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In order to maintain security, IT administrators need to view how and when Mac®, Windows®, and Linux® systems in their fleets are accessed. In fact, many compliance regulations also require system monitoring. In tracking system access, organizations have several options.
System Monitoring Methods
Manual Monitoring
By far the most universally available method, admins have the option to manually pull event logs by directly accessing the system with their admin credentials. Using operating system event tools like Windows Event Viewer or the Mac Console app as well as Linux command line interfacing, admins then access the system’s logs and identify threats or potential vulnerabilities.
This approach is convenient when an IT admin can easily get their hands on a user’s system, such as when it’s been turned in for maintenance, testing, or offboarding. With remote work hitting an all-time high, however, admins can’t manually handle machines, limiting this method’s efficacy. Additionally, manual monitoring pulls users away from their work until the admin has completed the task.
Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) Solutions
Using tools like RMMs, IT admins can achieve visibility and control over remote systems. An RMM uses downloaded agents to provide admins with insights into system configurations, security settings, and event logs from a web browser console. In general, RRM solutions also offer remote desktop access, sometimes called Virtual Network Computing (VNC), for support purposes.
To track system access, most RMM tools offer event logs by individual system, or the admin can use remote desktop features to pull logs through the OS-based methods detailed above. Unfortunately, although they offer best-of-breed functionality, RMM tools often may be too expensive or specific for an organization’s needs.
Cloud Directory Service
An all-in-one platform like a cloud directory service, or Directory-as-a-Service®, provides organizations with identity access control, system management, and event logging from one pane of administrative glass.
Tracking Individual System Access with Directory-as-a-Service
JumpCloud® Directory-as-a-Service is the first cloud directory service, consolidating identity and access management for virtually all IT resources, including Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.
By adding the premium System Insights™ and Directory Insights™ monitoring and reporting functions to the core Directory-as-a-Service (DaaS) platforms, admins can observe access logs by system or fleetwide and monitor system configurations en masse, ensuring the utmost security while also covering many compliance requirements. Additionally, admins can keep tabs on system configurations and performance indicators to make sure that end user systems are secured from a settings standpoint, too.
Then, using the Policies, Commands, and MDM features in DaaS, admins can remotely push changes to systems, configure custom settings, remotely install software, and more.
Enable Secure Hybrid Work Anywhere, Anytime
Identity, access, and device management from a single cloud-based console
Try JumpCloud Free
DaaS is free for up to 10 users and systems, with System and Directory Insights included as well until after you scale. Just sign up for JumpCloud to get your free account, and we’ll throw in 10 days of 24×7 implementation chat support to help get you started.
