If you operate a business with more than one location, you understand the challenges associated with managing disparate networks. When states separate these locations and on-site IT professionals are not an option, you need access to a proven and reliable remote management solution. Out of band management is often an important consideration, but how do you know that this is the right option and human intervention shouldn’t be your go-to strategy?
A recent issue of Risk offers some insight. Out of band management supporting remote site management systems allows for the monitoring of physical environments, control access, the detection of security breaches, the creation of audit trails and the ability to alert risk and security managers within seconds when signs of physical tampering are present.
In the past, such capabilities were out of reach for IT managers in different locations from the affected networks. A decision maker on site may have noticed a problem with the network, but often had to wait hours, if not days, for an IT professional to arrive, diagnose the problem and provide a fix. Given the heavy reliance on systems and information technology, such delays can stop a business in its tracks and render it ineffective.
At the same time, these networks are increasingly attractive targets for security threats, especially if personal or proprietary information is accessible. If a threat emerges, waiting even minutes could be too long. Threats have to be immediately detected and mediated if the network is to operate as intended and provide the necessary value to the organization. Given that a Verizon (News - Alert) study found that 29 percent of breaches have some sort of physical component, an inability to detect this kind of activity puts the organization at significant risk.
To that end, remote monitoring through out of band management becomes the virtual hands IT managers need to provide the kind of control they would have if they were physically on site. These virtual hands can perform simple fixes, while IT managers can also program the solutions to take remedial actions through a series of triggers and scripted responses. As out of band management also tends to feature redundant power supplies and multiple wired or cellular interfaces, the rate of failure is incredibly low.
Given this kind of capability, the question still remains whether or not these systems should take the human element out of remote management. At the end of the day, people still need to make the decisions that impact the company. Systems are in place, however, to help execute on those decisions and ensure proper outcomes. To get more of the story and an expert’s opinion from out of band management provider, Opengear (News - Alert), check out the Risk article in full.
Edited by Rory J. Thompson