Shadow AI Is The New Shadow It: Why A SaaS-First Approach Wins
Security Boulevard, Wednesday, October 1st, 2025
Every wave of workplace technology creates new risks-and new buzzwords. Today, 'shadow AI' is the term on everyone's lips. Security leaders are rightly concerned about employees experimenting with unvetted AI tools, from generative AI chatbots to Chrome extensions and AI-powered SaaS add-ons.
The risks are real: sensitive data leaks, compliance gaps, and a rapidly expanding attack surface. But here's the catch: shadow AI isn't a brand-new problem. It's simply the latest evolution of shadow IT.
Shadow IT, now with AI inside
The story feels familiar. Over the last decade, the trend of employees adopting SaaS tools outside IT's purview has accelerated, including all manner of project management platforms, file-sharing apps, marketing automation software. This unsanctioned adoption created shadow IT, a sprawling web of unknown vendors and unmanaged data access.