Four things to note when performing Windows desktop auditing

When was the last time you had a Windows desktop audit? If you're like most of the network administrators I work with, then you're lucky to be able to use a standard desktop image. A formal audit of everything on the desktop seems impossible.

Perhaps you would like to standardize your Windows configuration settings. Or you need to get a better grip on terminal safety. You may even want to clean up your organization's software license. No matter what your goal is, there are a few things you should keep in mind that will maximize your desktop audit effectiveness.

Defining requirements for Windows auditing

First of all, why do you audit Windows configuration? 50% any successful project-audit or non-audit-relies on reasonable setup expectations. In addition to ensuring that the right IT staff is involved, you should also determine which or what non-it people need to check your desktop environment.

Consider human resources, legal, regulatory compliance, and internal auditors. To take into account the more stringent requirements than the current business, representatives from these areas have a say in logon ads, local security policies, software licensing, audit logging, and so on. Even sales people and customer service have a say in desktop configuration.

All affected personnel need to be asked. Some might think you're crazy, and they think "desktop auditing is it." So let them know how software audits affect the organization as a whole, and how the assistance they make in the decision-making process affects the long-term business.

Understanding Your Enterprise system

Understand what is. You can't audit what you don't know. It is easy to overlook certain desktop systems, such as those that belong to salespeople, remote offices, or warehouses. However, if you want to get an accurate picture of your current Windows desktop usage, you end up needing to involve everything.

Start with your network topology map. Check which hosts are dynamic from network port scanners such as NMAP or Softperfect network scanners. Just don't forget those networks that don't have access directly over the local area network. Passable desktop audits tend to be about forgetting a variety of systems that are not particularly obvious, but these systems should usually be under the control of it.

Leverage security vulnerability assessments. If you are performing a regular vulnerability scan or have more formal internal security assessments, you will get a lot of information that you can dispose of. You can use the information in the vulnerability Scanner report to analyze existing desktop situations and trends over time, such as what has changed, what hasn't changed, and other significant improvements (such as the need for Third-party patch management and local security policies). If a running scan has a visa, it's better to have a tool like Nexpose and languard that provides stunning insight and validation information about Windows System runtime.

Remember, desktop auditing is not safe

Of course, security is actually the primary task of almost all Windows desktops, and uninterrupted security assessments do add up to your desktop audit. But there are many more, including collecting software information to ensure compliance, operating system versions conform to upgrade plans, and monitoring application usage to ensure consistency and support.

In addition, it is also a good idea to periodically carry out enterprise system inventory, such as the BYOD policy. The more information you know about the environment, the better you can make and execute better.

Windows configuration is a dynamic work

Most people can't keep up with the pace of technological change. Do not view Windows desktop Auditing as a one-time job. Imagine all the decisions in your personal life, or everything in your business, that relies on a one-time snapshot of information all the year round. Desktop auditing should be part of your ongoing it program, probably once a year, perhaps with a periodic vulnerability assessment.

Before you start your desktop audit, the more time you spend ensuring that your Windows configuration is reasonable, the more opportunities you will have to improve productivity and reduce unnecessary hassles. It's best to start with a small software audit, especially if you've never done an audit before. Build your audit engineering and toolset, Windows desktop Audit will be another well functioning it feature.

Successful Windows audits can help IT administrators optimize workstation configurations, improve security, and simplify system management.