• Agent-based discovery typ- ically involves a lightweight client able to be deployed to IT hardware with an operat- ing system . This method can help IT automatically collect data points around installed software , hardware owner- ship , service history , and more
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• Agentless discovery ex- tends asset tracking capa- bilities , empowering IT to scan the agency ’ s network to compile a full registry of their IP-connected devices
Defining how you track your inventory and configuration items addresses key ques- tions , which can impact employee productivity and agen- cy initiatives :
• How are IT-issued assets used ?
• What software is installed on these devices ?
• Who has agency-owned as- sets in their possession ?
• What services have been performed on these assets ?
• Have there been previously recorded incidents or known problems with this asset ?
• Where is the equipment lo- cated ?
• Is this device linked to other configuration items or assets ?
• When was the asset last up- dated ? Does it meet current security requirements ?
• What is the health of the asset ? Does it need to be re- placed or retired ?
Understanding the answers to these questions will go a long way toward building a solid ITAM strategy and dra- matically mitigating risk .
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