This blog post recaps the key takeaways from the discussion, highlighting essential steps for achieving Cyber Essentials certification and how IT asset and password management play a crucial role in creating a secure IT environment.

Understanding Cyber Essentials

Cyber Essentials is a UK-government-backed certification that helps organizations of all sizes protect against common cyberthreats. Implementing its five key controls — firewalls, secure configuration, user access control, malware protection and security update management — lays the groundwork for improved security.

According to research findings from CRN, a media brand of The Channel Company, 85%of surveyed IT leaders in the UK are aware of Cyber Essentials, but only 25% have obtained the certification.

The benefits of achieving Cyber Essentials are clear — 57% of certified organizations reported new business and revenue opportunities, and it has become a prerequisite for some public sector contracts. The certification not only ensures compliance but signals to clients, partners and adversaries alike that your organization is committed to cybersecurity.

The importance of IT asset and password management

Our expert panel, which included Rajan Keshwala, solutions engineer at Kaseya, Ellen Daniel, senior content strategist at The Channel Company, and Victoria Pavlova, UK editor at CRN, highlighted that IT asset and password management are essential components of a secure IT environment. Without clear visibility into your IT assets, implementing the five technical controls of Cyber Essentials — such as firewalls, access management and malware protection — becomes significantly more challenging.

Proper IT asset management provides visibility into the devices and systems in use, who has access to them and how secure they are. This comprehensive understanding is critical for reducing vulnerabilities and ensuring that organizations can effectively protect their IT environments, making compliance with Cyber Essentials standards much smoother.

Equally important is password management. Strong password policies, especially when integrated with multifactor authentication (MFA), offer an extra layer of security, protecting critical systems and data from unauthorized access. While 75% of organizations use password management tools, many still face challenges in finding the right balance between security and user-friendliness.

Survey insights on the impact of Cyber Essentials adoption

CRN’s research findings shed light on how organizations are navigating Cyber Essentials certification and the changes they are making to meet its requirements. Here are some of the key findings:

• Firewall and access controls adoption: About 87% of respondents reported having firewalls in place while 86% had implemented user access controls.
• Strategic changes: Organizations adapting to Cyber Essentials noted significant improvements in cybersecurity strategies, such as introducing MFA, enhancing password management and refining device management.
• Hurdles to certification: About 25% of organizations reported difficulty integrating Cyber Essentials due to resource constraints and aligning with industry-specific requirements.

Addressing documentation gaps to strengthen cybersecurity

One of the most significant hurdles to effective IT asset and password management is incomplete or decentralized documentation. Our survey found that 58% of respondents identified this as a major issue, which directly impacts their ability to manage assets and credentials securely. Without clear, consolidated documentation, organizations struggle to maintain visibility over their IT environments, increasing the likelihood of security vulnerabilities and making it harder to comply with frameworks like Cyber Essentials.

Centralizing documentation and conducting a thorough asset audit are key steps to overcoming this challenge. By streamlining the management of IT assets and credentials, organizations can reduce errors, improve operational efficiency and align more easily with Cyber Essentials’ requirements. A unified documentation system not only helps teams track and secure assets more effectively but also lays the groundwork for broader cybersecurity resilience.

The rise of AI in IT operations

As IT environments become more complex, AI is playing an increasingly significant role in helping teams manage these complexities. Our expert panel noted that AI is quickly gaining traction, with 38% of respondents ranking it as a top priority for the next 12 months. AI technologies, like those used in Cooper Copilot, IT Glue’s AI-powered engine, can automate critical processes — ranging from IT asset management to password policies — by leveraging natural language processing, machine learning and automated decision-making. By streamlining these tasks, AI can help ensure compliance with frameworks like Cyber Essentials, reducing the risk of human error while improving efficiency.

Addressing documentation and password management challenges

IT teams often face significant obstacles in managing IT assets and credentials, which can undermine efforts to secure the environment and comply with Cyber Essentials. The CRN’s survey findings revealed two key challenges:

• Incomplete documentation: A substantial 58% of respondents reported issues with incomplete or inaccurate documentation. This lack of comprehensive records makes it difficult to maintain control over IT assets and meet security standards.
• Password management gaps: Many organizations struggle with implementing effective password policies. While 31% enforce complex password criteria, others still rely on default passwords or outdated practices, increasing their exposure to security risks. Centralizing and strengthening password management is critical for reducing these vulnerabilities.

The power of a centralized source of truth

A centralized source of truth for IT assets offers a solution to these challenges by consolidating physical, digital and virtual asset information into one unified system. The CRN’s survey revealed that:

• 73% of respondents have centralized systems for physical assets.
• 64% track domain name registrations centrally, and 53% manage IP address spaces in a consolidated manner.

Centralizing IT documentation improves visibility, reduces operational silos and simplifies compliance with frameworks like Cyber Essentials. With a unified view of assets and credentials, organizations can more effectively manage security risks, streamline processes and enhance overall control over their IT environment — ultimately laying the foundation for stronger cybersecurity resilience.

Conclusion: Paving the way for Cyber Essentials compliance

In summary, effective asset and password management are critical for building a secure foundation and achieving Cyber Essentials certification. By integrating AI-driven solutions, centralizing IT documentation and implementing robust password management, organizations can not only meet certification standards but also enhance their overall cybersecurity posture.

Ready to take the next step? Book a demo of IT Glue to discover how our documentation solutions can help you streamline IT management and security.

The post Webinar Recap: Building a Secure Foundation for Cyber Essentials Through Asset and Password Management appeared first on IT Glue.

At IT Glue, we are continually committed to enhancing security and streamlining IT operations through robust and secure asset, password and SOP management in one interconnected hub. As the next significant step toward that commitment, we’re excited to announce the launch of our all-new Password Policy Enforcement feature in IT Glue. This powerful addition empowers IT administrators and managers like you to create and enforce highly secure passwords tailored to your specific needs, offering greater control and flexibility over password policies.

Boost your security and maximize password strength

IT Glue’s Password Policy Enforcement feature now allows you to select the type and complexity of your passwords, which will then be applied to any newly created passwords afterward, ensuring the new policy is followed. You can determine the type of passwords you want to create (complex passwords or passphrases) and their complexity (password length and required uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters).

The goal is to give you more control and flexibility in creating and enforcing strong passwords that meet the highest security standards and align with your organizational policies and requirements. Generate and document your sensitive data and passwords all in one place, without needing an external password-generation tool.

In addition to the Browser App, Password Policy Enforcement is also available through our IT Glue Mobile App and Browser Extension. No matter where you generate new passwords the policy that you customize will be applied, ensuring your passwords are secure and compliant for all organizations.

Notably, admins also have the option to generate passphrases as passwords. These are six-word passwords divided by a hyphen (‐). IT professionals often struggle to share passwords over phone calls, which can lead to misunderstandings and errors. Passphrases, however, are both strong and easy to dictate, reducing these issues when sharing passwords by phone.

Password Policy Enforcement: Unlocking IT peace of mind

Let’s look at some of the benefits that the feature can bring to IT professionals by strengthening their passwords.

Enhanced data protection and cybersecurity compliance

• Set and forget: Once you set the complexity of your password strength for each organization, then each password created afterward will follow that respective policy and standards/requirements.
• Bolster your security: Generate strong, secure passwords that meet industry standards and protect against cyberthreats. With this feature, IT administrators can ensure that all the new passwords created meet the highest security standards, reducing the risk of breaches and enhancing overall cybersecurity compliance.
• Tailored to your needs: Tailor password length and complexity, including special characters, to align with organizational policies and requirements. This feature will let you decide if passwords need to include special characters, numbers, lowercase and uppercase letters, and, if so, how many.

Robust and centralized password management

• Eliminate the need for external tools: Leveraging the full power of IT Glue, you can save time and money by documenting, generating, managing and enforcing secure passwords all in one pane.
• Enhance your IT efficiency: Administrators can centralize password management and streamline the processes of creating, managing and maintaining all of their critical passwords. This enables IT professionals to be more efficient by reducing the administrative burden of having to access multiple siloed tools for these different functions, in turn reducing human error.
• Complete flexibility: You can also easily and quickly adjust and update the password complexity parameters if your organization’s needs change and evolve.

User-friendly options for varied needs

• Simplify your onboarding: While onboarding clients’ employees, IT professionals can generate passphrases as passwords that are secure yet easy to share and remember, reducing initial login issues and support calls. This feature also enhances the end-user experience. To simplify the onboarding process further, this feature will also include an option to require that all passwords be created as passphrases.

Your one-stop solution for all your password management needs

Password Policy Enforcement is a vital part of IT Glue’s comprehensive password management portfolio, which also includes automated password rotation, offline mode for passwords and the IT Glue Vault. Together, these features provide robust protection and streamlined management for all your password needs.

Learn more about this feature in the knowledge-based article here.

IT Glue’s new Password Policy Enforcement feature ensures your organization’s sensitive information is protected with customized, secure passwords. This feature, along with our other password management capabilities, can significantly enhance your security and operational efficiency, all from one interconnected hub that stores all of your mission-critical IT documentation. To learn how IT Glue provides you with a single source of truth for all your critical IT assets, passwords and SOPs, get a demo now.

The post Ensure Compliance With the New Password Policy Enforcement Feature appeared first on IT Glue.

Until now, all these capabilities were limited to Active Directory passwords. Now, we are introducing the addition of Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft 365 passwords in IT Glue’s password security features for complete password security. Join us as we delve into the functionalities that make IT Glue a preferred choice for dynamic organizations prioritizing security and compliance.

What is automated password rotation?

Automated password rotation is a security measure where passwords are systematically changed on a scheduled basis without manual intervention. This practice is crucial for minimizing the risks associated with stolen or compromised credentials. The top cause of a data breach is human error, like an employee unwittingly giving a cybercriminal their password.

Why is automated password rotation important?

For IT professionals, ensuring robust security measures translates directly to protecting organizational integrity and customer trust. Automated password rotation plays a pivotal role by preemptively renewing credentials before they can be exploited by cybercriminals, thereby enhancing overall security posture and supporting compliance with industry regulations.

Let’s explore some of the specific benefits of Microsoft Entra ID Password Rotation.

Putting password rotation on autopilot

Putting password rotation on autopilot with IT Glue’s automated feature means simplifying the maintenance of password security while enhancing organizational efficiency. Here’s how automated password rotation can transform your security strategy:

1. Time and resource efficiency: Automate the routine, repetitive task of password changes to save valuable time and resources. This shift allows IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than getting bogged down with manual security maintenance tasks.
2. Elimination of human error: Manual password updates are prone to human error, which can lead to security vulnerabilities. Automated password rotation eliminates this risk by ensuring that passwords are changed accurately and consistently, reducing the likelihood of breaches that stem from human mistakes.
3. Streamlined security operations: With automation, the process of updating passwords becomes seamless and non-disruptive. IT Glue’s system ensures that all credentials are rotated as per the set schedules without any need for manual intervention, thus maintaining continuous security coverage.

Robust security for dynamic organizations

IT Glue’s automated password rotation feature is meticulously designed to provide robust security solutions tailored for dynamic organizations. This capability allows IT administrators to proactively manage and secure their network by setting custom password rotation schedules that align with organizational policies and compliance requirements. Here’s how automated password rotation with IT Glue enhances your security landscape:

1. Customizable schedules and frequencies: Tailor the frequency of password rotations to fit the specific needs of your organization.
2. Minimize risks of cyberattacks: With the ability to customize password complexities and rotation parameters, IT Glue helps minimize the organizational risks associated with potential cyberattacks. By regularly updating credentials, you reduce the window of opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit stale passwords.
3. Bulk password updates: IT Glue facilitates the management of password updates by allowing administrators to select and rotate passwords in bulk. This not only saves time but also significantly reduces the workload of IT staff, allowing them to concentrate on more critical tasks.

4. Adaptability to organizational growth: As organizations grow and evolve, their security needs can change. IT Glue’s password rotation feature is built to scale alongside your organization, providing consistent security measures that adapt to your expanding infrastructure.

Bolstering security and compliance for security conscious organizations

IT Glue’s expansion to include Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft 365 in its automated password rotation capabilities marks a significant enhancement in securing a broader range of critical assets. Here’s how this feature enhances security and compliance:

1. Comprehensive protection: By including Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft 365, IT Glue offers a more holistic approach to password security. This integration ensures that key systems are protected by strong, regularly updated credentials, safeguarding sensitive corporate and customer data.
2. Compliance with regulations: Many industries have strict regulations requiring robust data protection measures, including mandatory password changes. IT Glue’s automated password rotation helps organizations meet these compliance requirements more efficiently and without the risk of human error.
3. Prevent unauthorized access: Regularly updating passwords reduces the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive systems and information. Scheduled rotations ensure that even if a password is compromised, its lifespan is limited, significantly reducing the potential impact of a security breach.

Getting started

This feature is available to users subscribed to Network Glue. For more details on setting up and optimizing automated password rotation, click here.

Not a Network Glue Partner yet? Experience the benefits of streamlined and secure password management. Get a demo today and see how IT Glue can transform your organization’s security strategy.

The post Reduce Credential Stealing and Increase Security with Automated Password Rotation appeared first on IT Glue.

In this blog, we’ll explore the essentials of IAM, including its key components, like authentication, authorization and single sign-on (SSO), along with its benefits, such as enhanced security and improved compliance. We’ll also share best practices for effective IAM implementation and discuss how IT Glue can fortify your cybersecurity measures. Dive into the details with us to understand why IAM plays a pivotal role in today’s digital ecosystem.

What is identity and access management (IAM)?

Identity and access management is a framework of business processes, policies and technologies that facilitates the management of electronic identities. By organizing user roles, data access permissions and the circumstances in which data or resources can be accessed, IAM systems ensure that the right individuals access the right resources at the right times for the right reasons.

Why is identity and access management important?

In today’s interconnected world, where data breaches are costly and damaging, IAM plays a pivotal role in protecting an organization’s digital assets. By ensuring that access is limited to authenticated and authorized users, IAM systems help prevent unauthorized access and potential security breaches.

Notably, the rise of phishing attacks and sophisticated models, like phishing-as-a-service, has prompted businesses to re-evaluate their cybersecurity strategies. Phishing, where attackers trick employees into giving up sensitive information, remains one of the most common and effective methods of cyberattacks. Identity and access management acts as a critical last line of defense against these threats, ensuring that even if credentials are compromised, the damage can be contained.

IAM is integral not just in defending against external threats but also in managing the internal complexities of corporate environments. As companies grow and adapt, they often find themselves managing an increasingly diverse set of users and devices accessing their systems. Here, IAM provides a structured way to manage identities, control access permissions and monitor activities across a wide range of scenarios.

Moreover, the significance of IAM extends beyond mere security. It is essential for ensuring regulatory compliance across various industries. Whether it’s the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) or any other regulatory requirement, IAM helps enforce the policies that keep businesses on the right side of the law while securing sensitive data against unauthorized access.

What are the key components of IAM?

Identity and access management comprises several fundamental components that work together to secure digital identities and manage access within an organization. Let’s break down these core components and their roles in an IAM framework.

Authentication

Authentication serves as the gateway to accessing any secure system. It verifies the identity of users attempting to gain access to an organization’s network or applications. This process requires users to present credentials, such as usernames and passwords, biometric data or security tokens. Modern IAM systems often employ multifactor authentication (MFA), which requires two or more verification factors, providing a higher level of security than simple password protection.

Authorization

Once authentication is confirmed, the next step is authorization, which determines the resources a user is permitted to access. This process involves assigning and enforcing permissions based on predefined policies that consider the user’s role within the organization. The authorization ensures that users have appropriate access levels to perform their job functions without exposing unnecessary data or functions that could be exploited if compromised.

Administration

Administration involves the management of user identities, roles, access rights and security policies. This component of IAM includes tasks such as creating new user accounts, modifying or deleting old ones, setting up and enforcing security policies, and managing permissions across diverse systems. Effective administration not only helps in streamlining operational processes but also in maintaining compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

Single sign-on (SSO)

Single sign-on (SSO) is a user authentication service that allows a user to use one set of login credentials (e.g., name and password) to access multiple applications. The service benefits users by simplifying the management of multiple usernames and passwords, and it benefits enterprises by lowering the cost of IT support services related to password recovery. SSO is particularly useful in environments where users are required to access multiple applications during their workflow.

Identity governance

Identity governance encompasses the policies and technologies needed to ensure the right people have the right access to technology resources. It includes the management of digital identity and user rights, where the identities are stored and the policies that determine how access is granted. Effective identity governance helps organizations meet compliance challenges, manage risk more effectively, reduce IT costs and improve user productivity and satisfaction by streamlining and automating IAM processes.

What are the benefits of IAM?

Implementing access and identity management systems brings numerous benefits to an organization, some of which are:

• Enhanced security: IAM provides a robust framework to protect against unauthorized access, identity theft and data breaches. By ensuring that access rights are appropriately managed, IAM helps in minimizing potential vulnerabilities within the system.
• Improved compliance: With IAM, organizations can enforce strong access controls and maintain detailed audit trails, which are essential for meeting compliance requirements in many regulated industries.
• Increased productivity: By streamlining access processes, IAM allows users to get their job done more efficiently while reducing the burden on IT staff by automating routine tasks such as password resets and account provisioning.
• Cost savings: Effective IAM security reduces the risk of IT incidents and their associated costs. By preventing data breaches and other security events, organizations can avoid losses and penalties associated with these incidents.

What are some IAM best practices?

Adopting best practices in identity and access management is essential for organizations seeking to enhance their security posture, improve operational efficiency and ensure regulatory compliance. Let’s explore some critical best practices that can make IAM implementations more effective.

Implementing strong authentication mechanisms

Strong authentication mechanisms are the cornerstone of effective IAM. Utilizing MFA bolsters security significantly. MFA requires users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access, which dramatically reduces the risk of unauthorized access due to compromised credentials. This can include something the user knows (password), something the user has (security token) and something the user is (biometric verification). Organizations should consider context-based authentication, which adjusts the required level of authentication based on the user’s location, time of access and other contextual factors.

Enforcing the principle of least privilege

The principle of least privilege (PoLP) involves restricting user access rights to only those necessary to perform their job. This minimizes the risk of accidental or malicious breaches from within the organization. Regular audits and reviews should be conducted to ensure that access rights are appropriate, with adjustments made as user roles change or as they leave the organization. Enforcing PoLP not only secures sensitive information but also helps control system configurations and operational complexities.

Regularly reviewing and updating access policies

In dynamic business environments, access requirements can change frequently as new roles are created and organizational goals evolve. Regular reviews and updates of access policies ensure that security measures are aligned with current business needs and compliance requirements. This includes updating permissions, removing redundant user accounts and adjusting roles to accommodate changes in the workforce or business processes.

Monitoring user activity

Continuous monitoring of user activity is vital to detect and respond to potential security incidents promptly. This includes tracking login attempts, access to sensitive data and changes to user permissions. Implementing automated alerts for unusual behavior, such as accessing systems at odd hours or downloading large volumes of data, can help identify potential security breaches early. Monitoring tools should be integrated with other security systems to provide comprehensive oversight and facilitate rapid response to incidents.

How IT Glue can help you with identity and access management

Implementing an efficient and secure identity and access management strategy is crucial for any organization looking to protect its digital assets and streamline its IT operations. IT Glue is a leading IT documentation platform that offers robust features that can not only enhance your IAM processes but also take your IT documentation to the next level. Here’s how IT Glue can support your organization in implementing an effective IAM framework:

• Streamlined documentation and centralized information: One of the fundamental ways IT Glue aids in IAM is through its comprehensive documentation capabilities. IT Glue provides a centralized repository for all IT documentation, which is essential for managing user identities and access controls. By having all critical information stored in one place, IT administrators can quickly and accurately manage user access settings, track changes and audit permissions. This centralization reduces errors and discrepancies in user data, which is crucial for effective identity management.
• Enhanced security with controlled access: Security is a prime concern in IAM, and IT Glue addresses this by offering controlled access to documentation. Access to sensitive information can be finely tuned to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to critical data. IT Glue allows for role-based access controls, ensuring that users only see what they need to see to perform their tasks. This not only tightens security but also supports the enforcement of the principle of least privilege — a best practice in IAM.
• Automated workflows to improve efficiency: Automation is the key to increasing efficiency in IAM processes. IT Glue automates routine IAM tasks, such as user provisioning and deprovisioning, password management and security policy enforcement. This automation reduces the administrative burden on IT staff, allowing them to focus on more strategic tasks while ensuring that IAM tasks are performed accurately and consistently. Automation also helps in maintaining compliance with security policies and regulations by enforcing consistent application across the board.
• Robust integration capabilities: IT Glue’s strength also lies in its ability to integrate seamlessly with other tools and platforms that organizations use for IAM, such as active directory services and single sign-on solutions. This integration capability ensures that changes in IT Glue are reflected across all systems, maintaining consistency and reducing the risk of security gaps. By integrating with a wide range of IAM-related tools, IT Glue helps create a unified security environment that is easier to manage and monitor.

By leveraging IT Glue, organizations benefit from efficient IT documentation, improved security, enhanced compliance, reduced IT overhead and increased operational efficiency. To explore how IT Glue can transform your IAM strategies and fortify your organization against cyberthreats, get a free demo today.

The post What Is Identity and Access Management (IAM)? appeared first on IT Glue.

What is SNMPv3?

Simple Network Management Protocol Version 3 (SNMPv3) is an advanced version of SNMP. Primarily used for network management, SNMPv3 ensures secure access to devices by providing enhanced security features. Unlike its predecessors, SNMPv3 supports strong authentication and encryption, making it a go-to choice for managing complex network environments securely.

SNMPv3 is crucial in contemporary network management for its ability to provide secure and reliable data about network devices. Its enhanced security features make it well-suited for modern, sensitive environments where data integrity and privacy are paramount.

Why is SNMPv3 important?

In an era where cyberthreats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, the security of network management protocols is non-negotiable. SNMPv3 addresses this concern by offering robust security measures, ensuring that the management of network devices and the transfer of critical information happen in a secure, encrypted manner. For IT professionals, this translates to peace of mind, knowing that their network’s integrity and performance are not compromised.

How does SNMPv3 work?

SNMPv3 operates on an advanced framework that significantly enhances the security and efficiency of network management. Here’s a technical breakdown of how SNMPv3 functions:

1. Architecture: SNMPv3 retains the basic structure of SNMP, which includes an SNMP manager and SNMP agents. The manager sends requests to agents residing on network devices, and these agents send back responses. However, SNMPv3 introduces a modular architecture comprising three primary components:

• Security subsystem: Responsible for authenticating and encrypting data packets.
• Access control subsystem: Determines whether an SNMP request from a user should be processed or denied.
• Message processing subsystem: Encodes and decodes packets and maps security models to SNMP versions.

2. User-based security model (USM): At the core of SNMPv3’s security enhancements is the USM. USM provides:

• Authentication: It ensures that a message is from a legitimate source. SNMPv3 supports stronger authentication protocols like HMAC-MD5-96 and HMAC-SHA-96. These protocols use a secret key and a hashing algorithm to generate a message digest, which is sent along with the message.
• Encryption: To maintain confidentiality, SNMPv3 uses encryption algorithms, such as DES, 3DES or AES, to encrypt the payload of the SNMP message. This prevents unauthorized entities from reading the content of the messages.

3. View-based access control model (VACM): VACM in SNMPv3 allows for finer control over access to managed objects. It defines who (the user) has access to what (the object) and how (the level of access like read-only or read-write).
4. SNMP messages: SNMPv3 operates using different types of messages (or protocol data units (PDUs)) for various operations:

• Get: Request to retrieve a value from an SNMP agent.
• Set: Request to change a value on an SNMP agent.
• GetNext: Request to retrieve the next value in a table or list.
• GetBulk: Request multiple values in a single request (useful for large amounts of data).
• Inform: Used between managers to communicate information.
• Response: Reply from an agent to a manager’s request.
• Trap: Asynchronous notification from an agent to the manager.

5. Communication flow: The SNMP manager initiates the communication by sending a request to an agent. The USM module in the agent authenticates and decrypts the message. Then, VACM checks if the requester has the necessary access rights. If all checks are passed, the agent processes the request and sends back a response, which is encrypted and authenticated for security.
6. Secure data handling: Throughout this process, SNMPv3 ensures that data is handled securely. Authentication prevents tampering and spoofing, and encryption safeguards data privacy during transmission.

In summary, SNMPv3 works by employing advanced security mechanisms for authentication, encryption and access control. These features make it an ideal protocol for securely managing and monitoring network devices in a wide range of environments.

How does SNMP improve security?

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) plays a crucial role in enhancing network security, particularly in its third iteration, SNMPv3. Unlike its predecessors, SNMPv3 introduces robust security mechanisms addressing authentication, privacy and access control. At the heart of its security improvements is the user-based security model (USM), which allows for strong authentication protocols, such as HMAC-MD5-96 or HMAC-SHA-96.

These protocols verify the identity of users sending requests, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access network data. Additionally, SNMPv3 supports encryption algorithms like DES, 3DES or AES, which encrypt the data payload, thereby protecting sensitive information from interception and unauthorized viewing during transit. This is especially vital when managing devices over unsecured or public networks.

Furthermore, SNMPv3’s view-based access control model (VACM) allows for granular control over who can view or manipulate specific network information, further tightening network security by restricting access based on defined roles and responsibilities. These technical advancements make SNMPv3 a more secure and reliable choice for network management, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of critical network operations.

Common challenges of SNMPv3 and how to overcome them

While SNMPv3 enhances security, its implementation can be complex. Setting up SNMPv3 involves configuring users, authentication methods and encryption settings. This complexity can lead to misconfigurations, posing potential security risks. Overcoming these challenges involves thorough planning, proper training of IT staff and leveraging tools like IT Glue’s Network Glue add-on, which simplifies the process of automatically discovering and documenting devices that have enabled SNMPv3.

How can SNMPv3 help your business?

SNMPv3 can significantly benefit businesses by providing a secure and efficient way to manage network devices. Its robust security features protect against unauthorized access and data tampering, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of network data. This is especially crucial for businesses handling sensitive information. Additionally, SNMPv3’s ability to provide detailed and accurate network information aids in troubleshooting, optimizing network performance and making informed decisions about network management.

How does IT Glue use SNMPv3 for network management?

IT Glue’s Network Glue add-on is an ideal solution for documenting SNMPv3 devices for a dynamic and optimal network management strategy.

Network Glue automates the documentation of both managed and unmanaged devices, Azure AD and Active Directory users, as well as network diagrams, ensuring everything in your network is accurately mapped and information is up to date. By having the capability to automatically document SNMPv3 devices, Network Glue offers a secure, comprehensive view of your network, making it easier to manage and optimize.

Network Glue not only automates the discovery and documentation of SNMPv3 devices, enhancing the overall security and efficiency of your IT operations, but it also makes this mission-critical information easily accessible next to the rest of your IT documentation in IT Glue.

On top of this, Network Glue provides 1-Click Active Directory Password Rotation to help you put password rotation on autopilot based on your desired schedule or instantly, as needed. This helps you ensure your passwords never go stale, keeping your data secure.

IT Glue’s solutions are purpose-built for IT professionals, offering seamless integration, ease of use and robust security. To learn more about how IT Glue can revolutionize your network management with SNMPv3, request a demo today.

The post What Is SNMPv3? Use Cases and How It Works appeared first on IT Glue.

In this blog, let’s explore the different aspects of password management and how you can effectively secure your passwords with a powerful password manager.

What is password management?

The focus of password management is to prevent unauthorized access. You can achieve that by incorporating various policies and sustainable practices for storing and managing passwords from their creation to closure. Centralized password management ensures easy management of complex passwords and provides secure access to critical information stored within an organization.

Why is password management important?

The IT landscape is expanding at a rapid pace. The number of tools used by people in an IT setting has increased considerably over the last decade. You need strong passwords to authenticate your logins and keep cybercriminals at bay. However, most people find it complex to maintain different passwords for different logins. As a result, they engage in poor practices like reusing the same credentials all over the web or writing down their credentials on sticky notes.

These practices can be quite dangerous for your digital security. When you have a password management tool in place, all you have to do is remember one master password. This allows you to create strong and unique passwords that are difficult to crack. Also, you can securely share logins with your team members when required without compromising your security.

What are the different types of password management?

Not all passwords are the same. There are personal passwords you use every day for your day-to-day online accounts, and there are business passwords that provide access to critical data in an organization. It is important to have different password management practices based on the significance of these accounts. Some of the common password management types are as follows:

Personal password management

These are your daily life passwords including your banking info, your Netflix account, email accounts, etc. Many people have poor personal password management practices, and it is quite common to use sticky notes to write down passwords. Some login credentials like banking information cannot fall into the wrong hands. You can ensure better password management by using a password manager that comes as a browser extension.

Business personal password management

These are business-related passwords that have an individual login like Salesforce or any other cloud-based SaaS. Many organizations let their employees have their own password management practices, and this can make their entire IT infrastructure vulnerable to attacks. You need a strong password manager that reinforces security across your IT environment.

Business admin passwords

Admin passwords are of utmost importance in an IT infrastructure. This may also include shared logins among multiple technicians like Office 365. Ordinary password management tools are not sufficient to maintain admin passwords. You need a strong password management solution that enables easy sharing of logins among multiple users.

What is a password management policy?

According to Verizon, an estimated 81% of security breaches are caused by poor passwords. If you wish to eliminate password-related breaches in your organization, you need to incorporate a strong password management policy that outlines rules for the creation and management of passwords in your organization.

You need to create a detailed document that includes the policy’s purpose and the requirements that must be met when passwords are created. For instance, you can set the length of the password along with the character requirements (lower case, upper case, special characters, numbers, etc.). You can also set policies for maximum login attempts, the duration for password change, multifactor authentication requirements, etc.

When you have a robust password management tool, it is easy to create and enforce policies throughout your organization.

What is password management software?

Password management software refers to a software tool that stores and manages passwords in an encrypted database. Besides storing the passwords you create, you can also use this software to generate complex, unique passwords that ensure secure authentication. When you use a password manager, you have to remember only the master password to access this tool. The passwords stored in the encrypted vault can be retrieved as and when they are required.

How does password management software work?

Password managers work in a simple mechanism. All your passwords are stored in the vault first. When you are logging in to an account, you just need to access the vault with the matter password. All your complex and lengthy passwords can be easily retrieved whenever you need them.

Most top password management tools like IT Glue also come with something called host-proof hosting. It means the password manager will have zero knowledge of what is stored in the vault. The user data stored here is fully encrypted, and it can be accessed only with the security key. These different layers of defenses make it extremely difficult for cybercriminals to access the stored passwords.

Some of the different types of password managers are listed below.

• On-premises password managers: These password managers are preferred by small organizations that have their own closed environments. These are privately hosted and may be used even without the internet.
• Cloud-based password managers: Here, the passwords are stored in cloud servers. You can access these passwords from anywhere in the world. The cloud servers are centrally hosted and can be scaled up whenever required.
• Browser-based password managers: Top internet browsers have extensions for password managers. These extensions can easily retrieve the passwords and autofill the credentials whenever required.
• Mobile password managers: There are also password managers available for mobile devices of various operating systems. They function similarly by auto-filling passwords in various websites and mobile applications.
• Single sign-on (SSO): This is an authentication method that allows users to login into various applications and websites with the help of a single set of credentials. To take advantage of this method, you have to sign up with an identity provider and leverage this identity across multiple platforms.

Alternatives to a password manager

Without a robust password manager, you may have to use any of the following methods to manage your passwords.

• Documents or notes applications on their phones or laptops
• Sticky notes and leave them near their desktop
• A password protected master spreadsheet with all passwords

Many people still use methods because it is convenient, and they mistakenly believe that these are secure ways. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that passwords stored in these modes can easily be compromised. In addition, a lack of audit capabilities also means it will be hard to trace a breach or prove compliance when required.

What are the benefits of using a password manager?

Managing your passwords becomes much easier when you have a password manager in the system. Some of the key benefits of using a password manager are as follows.

• Single source of truth for all passwords: Your password manager becomes the single source of truth for all your passwords. You can manage all your passwords in a centralized solution and access them whenever you want.
• Removes the need to memorize passwords: When you have a password manager, you don’t have to memorize or write down complex, lengthy passwords. You can retrieve passwords when required or simply use the browser extension to autofill your passwords.
• Boost productivity: You can autofill credentials and log in to your accounts instantly. This helps you save time. Moreover, it prevents downtime caused by lost or forgotten passwords. This enables you to work more efficiently.
• Easy collaboration: When working on shared business accounts, you can use a password manager to provide temporary control to your team members. This boosts collaboration without compromising your security.
• Auto prompts for new passwords to be stored: When you create a new password for a new account, you will get the auto prompt in your password solution to store it in the vault.
• Eliminate shoulder surfers: When you use your passwords in a public setting, you risk attacks from shoulder surfers who now use the latest technology like micro-cameras to steal passwords. With features like SSO, you don’t have to use passwords every time you have to login into an account.

What are password management best practices?

Some of the best practices for password management are as follows.

• Create lengthy, complex passwords: Most short passwords have already found their way to the dark web and can be easily compromised with a brute force attack. Password managers can automatically generate complex, lengthy and unique passwords that are difficult to crack.
• Create unique passwords for different accounts: Reusing passwords is another easy way to compromise multiple accounts at the same time. You need to create unique passwords for different accounts.
• Keep your passwords secret: All your passwords must be kept secret. Writing them down on excel sheets or sticky notes can compromise them easily. With a password manager, you can store all your passwords securely without anyone else accessing them.
• Practice password security: Password management is not just a one-time activity. It is something that must be practiced every day. Don’t share passwords with others, don’t leave them for others to find and don’t use shady password managers. Also, make sure you follow the best security practices when it comes to passwords.
• Define a password management policy: Draft a password management policy and enforce it across your organization. Also, make sure you periodically review your policies and identify violations when they occur.

When choosing a password management tool, make sure that it has the following features:

• SOC 2 Type II – This is a compliance standard that is concerned with how well a company is safeguarding its customer data. When your password tool is SOC 2 compliant, it is easy to ensure compliance and submit reports during an audit.
• SSO – This gives you complete control over your accounts without having to log in to different apps and websites. When working on multiple busy tasks, SSO makes the process more efficient.
• IP Access Control – You can use this control to assign which IP address can access the critical data in your organization.
• Host-proof hosting – You must make sure that your passwords are safeguarded even from the service provider. This allows you to encrypt your passwords, and even the service provider cannot access them without your security key.
• 2FA or MFA – The security of the traditional username and password login is supplemented by an additional layer of protection. This provides better control as to who has access to your data.
• Audit trails – This refers to the series of records documented by your password manager pertaining to user activity.
• At-risk password reports – When an employee leaves, it’s important to understand what passwords they have access to and would require changing.
• Sensitive passwords access notification – When your sensitive passwords are accessed by someone, you must get a notification to verify their authenticity. This helps you prevent cyberattacks originating from internal actors.

Password management with IT Glue

IT Glue is an award-winning documentation solution that comes packed with powerful password management features. With this, you can securely store and access both your business personal passwords and team-based passwords, and you can easily relate them to the rest of your documentation.

IT Glue has granular permissions so you can control who can access the passwords, and it also has OTP for admin passwords, so multiple technicians can access admin accounts like office 365 all securely. It also with SSO, IP access control, host proof hosting, MFA, audit trails and more, all within a SOC 2 type ii compliant solution.

To know more about how IT Glue can help you with password management, request a demo.

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The post Password Management: The Complete Guide to Securing Your IT Environment appeared first on IT Glue.

The growing complexity of network topology and lack of visibility into it are significant obstacles that IT pros face while identifying, troubleshooting and fixing issues in an organizational network. What devices are connecting to the network? What do those devices have access to? How do these devices interact with each other? Such precise information about the assets in a network is crucial for IT pros to effectively manage the network.

Network visibility is also crucial in terms of operational efficiency. It can help in troubleshooting bottlenecks that affect a business’s day-to-day operations and accelerate the seamless adoption of transformative technologies. Network visibility is critical to cybersecurity as well. The absence of a clear understanding of network assets, connections and vulnerabilities can expose an organization to the rapidly expanding threat landscape.

So, how can organizations get a better understanding of their growing networks and gain better control of the countless devices in them? That’s where effective network discovery can be a game changer. Let’s see what network discovery is and how it can help improve the visibility of today’s complex IT environments.

What is network discovery?

Network discovery, also known as IT asset discovery or simply IT discovery, is the process that enables all the devices in a network to identify and connect with each other. It helps IT teams locate all the devices in a network, build network maps, manage device inventories, implement proper device access policies and achieve better control of the IT infrastructure overall.

Network discovery is like creating a map of your organization’s digital world, identifying every device, application and connection within the network. With it, IT teams can gain critical insights into the network’s structure, which is crucial for optimizing performance, maintaining security and making informed IT decisions.

What is the purpose of network discovery?

The main purpose of network discovery is to shed light on what’s happening in a large and dynamic network. Network discovery provides enhanced visibility into an enterprise’s network infrastructure that includes a wide variety of elements like network bridges, gateways, wireless access points, routers, modems, switches and hubs. It helps network administrators locate all these devices in the network, understand how they’re connected and discover any potential issues.

Why is network discovery important?

Today, organizations rely on a combination of wired, wireless, virtual and cloud networks. It is extremely difficult for IT pros to identify the root cause of an issue in these hybrid environments. As digital operations scale, the networks will equally evolve, further complicating the scenario.

Network discovery empowers IT pros to locate all the devices in a network easily and understand the relationship between them. It helps them readily identify, troubleshoot and fix different issues. For instance, if a network is experiencing downtime, network discovery provides IT pros with relevant data, allowing them to identify and address the issue swiftly. With network discovery, IT pros can effortlessly troubleshoot and resolve bottlenecks that might otherwise negatively impact the operational efficiency and security of an organization.

What types of network assets are discovered?

A network asset is any device, data or mission-critical component of your IT infrastructure. IT assets generally fall under two broad categories: hardware and software.

• Hardware assets include network bridges, gateways, modems, routers, switches, hubs, firewalls, printers, etc.
• Software assets include operating systems, applications, support systems, patches and updates, etc.

How does network discovery work?

Network discovery involves systematically exploring and charting the digital landscape, locating every device, application and connection within the network infrastructure.

The first step in network discovery is to scan the entire network to locate all assets and gather information from each device, including device type, unique IDs and other relevant details. The next step is to determine how these devices are interconnected. For instance, a computer may be connected to a printer as well as to the internet via a router. It is essential to collect all this information to have a clear understanding of the network’s structure.

All this information should then be categorized so that it’s easy for your IT team to access the information they need when they need it. It becomes a valuable resource for them, offering insights into what assets are present, how they interact and where critical information is located.

What are network discovery protocols?

One of the most effective ways to discover the assets in a network is by leveraging a network discovery tool. Be it any tool, they use three basic network discovery protocols while sharing information about devices and their connections. These protocols enable the process of network discovery to unfold seamlessly. They are:

Simple network management protocol (SNMP)

Simple network management protocol (SNMP) is an internet standard protocol that is widely used for monitoring and managing network assets. SNMP allows IT pros to gather and organize detailed information about network assets. Devices equipped with SNMP respond to requests from a central management system, which then gathers details like device uptime, network traffic and system performance.

Link layer discovery protocol (LLDP)

LLDP is an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEE) standard protocol that allows devices to transmit information about them to their directly connected neighbors at regular intervals. When a device connects to the network, it sends LLDP messages containing information, such as its identity, port and type. The recipient devices store this information in management information databases (MIBs) that IT pros can easily access.

Internet control message protocol (ICMP)

Internet control message protocol (ICMP) queries are used to check if devices are reachable in a network. It’s equivalent to sending echoes through a network. One of the most familiar uses of ICMP is the “ping” command. When a device sends a message (ping) to another device, the receiving device responds, allowing network administrators to verify the existence and responsiveness of devices on the network.

What is a network discovery tool?

Network discovery tools are software or applications designed to automate and seamlessly facilitate network discovery. Leveraging the protocols mentioned above, they help IT pros discover and gather information about:

• All the hardware on the network, like printers, switches, firewalls, servers, etc.
• All the software on the network, like different applications and operating systems.
• Wired, wireless, virtual and cloud networks.
• The physical and logical relationships between all the network assets.

Network discovery tools automate this whole discovery process so that IT pros can quickly get real-time information about the entire enterprise network.

Active vs. passive discovery tools

There are two types of discovery tools: active and passive.

Active discovery tools follow the classic ping-and-response approach. They proactively initiate communication with network devices by sending out signals or requests. These tools typically use techniques like SNMP queries, ICMP requests and network scanning to seek responses from devices, collecting information about their presence, configuration and status.

While active discovery provides immediate and up-to-date information about devices on the network, it can also slow down a network due to all the contact attempts it broadcasts to the devices. Active discovery is thus not a good option for time-sensitive networks like an industrial control system (ICS).

Passive discovery tools, on the other hand, have a more laid-back approach. These tools extract information from devices without directly engaging with them. Instead of actively reaching out to devices, they monitor network communication passively, analyzing the data packets traversing the network.

Since it does not impact the network bandwidth or performance, passive discovery is ideal for networks that necessitate minimum network disruption. However, it does require all the network devices to send syslogs, which are regularly updated in a log management solution.

The choice between active and passive discovery often depends on the specific characteristics and requirements of the network environment. In some cases, organizations even employ a combination of both active and passive discoveries to benefit from the strengths of both approaches.

What are the benefits of network discovery?

Network discovery offers several key benefits for organizations, playing a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency, security and strategic decision-making within their digital landscapes. Here are a few of those benefits:

• Comprehensive visibility: Network discovery provides organizations with a detailed map of their digital infrastructure, offering critical insights into the devices, connections and applications present. It also ensures that organizations have up-to-date information about every change happening in their network, enabling proactive management.
• Optimized operational efficiency: By knowing the devices and applications in use, organizations can allocate resources more effectively, optimizing network performance and responsiveness. Network discovery also helps identify bottlenecks, allowing for targeted improvements to enhance overall performance.
• Enhanced security: Network discovery also identifies potential security risks by recognizing all connected devices and highlighting any unauthorized or suspicious activities. Organizations can implement better user access control policies by understanding who and what is connected to the network, reducing the risk of unwarranted access.
• Effective troubleshooting: Network discovery helps IT pros swiftly identify the root causes when a network problem arises, streamlining the troubleshooting process. If there are problematic devices or connections, IT pros can isolate those issues and address them promptly, drastically minimizing downtime.
• Cost savings: Efficient use of network resources, informed by network discovery, can result in considerable cost savings. You can avoid unnecessary hardware purchases and optimize the existing infrastructure with informed decisions. Quick issue resolution and proactive monitoring reduce downtime, minimizing the potential financial impact of network disruptions.
• Vital cog in the digital transformation journey: Network discovery can also play a crucial role in your digital transformation journey by facilitating adaptability to changes brought about by digital transformation initiatives like the adoption of cloud services. Understanding the existing network architecture allows organizations to seamlessly integrate new technologies into their digital ecosystems.

Discover network assets with Network Glue

If you are looking for a solution that can help you give complete visibility into your or your client’s complex and ever-growing IT network, look no further.

Network Glue is the automation engine of IT Glue and is an all-in-one automated discovery, documentation, password rotation and diagramming solution that automates and enhances your network discovery. Network Glue’s agent — Network Glue Collector — leverages different network discovery protocols, including SNMP, pings, broadcasts, windows management instrumentation (WMI), and Active Directory, to discover network device information automatically. With Network Glue, you can automate the documentation of both managed and unmanaged devices, Azure AD and Active Directory users, as well as network diagrams.

Network Glue gives you complete and real-time visibility into the whole IT environment, leaving behind no blind spots. You can get all the information you need about a device, including its name, type and description, IP address(es), MAC address(es), port, port groups, virtual connection type, status, virtualization type and so on. Moreover, it offers automated visualizations, delivering up-to-date network diagrams that provide enhanced visibility into the IT environments. It also has robust capabilities like automated Active Directory password rotation that ensures that your network is completely safe.

Do you want to learn more about Network Glue? Get a demo now.

The post What Is Network Discovery? appeared first on IT Glue.

What is incident management?

Incident management refers to the coordinated activities to handle and resolve disruptions or potential disruptions in IT services. This process is pivotal in restoring services as quickly as possible and minimizing the impact on business operations. The incident response life cycle, a core aspect of incident management, outlines the steps from the initial detection of an incident to its resolution and review.

Why is incident management vital for IT professionals?

Incident management is not just about fixing problems; it’s about maintaining business continuity, ensuring customer satisfaction, and protecting the integrity of IT services. Effective incident management can mean the difference between a minor hiccup and a major business crisis.

Incident management vs problem management

While incident management focuses on resolving disruptions quickly, problem management digs deeper, aiming to identify the root cause of incidents to prevent future occurrences. Both processes are integral to Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) incident management, a set of best practices for delivering IT services.

The role of documentation in incident management

Documentation is the backbone of successful incident management. It ensures that all team members are on the same page, facilitates rapid decision-making and helps track the progress of incident resolution. IT Glue, with its robust documentation capabilities, plays a pivotal role in this aspect.

Pillars of incident management: automation, prioritization and communication

There are three strategic pillars of incident management. They are:

• Automation: Streamlines the incident management process, reducing the time and resources needed for resolution.
• Prioritization: Ensures that incidents are addressed in order of their impact on business operations.
• Communication: Keeps all stakeholders informed, fostering a collaborative approach to incident resolution.

Best practices for incident management

Improving incident management is critical for ensuring quick and effective resolution of IT issues, thereby minimizing their impact on business operations. Check out our Incident Response Checklist for a comprehensive guide on managing incidents efficiently.

Some best practices for enhancing incident management include:

1. A structured incident management process: Establishing a formal, structured incident management process is vital. This includes clear procedures for incident identification, logging, categorization, prioritization, resolution and closure. Following a structured approach ensures consistency and efficiency in handling incidents.
2. Effective documentation: Keeping detailed records of all incidents is crucial. Documentation should include the nature of the incident, steps taken for resolution and the outcome. This information is invaluable for future reference and for improving the incident management process. Tools like IT Glue offer robust documentation capabilities, making it easier to track and manage incidents.
3. Use of automation tools: Automation can significantly speed up the incident management process. Automated tools can help in incident detection, alerting the relevant personnel, and even in resolving common issues. Automation reduces the response time and the possibility of human error.
4. Regular training and awareness: Continuously training IT staff on the latest incident management procedures and tools is essential. Equally important is raising awareness among all employees about the importance of reporting incidents promptly and accurately.
5. Prioritization and categorization: Not all incidents are equally critical. It’s important to categorize and prioritize incidents based on their impact on the business. This ensures that resources are allocated effectively and critical incidents are addressed first.
6. Effective communication: Keeping all stakeholders informed during the incident management process is crucial. This includes not only the IT team but also the affected business units and, if necessary, the customers. Clear and timely communication can alleviate concerns and prevent misinformation.
7. Post-incident review and continuous improvement: After resolving an incident, conducting a post-incident review is important to identify what went well and what could be improved. This review should lead to continuous improvement in the incident management process.
8. Integration with other IT service management processes: Incident management should not exist in isolation. Integrating it with other IT service management processes, such as problem management and change management, can provide a more holistic approach to IT service delivery.
9. Leveraging technology and tools: Utilizing the right tools and technology, like IT Glue, can significantly enhance the incident management process. These tools can help with better tracking, automation and integration with other systems.
10. Fostering a collaborative culture: Encouraging a culture where team members collaborate and share knowledge can lead to more effective incident resolution. A collaborative environment fosters innovation and continuous learning, which are crucial for effective incident management.

By following these best practices, organizations can not only improve their incident management processes but also enhance their overall IT service delivery, leading to greater business efficiency and customer satisfaction.

IT Glue: Enhancing incident management through documentation and automation

IT Glue excels in the documentation and automation aspects of incident management. It enables seamless recording and sharing of incident details, ensuring rapid resolution and effective communication.

IT Glue can play a transformative role in enhancing incident management through its advanced documentation capabilities and integrations with leading IT service management (ITSM) tools such as Kaseya VSA and Datto RMM.

Here’s how IT Glue can help you:

Advanced documentation

• Centralized information: IT Glue provides a centralized platform for all your documentation needs, making it easy to store and retrieve information about incidents, configurations and remediation steps.
• Real-time updates: It allows for real-time updates to documentation, ensuring that IT teams have access to the most current information during an incident, which is critical for quick resolution.
• Standardized procedures: With IT Glue, you can create standardized procedures for incident reporting and resolution, which can be easily followed by all team members, reducing the chance of errors and inconsistencies.
• Version control: The platform maintains versions of documents, which is essential for tracking changes and understanding the evolution of an incident management process over time.

Automation

• Automated alerts and notifications: Integration with ITSM tools means that IT Glue can trigger alerts and notifications automatically, speeding up the response time when incidents occur.
• Workflow automation: IT Glue can automate repetitive tasks within the incident management process, such as the initial categorization and assignment of incidents, freeing up valuable time for IT professionals to focus on more complex tasks.
• Automated linking: The system can automatically link related documents, such as incidents and their associated configurations or known errors, which streamlines the resolution process.

Integration with ITSM tools

• Seamless integration with Kaseya VSA and Datto RMM: IT Glue’s integration with these ITSM tools allows for a seamless flow of information. For instance, incidents detected by Kaseya VSA or Datto RMM can be documented and managed in IT Glue.
• Enhanced collaboration: The integration facilitates better collaboration between team members who may be using different tools but need to work together to resolve incidents.
• Data synchronization: IT Glue ensures that data across all platforms is synchronized, which means that any update made in one tool is reflected across all others. This synchronization is crucial during incident management, where outdated information can lead to delays in resolution.
• Single source of truth: With IT Glue acting as the single source of truth, there is less ambiguity and confusion in the incident management process. Teams can work from a unified set of data, reducing the risk of miscommunication and errors.

By combining robust documentation, automation and seamless integration with leading ITSM tools, IT Glue provides a comprehensive solution for enhancing incident management. These capabilities not only streamline the process but also promote rapid resolution, ultimately leading to improved service delivery and higher customer satisfaction.

Request a demo and get started.

The post Incident Management: Processes, Best Practices & Tools appeared first on IT Glue.

That’s where our 1-Click AD Password Rotation feature comes into play. It simplifies the process of rotating on-prem Active Directory (AD) passwords directly from IT Glue. This feature brings several benefits, including the ability to efficiently bulk-rotate passwords and automatically sync new ones back into AD. Let’s dive deeper into the intricacies of this feature.

We’re fully aware of the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, and we’re committed to continuously enhancing our features to meet these evolving challenges. With cyber threats constantly on the rise, we’re dedicated to providing users with the flexibility they need to maintain secure passwords and protect their data with ease. With this mission in mind, we’re thrilled to introduce two new live improvements: the AD Password Rotation Scheduler and Custom Roles.

1-Click AD Password Rotation: On-demand or based on a schedule (NEW)

Our first enhancement is the introduction of the AD Password Rotation Scheduler, which allows you to automate password rotation based on a user-defined frequency. In addition to on-demand rotation, this new capability puts password rotation on autopilot, enhancing compliance and security. IT Glue Administrators can set the preferred frequency for AD password rotation, and selected AD passwords on a predetermined schedule will undergo automatic rotation.

This means you can set up password rotation to align with your organization’s specific needs, ensuring that passwords remain fresh and secure without manual intervention.

1-Click AD Password Rotation: Centralized account management with Custom Roles (NEW)

In addition to the existing capabilities, we’ve added Custom Role functionality. Administrators and managers can now delegate network management tasks, specifically password rotation in Network Glue, to other technicians and team members who previously lacked this ability. By utilizing the Custom Role for 1-Click AD Password Rotation, permissions can be updated without interfering with access to other IT Glue features. This guarantees that all relevant team members will possess the required access to the crucial task of password rotation, enabling administrators and managers to allocate more of their time and attention to other responsibilities.

With the introduction of Custom Roles, your team can efficiently manage password rotation while streamlining access control and delegation.

AD Password Rotation Roadmap: What’s Next?

But we’re not stopping here. We’re committed to further improving this feature, and we have a roadmap of enhancements on the horizon:

• Scheduler Per Organization (Q4 2023): We’re working on a feature that will allow you to customize password rotation schedules on a per organization basis to match their unique needs, offering enhanced control and flexibility.
• Azure Passwords (Q1 2024): One of the most anticipated updates to this feature will be the addition of Azure passwords, providing a comprehensive solution for both on-premises and cloud-based password management.

Stay tuned for these exciting developments and more, as we continue to provide you with the most advanced and comprehensive password rotation solutions in the industry.

For more information on the new 1-Click AD Password Rotation features and how IT Glue can save you time, increase productivity, and enhance your cybersecurity efforts, please visit our Knowledge Base article. Discover why over 300,000 users trust IT Glue to save them time and increase their productivity with industry-leading, centralized and consolidated IT documentation.

The post Product Updates: 1-Click Active Directory Password Rotation for Enhanced Security appeared first on IT Glue.

What is multifactor authentication (MFA)?

Multifactor authentication (MFA) refers to a login process requiring at least two verification factors to access an online account. In addition to a strong password, users must authenticate with an extra method like a secret code received on their mobile devices or a biometric verification using their fingerprints.

MFA aims to add an extra layer of security verification to your login accounts, preventing unauthorized account access in case of a password compromise. With cyberthreats evolving at a rapid pace, MFA systems play a critical role in an organization’s identity and access management framework.

Why is multifactor authentication important?

Digital security is of paramount importance in today’s data-centric business world. Organizations generate huge volumes of critical data daily, and preventing that data from falling into the wrong hands is essential. While passwords can be your first defense, they are vulnerable to brute-force attacks and credential thefts.

MFA can benefit you by preventing cybercriminals from accessing your accounts even if they acquire your passwords. Also, many users practice poor password hygiene by reusing the same password for all their accounts. In such cases, a cybercriminal who accesses one of your accounts may have the ability to access all your accounts. MFA provides a quick and effective way to counter this security loophole.

Is multifactor authentication effective?

It is estimated that over 80% of cyberattacks originate from stolen credentials. Credential harvesting is a serious risk plaguing most organizations globally. Cybercriminals often target organizational data since they know they can leverage this data to compromise bank accounts, credit cards and more.

According to Microsoft, incorporating MFA in your infrastructure will make you 99% less likely to be hacked. While threats like MFA fatigue attacks and session hijacking can still threaten MFA, having this added security measure in place still leaves you much safer than a single-factor authentication system would.

Incorporating MFA is relatively simple in most cases. You need an identity and access management solution that requires a few extra layers of authentication to gain access. This simple move could remarkably improve your security posture and prevent cybercriminals from accessing your critical information.

How does multifactor authentication work?

Most MFA systems still use a username and password as the first step of the authentication process. As always, a strong password is recommended. A robust password management engine with password auto-rotation capabilities is ideal to ensure better security. The MFA process typically begins after the completion of the first-level authentication.

Here’s how the MFA process works:

• Registration: MFA begins with the registration of the additional layers of security. When you sign in for the first time, you will receive a notification to set them up. It could be a biometric authentication system like a fingerprint scanner or a code generated in an authenticator app.
• Authentication: During subsequent logins, the system automatically connects to the registered item and sends the prompts for additional authentication. Once your identity is verified, you may gain access to the system.
• Further logins: Some MFA systems require users to go through the verification process every single time, while others can remember login devices. MFA systems demand verification every single time in highly secure systems with critical data. For other regular usage, MFA authentication can be prompted periodically on a monthly basis.

What authentication factors are commonly used for multifactor authentication?

There are different types of authentication factors used in MFA. These factors authenticate a user’s identity and provide access to the account. The most common authentication factors are as follows:

Knowledge factor

Konwledge factor refers to an authentication factor that requires users to demonstrate knowledge of something hidden – usually a password or a PIN. It is also the most common type of authentication used. When used alone, this type of safeguard offers minimal security that a skillful hacker can compromise. This is why you need additional authentication factors.

Possession factor

Possession factor refers to an authentication factor involving the user’s physical entities. For instance, items like mobile phones, card readers, wireless tags, etc., can be possession factors during a multifactor authentication process.

Inherence factor

Inherence factor refers to an authentication factor that involves metrics intrinsically owned by the user. These factors are 100% unique and are designed to prevent unauthorized access to critical assets. Some of the most commonly used inherence factors include fingerprint scanning, voice recognition, retinal scanning, etc.

What is adaptive multifactor authentication?

Adaptive MFA refers to how organizations can configure MFA based on a user’s risk profile. It includes a broad range of authentication factors and leverages multiple authentication techniques to provide this level of flexibility.

In adaptive MFA, the system can analyze user behavior by considering a range of actions, such as login attempts, device type, location, accessed information, user role, source IP address and more. This analysis is used to adjust the authentication factors, either increasing or decreasing security measures as needed.

Organizations can use a combination of static and adaptive policies to enjoy the maximum benefits of MFA. For instance, a remote worker working with the company device uses a trusted device on an untrusted network. In such cases, IT administrators can use static policies for device security and adaptive policies for network security.

Multifactor authentication vs. two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication, or 2FA, is a type of multifactor authentication that enforces only two authentication factors. The first authentication factor is typically a username and a password. However, the second authentication factor may vary depending on organizational preferences and compliance requirements.

When it comes to cybersecurity, more is always better. Hence, MFA is always better than 2FA. The more checkpoints you incorporate in your IT infrastructure, the harder it will be for cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access. While MFA certainly adds to the system’s security, it can also create more friction for the users depending on the type of authentication factors used.

Adding more than two layers of security is recommended when critical data security is at stake. Also, the type of authentication factors used play a significant role in your security measures. For instance, push notifications on mobile devices and retinal scanning are much more secure than a one-time password.

What are examples of multifactor authentication?

You may already be using MFA or 2FA in various real-life scenarios without even realizing it. Here are a few examples of MFA in action:

• Online banking: Most online banking systems use MFA to ensure proper identity management of their customers. In the first step, you must provide your login credentials. This is usually followed by a push notification or a secret code sent to your mobile phone. Even if you are logging in from your mobile device, the device information and location must match to establish your identity. Any mismatch will prompt the system to ask for more information.
• Using an ATM: Getting cash from an ATM requires swiping the card and entering your secret PIN. It is a form of 2FA since it asks for two factors: your card and the PIN number. Modern banking systems also verify your face through the camera installed in the ATM. This serves as a form of biometric verification as well.
• Logging into organizational software: Organizations that prioritize security implement MFA to ensure their users must provide additional verification to access their proprietary software. Also, expensive proprietary software has different levels of access based on user roles. By incorporating MFA, administrators can prevent unauthorized access to their software and protect it from piracy.

What are the benefits of multifactor authentication?

By now, we have established that MFA adds an extra layer of security to your system by incorporating more authentication factors. But how does this additional security benefit individuals and organizations? Here is a list of benefits offered by MFA:

• Better controls over data access: To safeguard critical data, it’s essential to implement robust controls that restrict unauthorized access. With MFA, only the right people can access your critical data and confidential information.
• Security against password risks: Did you know that about 65% of people reuse their passwords, even for business accounts? If these passwords are compromised, it increases the risk of potential breaches. MFA protects your IT infrastructure against these threats by adding additional security layers over sensitive information.
• Compatibility with SSO: Additional security layers often translate to more friction for users. To ensure a seamless experience, organizations often incorporate single sign-on (SSO) for their users. This eliminates the need to create unique passwords and provides instant access to multiple applications with a single login. When SSO is combined with MFA, organizations can streamline identity management and reduce user friction.
• Compliance adherence: Organizations must follow the maximum security standards to meet various compliance requirements. MFA is a standard outlined by various regulatory bodies for securing IT infrastructure. For instance, HIPAA requires healthcare providers to use MFA, and PCI-DSS requires MFA to be incorporated in systems that process payments.
• Flexible to meet business needs: MFA can be tailored to meet the specific needs of organizations, allowing companies to implement it for their employees, customers and third-party vendors. When integrated with SSO, it simplifies identity management.

What are the cons of multifactor authentication?

Despite its multiple benefits, MFA is not without its limitations. You may witness the following shortcomings when using MFA in your system:

• Adds friction to the login process: When Google urged customers to adapt 2FA in 2018, less than 10% signed up for it. This indicates that people prefer convenience over security. Despite being beneficial, extra layers of protection add more friction to the login process. Also, it takes more time to gain access with multiple login layers.
• Requires a new solution: MFA requires incorporating a new software tool in your system to establish this feature. Many companies often buy a new password management solution to take advantage of this feature. However, it is even more beneficial if this feature comes with your existing documentation and security solution.

Secure your IT documentation with multifactor authentication

Security is the number one focus for IT Glue. As a leading cloud-based documentation platform, IT Glue comes with multifactor authentication to prevent unauthorized access in any form. IT Glue is equipped with a next-generation password management engine to ensure users have easy access to passwords without the need to memorize them all.

IT Glue has granular permissions so you can control who can access your passwords, and it also has a One-Time Password (OTP) capability for admin passwords so that multiple technicians can access accounts like Office 365 securely and quickly. It also comes with SSO, IP access control, host-proof hosting, audit trail and more within a SOC 2 type II compliant solution. Additionally, with its automated AD password rotation feature, you can keep passwords fresh and easily keep your data secure.

To learn more about how IT Glue can help you with password management, request a demo.

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