What does the concept of "Shadow IT" refer to?

The concept of "Shadow IT" refers to the use of unauthorized devices or applications within an organization’s IT environment. This phenomenon occurs when employees utilize technology solutions that are not officially sanctioned or controlled by the IT department. These could include cloud services, software applications, or personal devices that employees adopt to perform their job functions without the knowledge or approval of the organization's IT security team.

Such practices can pose significant security risks, as these unauthorized applications may lack essential security measures, leading to potential data breaches, compliance issues, and loss of control over sensitive information. Understanding Shadow IT is crucial for organizations to establish effective policies and user awareness programs to mitigate risks associated with the use of unapproved technologies.

The other options refer to unrelated concepts; for instance, the practice of shadowing coworkers relates to training techniques, double authentication is a specific security measure, and official approval of personal devices pertains to a structured approach to bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies, which are distinctly different from the idea of Shadow IT.