UEM is no longer conceivable without security

Does anyone else remember what “client management” used to be? The fact that we now consistently refer to “unified endpoint management” isn’t merely a desire for ever-new buzzwords. Rather, it reflects reality—namely, an increasingly heterogeneous, sprawling IT landscape that needs to be unified. aagon addressed the growing proportion of mobile devices by adding “hybrid” to UEM (keyword: Intune Management).

Security and device management are integrated

Now, let’s turn to the topic of security. In light of growing cyber threats, IT security and compliance are now key requirements for companies of all sizes. UEM systems are increasingly justifying their existence by the fact that they are no longer responsible only for the holistic management of network assets, but also for their security. Security and device management must therefore be integrated and considered in close conjunction with one another.

Finally, the pressure on IT administrators to quickly identify and close security vulnerabilities is growing ever greater given the speed and sophistication of attacks. IT management, in turn, must be able to demonstrate compliance with internal policies and external regulations at all times. Both of these goals are only possible with a structured, transparent, and continuously monitored IT security strategy. The foundation of this strategy is complete transparency regarding hardware and software—that is, the continuous monitoring and analysis of the IT landscape to maintain an up-to-date overview of devices, installed software, and their configurations at all times.

We have recently expanded our platform to include a wide range of additional security features. This helps IT departments reduce the manual effort required for security updates and policy checks, which is particularly important given the shortage of IT professionals. This advancement is reflected in the new acronym SUEM: “Secure Unified Endpoint Management.”

The "S" in UEM

The fact that an “S” for “Secure” now appears before “UEM” is essentially just another outward sign of the great importance security has long held in the aagon product portfolio. After all, it’s been several years since we first discussed how the acmp Suite can be used to implement a flawless SOAR concept.

Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR)—the magic word in cybersecurity—refers to the coordinated execution of security tasks. The term encompasses functions designed to respond to detected threats automatically—and thus efficiently—through standardization and prioritization. This is exactly what an UEM solution makes possible, which is why companies using acmp are already well-versed in SOAR.

acmp is ideally suited for SOAR tasks

Thanks to its large number of modules for various purposes and the way they are interconnected, the acmp Suite is ideally suited for SOAR tasks. Inventory management, OS deployment, and asset, update, and patch management—as core components of UEM—are linked to vulnerability management. From there, with just a few clicks, you can create and later automate a process that ensures a patch is applied to fix a bug. Administrators can set up structured testing and approval processes for all installations and updates, including a clear separation of security and

Functional updates to ensure the controlled deployment of operating system updates. Comprehensive and advanced management of BitLocker, Defender, and vulnerability management has long been an integral part of the acmp console.

Failure to Apply Patches Poses the Greatest Threat to IT Security

Four-fifths of IT security incidents in German companies result from unpatched systems. Complex tool landscapes, a lack of integration, and poor auditability in patch and compliance processes are the reasons why so many applications are not kept up to date and thus become a risk factor. A growing proportion of devices used for remote work further increases the attack surface. The effort required for security updates and policy compliance checks is therefore high and, especially given the shortage of IT professionals, has become nearly impossible to manage.

Software programs have long since ceased to be static products. These days, new updates, patches, and upgrades are released practically every day to fix security vulnerabilities and improve functionality. But which admin knows exactly which patches are available for all clients, which ones have already been installed, and which ones are still missing? No one knows the patch status of every single computer on the network. Automated patch management is therefore essential for enhancing IT security.

Automated Processes for Greater Security

SOAR security strategies can be tailored to individual needs despite sharing the same foundation. At aagon, we focus on the continuous collection and analysis of information about potential threats to provide companies with an up-to-date view of the digital threat landscape at all times and to protect them as effectively as possible. acmp detects and closes vulnerabilities and entry points early on and handles the administrative tasks involved in implementing security measures. This is achieved through a combination of various security tools and programs from the UEM toolkit.

Conclusion: an auditable, end-to-end security chain

acmp provides a comprehensive security architecture, from patching to policy hardening. Companies gain the control and visibility they need to remain compliant in an increasingly regulated environment. They meet key NIS 2 requirements through comprehensive logging and automated reports for audits, proactively protect their environment through patch automation with risk analysis, and harden their endpoints through admin rights management and security checks. Security has thus become an integral part of our UEM solution.

Have we piqued your interest? Learn more about our UEM solution, acmp, in the following white papers.