Group Policy and Controlled Systems Management

As businesses become more and more dependent on computers, software and the need to embrace the latest security methods, a central Group Policy and controlled Systems Management is becoming more and more essential. From the physical Installation of hardware to Software distribution and Software deployment, it is becoming more and more essential to have a central PC Software Inventory and complimentary Group Policy Software.

Then there is the overall increased windows security required to ensure the smooth running of the business, together with central Password policy guidelines and Password filter. As employees come and go it is also easy to lose track of those dormant accounts therefore it is essential to create an active directory security policy and Software asset management system to ensure that all Software Deployment adheres to License compliance regulations.

While there are many “add on” systems on the market, it would be easier to fully integrate a new comprehensive system into the windows operating system, therefore ensuring that everything works from the same central point. In order for any system to work correctly it is imperative that there is a Maintenance active directory, Cleanup active directory and active directory security in place to ensure that unauthorised access is restricted at all times.

In conjunction with Active directory maintenance, the requirement for IT asset tracking is becoming ever more essential. While not necessarily down to any wrong doings, it is easy to lose track of IT Assets, which wastes time that could be used more constructively.

In the modern day IT market it is quite easy to work from home (or on the move), although there can be issues with security over an open telephone line. One technique which has been created to restrict unauthorised remote access is the Wake on lan (WOL) method. Using the delivery of specific data packets it is now possible to contact a LAN using wake on lan Remote systems management and Remote restart / shutdown any terminal on a specific LAN network.

While many companies may not have seen IT security and control polices as a major part of business, the introduction of the US Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (commonly known as SOX) has placed a regulatory requirement for tighter control polices and increased monitoring systems. The requirement for SOX compliance was the US government’s answer to recent scandals such as Enron which dented the confidence in corporate America. The Act also runs in tandem with the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) which is a “best practices” framework for the delivery of high quality IT output.