One critical aspect of maintaining a secure and efficient IT infrastructure is tracking your hardware and software assets. This often-overlooked practice is foundational to both your security strategy and operational efficiency. You simply cannot protect what you do not know you have.
Security starts with knowing what you need to protect. Every device connected to your network – whether it’s a server, workstation, laptop, or even a mobile phone – represents a potential entry point for bad actors. If you’re not aware of every device within your network, you’re leaving gaps in your security posture that attackers can exploit.
When a security incident occurs, having a detailed up-to-date inventory of your assets allows your IT team to quickly identify which devices are compromised and where they are located. This help speed up the containment process and helps reduce downtime.
Fearless CISO’s free Excel download is an easy to use spreadsheet that can get you started tracking your hardware and software assets.