in the path of governance, compliance, and data-loss prevention. These are all serious problems, but Shadow IT presents another serious risk—it creates another open avenue for malware.”
One of the greatest advantages of working in today’s technological environment is the ability to choose your own tools to make your job easier. Cloud storage was one of the revolutionary elements that made it possible to be a mobile employee. Being able to access files from anywhere changed how most businesses enabled their employees and thought about modern processes.
As much good as cloud storage and other SaaS solutions brought about, they also created an opportunity for malicious attackers to compromise corporate IT systems. In our white paper, “Defanging Shadow IT with Next-Generation Endpoint Protection,” we discuss how hackers exploit employees who use cloud services and why protecting your endpoints is the way to avoid any type of shadow attack.
Threats from the Shadows
With any aspect of enterprise IT operations, there are threats lurking just beneath the surface. In the case of cloud applications, these threats come in many forms. The white paper goes into depth about each one and how attackers prey on casual users of SaaS applications. The overview includes details about:
- Malicious File Uploads: By attacking the weakest login information, attackers can easily gain access to an individual’s or company’s files. From there, they can download a file infected with malware that syncs the malware to every cloud-connected device, giving them free reign of all files.
- MITM Attack: Phishing attacks seem easy to avoid, but 23% of scam email recipients still click a malicious link, creating a man-in-the-middle attack. An illegitimate site posing as the real thing can steal logins, files and launch a man-in-the-browser attack, which can be far more dangerous.
- Watering Hole Attack: Attackers sometimes forgo the phishing scams and go straight for the vulnerabilities in a real SaaS application. Exploiting this vulnerability lets them in and allows them to steal any data and files. These often occur on lesser-known applications, and deliver ransomware and malware.
These attacks can happen to any system or user and are unfriendly to enterprise IT systems. Education about the signs and the targets can help employees avoid them, but this is not a complete safeguard.
Endpoint Protection and Shadow IT
To ensure your company’s data is truly safe from Shadow IT attacks, you should be protecting your endpoints. As the outermost edge of your network’s perimeter, guarding these are a good start to keeping attackers out. SentinelOne offers endpoint protection that protects against advanced malware. The solution provides detailed forensics with a full attack storyline help administrators uncover which systems are being targeted and vectors for malicious activity.
Protecting your employees’ SaaS applications might seem like a hindrance to the upkeep of your IT infrastructure when you can just limit the tools they are allowed to access. But this practice will repel top talent and frustrate your current employees. Instead, it is better to protect your endpoints and ensure your cloud applications are safe from attack so employees can work how they please.
To learn more about Shadow IT attacks and how SentinelOne and help you mitigate them, download our white paper today.
