The main reason why employees resorted to shadow IT practices was that they believed it made daily activities faster and more efficient. Another 48 percent of respondents resorted to shadow IT due to lack of authorization for certain applications or software.
Most important reasons why employees resort to shadow IT practices worldwide in 2021
Characteristic
Share of respondents
Believe it makes daily activities faster and more efficient
63%
Lack of authorization for certain applications or software
48%
Slow response times from IT
38%
Unsure/ Don't know
8%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%
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Bitwarden. (November 30, 2021). Most important reasons why employees resort to shadow IT practices worldwide in 2021 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1303676/reasons-for-resorting-to-shadow-it-practices-worldwide/
Bitwarden. "Most important reasons why employees resort to shadow IT practices worldwide in 2021." Chart. November 30, 2021. Statista. Accessed April 30, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1303676/reasons-for-resorting-to-shadow-it-practices-worldwide/
Bitwarden. (2021). Most important reasons why employees resort to shadow IT practices worldwide in 2021. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 30, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1303676/reasons-for-resorting-to-shadow-it-practices-worldwide/
Bitwarden. "Most Important Reasons Why Employees Resort to Shadow It Practices Worldwide in 2021." Statista, Statista Inc., 30 Nov 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1303676/reasons-for-resorting-to-shadow-it-practices-worldwide/
Bitwarden, Most important reasons why employees resort to shadow IT practices worldwide in 2021 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1303676/reasons-for-resorting-to-shadow-it-practices-worldwide/ (last visited April 30, 2025)
Most important reasons why employees resort to shadow IT practices worldwide in 2021 [Graph], Bitwarden, November 30, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1303676/reasons-for-resorting-to-shadow-it-practices-worldwide/
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