Helping customers securely manage the ‘Internet of Things’

Dell has announced the latest release of its award-winning Dell KACE K1000 Systems Management Appliance, which is designed to help customers better prepare and secure their IT environments from the deluge of devices, sensors and objects driven by the “Internet of Things.” Dell KACE K1000 version 6.0 enables organisations to boost their Internet of Things (IoT) readiness with new features that provide greater visibility across a company’s entire IT infrastructure, and lay the foundation for improved endpoint security.

According to IDC, the installed base of the IoT will be approximately 212 billion “things” by 2020. This year alone, IDC expects shipments of smart-connected devices (e.g., PCs, tablets and smartphones) to surpass 1.7 billion units worldwide. As more endpoints and devices enter the workplace, IT must grapple with increased interdependencies that create a wide range of management complexities and challenges.

Earlier this year, Dell Software sponsored a Dimensional Research survey of nearly 700 IT professionals worldwide to assess the array of “things” connected to corporate networks, and understand the current state of endpoint security.

Key findings include:
• 48 percent of those polled reported having non-traditional endpoints on their networks, while 63 percent expected new types to be connected over the next three years;
• 58 percent of the survey participants predicted they’ll need to manage more than twice as many endpoints in a decade;
• 93 percent of respondents had concerns about supporting new types of devices or objects;
• Security, visibility and internal expertise for managing new devices topped a list of IoT concerns;
• 35 percent were sure that unknown devices or applications already were connected to their networks; and,
• 39 percent of those surveyed weren’t confident that their existing tools could scale sufficiently to handle the growth in the types of platforms they would be expected to manage.
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Securing the Internet of Things with Dell KACE K1000 v6.0
The latest release of the Dell KACE K1000 unifies IT asset discovery, inventory, management and reporting for all endpoint systems and devices through an integrated web-based console. With Dell KACE, organisations can rely on comprehensive systems management that scales seamlessly to keep pace with the proliferation of devices and OS platforms. Greater visibility across the entire infrastructure enables IT to improve security without adding undue management complexity or requiring the purchase of disparate tools or point solutions.

New Dell KACE K1000 features include:
• Agentless technology extends agent-based management to now track all connected devices, spanning printers, power, storage and network switches, routers, firewalls, and more without having to install software directly on devices
• Broader cross-platform inventory support provides management of a multitude of new Mac OSX, Linux and UNIX systems
• Automated software blacklisting helps customers prevent the execution of known malware, harmful freeware and undesirable programs known to contain security threats or vulnerabilities

A new user interface further simplifies IT management with customisable views, search and usage functionality, as well as tailored dashboards and home views designed to reduce training, speed task execution and increase overall administrative efficiency. Another way Dell KACE eases systems management is with the latest version of its free Dell KACE K1000 GO app, which provides IT with “on the go” access to the K1000 from iOS or Android devices. KACE K1000 GO app v2.0 enables end users to submit service desk tickets, as well as check status and access helpful information from a knowledge base—all from their mobile devices.