Archive for category: Monitoring

Monitoring User Activity for Suspicious Behavior

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When we’re talking about monitoring humans, it always sounds intrusive. To get this idea out of the way, it’s important to say that user monitoring implies that it’s conducted in a compliant way that doesn’t harm anyone’s privacy. 

When we consider the problems caused by malicious activities, it’s obvious why some level of monitoring must exist. The average cost of a data breach can go more than 4 million dollars, an amount that can crumble a lot of companies, big and small. 

User monitoring, improved website security, and numerous other methods are great at preventing such troublesome situations. This article will go through some of the key characteristics of user monitoring and how they benefit companies. 

Importance of activity and transaction tracking

When you have a number of employees, each working on their tasks, you often don’t know how they proceed from point A to point B. If they complete their tasks, you likely won’t bother looking into their processes. 

User, or in other words, employee tracking helps you ensure that you understand the process behind the one’s work. The idea that their work is being tracked ensures that they won’t engage in harmful activities or have a drop in their productivity. 

When we’re talking about user monitoring for internal protection, it ensures that users who engage in malicious activities are stopped before they execute their plan or at least help you recognize the problems on time. 

The ways in which user activity is tracked significantly differ in remote and brick-and-mortar companies. This is mainly because remote workers have their own devices that you can’t fully monitor. Of course, tracking personal devices is quite intrusive, and it shouldn’t be practiced anyway. 

Tracking software gathers logs and analysis for each session, as well as video recordings, keystroke logging, and numerous other activities, depending on the software you choose. In an office environment, you have an option to track basically all activities someone has on their computer, but this isn’t exactly possible with remote work. 

While much easier to track than work activity, transactions also need to be tracked. Depending on your finance department, an occasional analysis of your expenses should be conducted. Even if there isn’t anyone who’s misusing company funds, you can stumble upon services that you’re paying yet aren’t using or if there are expenses that are unnecessarily high. 

Advantages of user monitoring

As mentioned a couple of times throughout the article, one of the most important advantages of user monitoring is to stop any malicious activities before they completely unfold. However, there are a couple more advantages that can be mentioned.

Any way of increasing website security is minimizing the chances of your business getting off track. This is leading to an increase in productivity in the long run. On the other hand, tracking user activity also motivates them to be more aware of their work. 

Suspicious behavior explained

Before you start to track suspicious behaviors, it’s important to understand what you’re exactly looking for. Every company has different processes, which means that your threats won’t come in a pre-determined manner. 

An eCommerce website and a SaaS company won’t have the same weaknesses nor the ways in which insiders can exploit them. 

One of the most problematic occurrences your business can experience is unauthorized changes to the database. These can be signs of both internal and external attacks, and recognizing changes here can prevent larger problems further up on the road. 

Every user in a company has certain permissions relevant to their role. An SEO expert might be able to publish and delete articles, while a programmer can access the backend of your website or service. User privileges need to be strictly monitored and handled. The rule of least privilege is often used in this manner, ensuring that no employee has more permissions than needed.

Unapproved changes to the user’s level of privilege can be a sign of wrongdoing. If you notice that someone is logging in at odd hours, accessing certain resources remotely, or failing to log in multiple times, this can be a sign of unauthorized access by an internal or external threat.

An important type of log that you should keep is the time of file configurations. This is especially crucial for important files, such as website code or configuration files. Tracking their changes can help you return the website to the previous state if a problematic change happens. Another suspicious behavior includes odd traffic on your network. This can happen in the form of an increase in internal traffic at odd hours, changes in performance, or protocol violations and problems. Unauthorized access to ports is also a signal that someone is trying to harm your system. 

Methods of user monitoring

There are numerous ways in which you can conduct user monitoring. There’s a whole category of software that’s committed to doing that. Such software allows you to track employees in various ways.

However, many of the employee tracking software is more geared towards productivity tracking and invoicing rather than stopping suspicious behavior. It’s advised that you do thorough research on such options and choose the platform that helps you with recognizing problematic behavior. 

It’s also worth mentioning that various platforms have features that allow you to monitor suspicious behavior without additional software. For example, operating systems allow you to check when certain files were changed last time. 

On the other hand, content management systems also give you information on previous updates, backups, and numerous security features that prevent anyone from making changes unauthorizedly. 

If the company finds user monitoring essential for security and protection, the development of in-house tracking software is the best bet. This ensures that the software has only the features necessary for your specific occasion. 

Data regulations and user monitoring

Regardless of the method in which you’re tracking your employees, it’s essential that this happens in a compliant way. Depending on the region where you’re operating, you should explore GDPR, CCPA, and other regional data regulations. 

All types of data need to be gathered and protected accordingly, ensuring that the data isn’t misused. Failing to collect data in a way that’s compliant with regulations that apply to you can do more harm than good. 

Breaking GDPR or CCPA can lead to significant fines that can be just as expensive as data breaches. To prevent this, you need to be transparent with your users about the data that you’re gathering and how it’s used. 

Any misuse of the agreements can be considered a breach of contract. If you, as a company, get recognized as misusing user data and breaching their privacy, this can lead to both financial losses and blows to your reputation.

Top talents are going to be less likely interested in working for you, and it’s quite possible that customers would boycott you as well. 

Other tools for website security

While the main goal of user monitoring is to prevent internal threats, you shouldn’t neglect the idea of hackers from the outside trying to attack your platform. Furthermore, an internal attack can be complementary to an individual from the outside trying to steal data. 

A great way to ensure the security of your website is through penetration tests. This method simulates an attack on your website, helping you expose any vulnerabilities before someone else does. There are multiple types of penetration tests, allowing you to improve the security of various parts of your business. 

Another important method for increasing internal security is segmenting your network into departments. This ensures that your employees won’t have access to sensitive information that other departments harbor. 

You can also rely on the legal aspect by having agreements with each individual employee on what security breaches are and what the consequences of those are. These can come in the form of non-disclosure agreements or as a part of a hiring contract 

Monitoring user activity can be essential for your business security

There are numerous methods that can increase your business security. None of them are completely efficient on their own. User activity is a great method of ensuring that there aren’t any wrongdoers among your employees and users. 

Of course, monitoring can bother those who don’t have any wrong intentions, but it’s for the greater good of the business. Problematic situations are best prevented at their root. Without having the opportunity for their plans to unfold, your business will avoid unnecessary problems.

However, don’t completely rely on user activity for your security requirements. You still need to have cybersecurity protocols in place, real-time protection, and a safety network that will protect you from external threats. 

About Writer

Veljko is a student of information technology who paired his passion for technology with his writing skills. He enjoys researching topics such as robotics and programming and cultivates his knowledge in philosophy, classical literature, and fitness. Veljko’s favorite writers are Borislav Pekić, Miloš Crnjanski, and Ernest Hemingway. 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veljko-petrović-699ab0201/

Website: www.writerveljko.com 

The Benefits of Remote Monitoring and Security Management

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As businesses embrace the modern convenience of remote work, keeping their data and systems secure is more important now than ever before.

With the advancement of technology comes risks, but with the right security strategies in place, you can rest assured that your sensitive information is free from malicious attacks and prying eyes.

Remote security management is critical for protecting your company’s confidential data as well as its employees’ personal information. Remote monitoring services can look after entry points to your system 24/7 when security guards couldn’t. Especially with professional services automation (PSA), RMM works in great tandem with it. They help protect your clients from any thievery or compromised investments.

Hence, if you’re thinking of adding security measures to your business, try considering remote monitoring systems. This will offer you and your clients assurance that your company is being monitored by professionals. At the same time, you don’t need to hire a security guard to be on-site at all times. There are several more benefits to having a remote monitoring system installed and we will discuss those below.

What is Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM)?

Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) software is a set of digital tools designed to help companies keep their IT networks and computer systems running smoothly and securely.

RMM software works by providing a single view of all devices connected to a network, as well as automated monitoring capabilities that detect failures or performance issues before they can cause disruption. It also enables comprehensive remote management capabilities, including the ability to perform maintenance and troubleshooting tasks, provide real-time alerts when faced with potential threats, deploy software updates and patches, and more.

RMM software can be used to automate mundane IT management activities, streamline processes, provide remote access to company data, and reduce costs associated with troubleshooting problems.

Since RMM monitors the network’s remote system, MSPs can maintain all the devices used within it. The software collects and organises usage data, generates reports, and automates system maintenance.

Other specific features depend on the software used and how customisable it is.

What Features Should You Look for in RMM Software?

1. Patch Management

When your company’s software needs to be fixed or updated, the MSP can send out a patch for it. Patch management in RMMs lets your system automatically download patches and updates while you’re offline.

Due to the reason it is automated, your IT team has more time to attend to other pressing tasks. You can leave it to the MSP to monitor the implementation of the patches and how they run on your system.

2. Remote Access

Remote management has always been there but the industry has grown since the pandemic. It’s become a staple work environment to accommodate the demands of clients. Several of the modern workforces work at home so home service from MSPs is unrealistic. If they can access your device remotely, troubleshooting would be more convenient and efficient.

Remote access and support allow them to see any aspect of your device that may have the error. Hence, RMM makes it easier to point out the problem and resolve it, reducing overall labour.

3. Alerts

Any authority that can fix your issues or give system updates needs to be informed about it. The great part is you don’t have to do that yourself because RMMs can send various alerts to the support team.

You can set the alerts to go out as much as you want to as many devices as you want. The RMM software will alert the MSPs about the issue because you need to call them about it.

4. Reporting

One of the best features you can look for in RMM for the health and growth of your business is reports. Data about your system can verify if it’s healthy and help you decide better in the future.

There are three types of reports that the software may provide you. It can be an inventory of devices, your systems’ health, and product and customer analytics.

What are the Benefits of RMM?

1. Reduced Network Downtime

Businesses tend to experience several hours of network downtime yearly which can be costly for you. You and your staff aren’t able to access data, including emails from customers and software for tasks.

By monitoring your network continuously, you can detect issues early on and address them swiftly, meaning fewer outages and increased reliability of your services.

Additionally, built-in automation features mean that issues can be addressed even faster, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing overall network downtime.

With Remote Monitoring and Management, you can be sure that minor problems don’t become major disruptions.

2. Enhanced Security

Since industries are more globalised now, there are more attacks targeting those enterprises. It’s a relatively new challenge they face as cyber threats keep coming. This emphasises the need and priority for stricter security measures for the business and the clients.

If your business handles confidential information for companies and clients, it’s a big responsibility. You have to ensure that the data you have of them won’t be lost or stolen. Compromised security can damage your company’s reputation and your client’s trust in you. They’ll be put off by the fact that you can’t take care of their sensitive data.

3. Minute Overhead Costs

If you’re a start-up or a medium-sized business, you need to handle overhead costs effectively. This will support the development, growth, and initial success of your business. After all, spending on IT infrastructures and human resources is an expensive endeavour. Not everyone can afford to hire a permanent IT professional from the get-go but it’s necessary.

Not to mention, there are several factors you need to invest in as a start-up to build your foundation. This includes utilities, building rent, and staff salary so you have to make good financial decisions.

Aside from investing in the latest technology, you’ll also need a team to handle your network. Using RMM will help avoid any unnecessary costs which is a big deal for a start-up. Later on, you can also pair it with PSA technology for better customer service and satisfaction. You won’t need to hire as many IT experts with the right RMM software at your disposal. And the IT expert can be paid at a predictable monthly rate so you won’t be caught unaware.

4. Automated Maintenance

Maintenance is an important part of any software so that it stays up to date. That means many of its aspects were improved to better cater to your company. It improves the system’s security and health as it’s maintained. Hence, regular maintenance is needed so your system will remain protected from different threats.

As long as your system is healthy, your business gains more profit. That’s why even for start-ups, RMM software is a valuable long-term investment. It will keep track of your technology and ensure your data is accessible when necessary.

5. Automatically Scheduled Reboots

Some tasks can be a huge hassle for IT experts when they need to do them manually. For example, setting up servers or rebooting desktops during office or night hours are some of those. On the bright side, RMM reboots automatically, saving them the hassle that comes with the task.

As a user, you won’t have to connect to the device personally to schedule a manual reboot. You can use your office hours for work instead of technical tasks thanks to RMM. Instead, with a few clicks, you can configure unattended reboots from the RMM portal yourself.

6. Applicable to Almost All Business Models

No matter what kind you own, all businesses need a level of security to protect their assets, employees, and customers. RMM not only keeps them safe but monitors your employees regardless of where they work.

Let’s say, even in the academe, RMM is used to ensure teachers are conducting online classes properly. Their Zoom meetings with the students are reviewed to see if they get paid for that class. It can also be used by companies that hire freelancers to keep an eye on their progress. It’s a truly flexible software that can be used by almost any industry and business.

Conclusion

We’re all in an age where technology is a crucial part of our daily lives, as well as the businesses around us. The pandemic merely rushed the transition from an on-site to a remote work environment. Hence, almost every business offers hybrid work schedules while monitoring employees remotely.

Remote monitoring is also important in taking care of the business because of efficiency and security. The more we become dependent on technology, the more vulnerable we become to cyber attacks. That’s why security is an important aspect of any software your company intends to use. Besides that, automation is an essential feature that ensures work productivity is maximised. Downtime is kept at a minimum while your technology stays in tip-top shape due to maintenance.

Hence, RMM is a must-have for every business, especially start-ups and medium-sized ones. It’s a wonderful and affordable investment that will keep your business and your clients safe. This in turn will increase the trust between you and help your business grow.