Shadow IT is not a new topic and the threat it brings can wreak havoc on your business as well as your leaders.

For years, we have known that employees and lines of business are bypassing IT departments and utilizing cloud services to get their job done.  Just how much are we using? Research brings us some startling statistics:

• 80% of end users use software not cleared by IT
• 83% of IT staff admit to using unsanctioned software or services
• Only 8% of all enterprises actually know the scope of shadow IT within their organization

The important takeaway from shadow IT is that end users are demanding IT to be more agile and they are willing to take matters into their own hands, even to the point of revolting against traditional IT and business policies.

Cisco conducted engagements with large enterprise customers across US, Europe, Canada and Australia from January 2014 to July 2015.  Information was developed using actual data usage from customer's networks - essentially representing millions of users.   Here are some amazing results:

• On average, enterprise customers estimate they are using 91 public cloud services
• Data shows they are actually using 1,220 cloud services and this is growing 112% year over year
• Among the services discovered, 44 were considered high risk to the business

Do you know the scope of shadow IT within your company?

Shadow IT is not an issue that is isolated to specific industries, region or tech-savvy organizations.  There is almost no difference in the statistics by industry or geography.  Shadow IT is a challenge prevalent across all companies, industries and countries.

The answer is an effective hybrid cloud strategy that embraces the best of both worlds in a way that drives efficiency and speed so you can take advantage of the disruption occurring in the market while maintaining choice, control and compliance.

Cisco's cloud strategy gives you freedom in a hybrid cloud world to digitally transform your business, harness the power of cloud-native development trends and maintain the control, security and performance you need for organizational excellence.   But first you have to regain control of cloud usage.  You can be sure that the CEO or the Board will not waive your responsibility to protect the company's data as well as be the guardians for IT spend.

The logical first step is to conduct a cloud assessment analysis, such as Cisco Cloud Consumption Service.  This service provides the data your management will need to choose which applications should run in private or public cloud instances as well as how to implement a single operational model for truly secure, compliant hybrid cloud.  After all, how can you get to where you want to go if you don't know where are today?

Start here and try Cisco's Cloud Consumption Service for free.