Assessing the Risk

If all users followed the advice of IT network managers then the security threats faced by most organisations could be greatly reduced.  Similarly, if anti-virus software, security patches and encryption software was fully installed and up-to-date most threats could be prevented.

Organisations have invested heavily in the hard ware and software to keep their networks safe and secure.  However, the reality is that enforcing standards and ensuring basic precautions organization-wide, is never going to be easy.

The Weakest Link

In particular, the increasingly distributed nature of most networks and the growth in the number of laptops and even hand-held devices mean maintaining tight contral control is not easy.   And the larger the network the bigger the problem – for  networks with 10s or 100s of thousands of users the task becomes even harder/more complex.

Users in their daily activities, that often involve devices used on and off the network and for personal as well as business use, can unwittingly expose the network to new threats.  Just one example, is downloaded software, movies, or music.

Network Monitoring Is Key

To ensure the security of their network managers need to be immediately informed where new threats emerge.   In a network of 1,000 of devices across multiple sites, that means being able to pin-point exactly where

·         Anti-virus software, or definitions, are out of date

·         The latest security patches have not been installed

·         Encryption software is not active

·         Rogue files have been downloaded

·         Unapproved software, or executables, have been installed

The Solution

Our IT audit, monitoring and inventory solutions provide managers with exactly this information, generating status information and email alerts as required.  That enables managers to police and enforce a uniformly high standard of security all the way from the centre to the edge of their networks.