Enhancing End-User IT Experience Through Improved Security

Having conducted hundreds of end-user IT health check audits for IT leaders and their teams, it has become clear that most have significant security-related issues to overcome. These health checks allow IT leaders to identify areas for improvement in three key domains:

1. Security Readiness of End-User Devices.
2. The Digital Employee Experience (DEX).
3. Management and Maintenance of the End-User IT Environment.

In our experience, 9 out of 10 customers have been surprised by the findings, particularly concerning critical security readiness issues they believed were effectively managed. Many IT teams rely heavily on policies and automation to prevent issues, which works well most of the time. However, they often lack the instant visibility to detect when things go wrong. This is a widespread issue that needs addressing.

Although IT leaders and their teams prioritize security, they often fall short regarding the day-to-day security readiness of end-user computers. This gap is critical because end-user devices are frequently the entry point for cyber attacks, making their security essential for overall organizational safety.

Top 10 Security-Related Issues Identified in Health Check Audits

These are the top 10 security-related issues most commonly identified in our health check audits:

1. Secure Boot Not in Use:

• Impact: Without Secure Boot, devices are more vulnerable to malware and rootkits that can load before the operating system, compromising the entire system.
• Solution: Ensure Secure Boot is enabled to provide a trusted environment for the OS to start and function securely.

2. Disk Encryption Not in Use:

• Impact: Unencrypted disks can lead to data breaches if devices are lost or stolen, exposing sensitive information.
• Solution: Implement disk encryption to protect data at rest and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.

3. Memory Integrity Not in Use:

• Impact: A lack of memory integrity protections increases the risk of attacks that exploit memory vulnerabilities, such as kernel exploits.
• Solution: Enable memory integrity to enhance protection against sophisticated attacks and ensure system stability.

4. Unnecessary Admin Rights:

• Impact: Users with unnecessary administrative privileges pose a significant risk if their accounts are compromised, allowing attackers to gain full control of the system.
• Solution: Apply the principle of least privilege by restricting admin rights to only those who need them.

5. Missing Critical Security Updates:

• Impact: Outdated systems with missing security updates are prime targets for attackers exploiting known vulnerabilities.
• Solution: Ensure regular and timely installation of critical security updates to protect against known threats.

6. Hard Disk Getting Full:

• Impact: Full disks can lead to system crashes and performance issues, and they often prevent important security updates from being installed.
• Solution: Monitor disk space usage and perform regular maintenance to free up space and ensure optimal performance.

7. End-of-Life OS in Use:

• Impact: Operating systems that have reached end-of-life no longer receive security updates, leaving systems vulnerable to attacks.
• Solution: Upgrade to supported OS versions for ongoing security updates and new features.

8. More OS Versions Than Expected:

• Impact: Inconsistent OS versions across an organization complicate security management and increase the risk of vulnerabilities.
• Solution: Standardize OS versions to simplify management and apply consistent security policies.

9. Software Version Sprawl:

• Impact: Running multiple software versions can lead to unpatched vulnerabilities and increased attack surfaces.
• Solution: Regularly update and standardize software versions to minimize vulnerabilities and simplify management.

10. Unapproved Software in Use:

• Impact: Unapproved or shadow IT software can introduce security risks and compliance issues if not properly vetted and managed.
• Solution: Implement software whitelisting and regular audits to ensure only approved and secure software is used.

Conclusion

Improving the security readiness of your end-user devices significantly improves the end-user IT experience by providing a safe, reliable, and efficient environment that supports productivity and confidence in technology use. At Applixure, we are committed to helping organizations achieve this through comprehensive health checks.

If you're interested in understanding and improving your end-user IT health, contact us to discuss a free detailed audit. Your IT environment's health and security are critical to your success, and we're here to help ensure both are in top shape.

#CyberSecurity #ITManagement #DigitalExperience #Applixure #EndUserSecurity