Shadow AI Discovery & Control
Employees are already pasting company data into public AI tools. Skytech Enterprise discovers which AI apps are in use, assesses their risk, and puts practical controls in place with Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps and Purview, without blocking the productivity AI brings.
Shadow AI discovery at a glance
Who this is for
CISOs, IT Directors and compliance leads concerned about unapproved AI use.
When you need this
Staff are using public AI tools with company data, a customer asks about AI controls, or you are drafting an AI policy.
Delivery model
Discovery and control project. Uses Defender for Cloud Apps; Purview data security posture management for AI requires E5 Compliance or equivalent.
What is shadow AI?
Shadow AI is the use of AI tools, such as public chatbots, AI browser extensions and AI features in SaaS apps, without IT approval or oversight. The main risks are sensitive data being entered into tools that retain it, inaccurate outputs used in decisions, and loss of control over intellectual property.
Read: What is shadow AI? Risks and how to control it without blocking innovation.
What our service includes
- AI app discovery – identify generative AI apps in use from network and endpoint data in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps.
- Risk assessment – score each app on data handling, security and compliance.
- Sanction or block – approve safe tools, block high-risk ones, and steer users to approved alternatives such as Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat.
- Data protection – Purview DLP to prevent sensitive data being pasted or uploaded into AI sites from managed devices and browsers.
- AI interaction monitoring – Purview data security posture management for AI where licensed.
- Policy and awareness – an acceptable use policy for AI and staff guidance.
Our process
- Discover AI usage across the organization.
- Assess risk per app and per department.
- Decide sanctioned, monitored and blocked apps.
- Enforce with Defender for Cloud Apps, Purview and endpoint controls.
- Educate users and review regularly.
Benefits
- Visibility of AI use you could not see before.
- Sensitive data kept out of public AI tools.
- Staff keep using AI safely through approved options.
Why choose Skytech Enterprise
- Microsoft security specialists across Defender and Purview.
- Balanced controls that do not simply ban AI.
- Connected to our AI governance services.
Related AI governance services
Shadow AI FAQs
Common questions about controlling shadow AI.
Should we block public AI tools?
Blocking everything usually pushes use onto personal devices. A better approach is to provide approved tools, block high-risk apps and prevent sensitive data from being shared.
How do you discover which AI tools staff use?
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps analyses traffic from endpoints and network devices and maintains a catalogue of generative AI apps with risk scores.
Can we stop staff pasting confidential data into AI sites?
Yes, on managed devices and supported browsers, using Microsoft Purview endpoint DLP and related controls.
Which licences do we need?
Defender for Cloud Apps is included in Microsoft 365 E5 and E5 Security. Purview AI data security features generally require E5 Compliance or equivalent add-ons.
How long does a shadow AI project take?
Discovery usually takes 2 to 3 weeks, with controls rolled out over the following weeks.
Bring AI use into the light
Talk to Skytech Enterprise about discovering and controlling shadow AI.