How Generative AI Is Accelerating the Rise of Shadow IT and Cybersecurity Gaps

The emergence of generative AI tools in the workplace has reignited concerns about shadow IT—technology solutions adopted by employees without the knowledge or approval of the IT department. While shadow IT has always posed security challenges, the rapid proliferation of AI tools is intensifying the issue, creating new cybersecurity risks for organizations already struggling with visibility and control. 

Employees now have access to a range of AI-powered tools that can streamline daily tasks, from summarizing text to generating code. However, many of these applications operate outside approved systems and can send sensitive corporate data to third-party cloud environments. This introduces serious privacy concerns and increases the risk of data leakage. Unlike legacy software, generative AI solutions can be downloaded and used with minimal friction, making them harder for IT teams to detect and manage. 

The 2025 State of Cybersecurity Report by Ivanti reveals a critical gap between awareness and preparedness. More than half of IT and security leaders acknowledge the threat posed by software and API vulnerabilities. Yet only about one-third feel fully equipped to deal with these risks. The disparity highlights the disconnect between theory and practice, especially as data visibility becomes increasingly fragmented. 

A significant portion of this problem stems from the lack of integrated data systems. Nearly half of organizations admit

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