Often times the biggest security threats are the ones you didn’t see coming.
Most IT problems begin with visibility or lack thereof. IT Asset Management and reliable network inventory reporting is a crucial step in the assessment of your network and it’s vulnerability to outside attacks.
Do you have a method to accurately account for all of the I.T. equipment and cloud services used within your organization?
IT Asset Management involves:
- Obtaining and continually updating an accurate inventory of all IT resources
- Locating gaps in security within the network configuration
- Implementing security measures to address the vulnerable areas
Knowing who and what is connect to your network at all times is clearly important. However, poor asset management dramatically increases your risk to cyber attacks and data breaches.
Potential attacker’s often seek out old or outdated equipment as their point of entry to your network. Once they’re in, they’re able to steal sensitive company data, disrupt business operations and make your entire company and employees vulnerable to fraud and other vicious cyberattacks.
IT Asset Management is essential to addressing these risks efficiently and consistently. Here are some more advantages:
The Perks of Asset Management
Reduces Risk
When your IT person can’t see where all of the assets are located, how they’re managed or whether or not they’re up to date, it dramatically increases the vulnerability of the network as a whole. By implementing an Asset Management program, you’re provided with a full picture of what assets are being used and what areas are most vulnerable to potential threats.
Ensures Software Is Updated
We all know how stressful it can be to maintain different pieces of software the necessary updates that they require. Outdated machines running old software can still be connected to your network and skate by relatively unnoticed, all the while posing as a significant threat to your network’s security. With an accurate inventory structure in place, IT administrators can easily verify that all assets are configured to the company’s security standards and ensure that all software is up-to-date.
Saves You Money
Managing a full suite of software and applications can be a daunting task. Many times you end up repurchasing licenses that you never needed to in the first place. When you have an Asset Management process implemented, you will know what software you have and, more importantly, will be able to easily reclaim or reallocate unused software/licenses to avoid unnecessary purchases or expenses — saving your organization money and time.
Know What’s Connected — and What’s Not
Unidentified or unknown devices connected to your network is one of the most common security risks. When your IT manager can see all of the devices connected, they can implement security measures that assess each device and verify that it is compliant with the processes you have in place.
In turn, your IT manager can also be notified when internal or company-use devices haven’t connected to your network for a period of time. Being able to easily investigate stolen or missing assets saves your organization time, money and prevents possible data breach or sensitive company information.
Where Are All My Machines?
Asset Management allows your IT manager to see where devices are physically located and who is using them. Depending on the size of your business, you will also be able to see which department or cost centre the device is associated with. When a device hasn’t connected to your network for a period or time or isn’t connected properly, it is important to know where that device is located so your IT manager can assess the threat in a timely manner.
The Small Stuff
Non-traditional devices (IoT) can flood your network if not addressed properly. While they may appear to be smaller and insignificant, it is important to remember that most of these devices (smart plugs, lightbulbs, etc) use software and applications that could still pose as a security risk. No matter the size or significance, your IT manager needs to be able to see ALL devices connected to your network to properly assess the security risks associated with them.
Prioritize & Categorize
Not all assets are created equal. Asset Management can categorize all of your assets by their functionality importance to ensure that priority is placed on those that need it most. When your assets are separated by category and prioritized, it allows your IT manager to configure separate security measures based on the importance of the device to your network’s overall infrastructure, and it’s potential security risk when connected or removed from the network.
When implementing your Asset Management policy, assets that contain or incorporate sensitive company information should be categorized accordingly so that if they are ever compromised they are prioritized with the sense of urgency that they deserve.
Improves Inventory Accuracy & Reporting
Often times the inventory reporting of software and devices can go through a variety of different people and departments before it is properly entered into your system. When you have the proper IT Asset Management system in place, you know that your asset inventory database is accurate and up-to-date.
