{"id":53809,"date":"2021-09-20T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-20T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/?p=53809"},"modified":"2024-02-21T12:14:30","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T17:14:30","slug":"remote-software-and-os-update-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/blog\/remote-software-and-os-update-management","title":{"rendered":"Remote Software & OS Update Management as Part of Modern Device Management"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Modern IT environments typically support Mac, Windows, and Linux devices, and those devices each contain a variety of applications, utilities, and other pieces of software to fulfil their function. Every one of these can pose significant risk to an organization\u2019s security if left unmanaged by IT \u2014 unmanaged meaning devices may not be configured, secured, or updated properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One specific concern that stems from unmanaged devices is update and patch management or a lack thereof. If any critical updates to software or the underlying operating system are left in the hands of users to monitor and update at their own discretion, it\u2019s unlikely that your organization will be in compliance with various standards, nor will your overall security posture be at its best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To keep issues like this at bay, it\u2019s important to adopt organization-wide policies regarding user and device management \u2014 especially in the realm of software and operating system updates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of that, it\u2019s crucial to implement a modern, robust device management system that gives IT admins the ability to install, manage, update, and remove applications and software no matter where a device is located or what type of device is being used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking at the big picture, the user and device management system that your organization chooses to employ should include the following five key components and capabilities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Zero-touch enrollment<\/a> and deployment<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Full user management control<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Remote device configuration<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Remote software and OS update management<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Device health and telemetry monitoring<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    In this article, we\u2019ll dive into why modern IT environments need an equally modern device management system in place that enables remote software and OS management, what components should be included in a cloud device management<\/a> system to keep software current and out of harm\u2019s way, and how JumpCloud turns these necessities into reality with a single platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why Modern Device Management Systems Need Remote Software and OS Management Capabilities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Long gone are the days when in-office attendance and on-prem IT infrastructure were essentially the one and only option for work. Now, some employees are in the office, some are at home, and others are working from a different location every week while they travel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Plus, all of these employees need access to a wide variety of resources that IT has to manage. Not only that, but many organizations manage a wide variety of operating systems<\/a> across employee devices, from macOS to Windows to Linux (not to mention mobile device OSs such as iOS and Android), which makes device management that much more difficult compared to the traditional all-Windows setup that could more easily hone in on a specific list of support software that existed 20 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To keep up with the ever-evolving IT ecosystem, IT admins need a modern device management system that allows teams to view what software and apps are installed on remote devices as well as seamlessly control, monitor, manage, and update all of it without interrupting users. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To ensure that certain software is not installed on any company machines, patch approved software, and update operating systems as new versions are pushed out, IT admins need to have centralized control over remote devices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This part of modern device management<\/a> is integral to passing audits and achieving continued compliance with remote users and varying operating systems across devices, as well as to keeping your organization\u2019s security top-of-mind while mitigating the chances of a breach through continuous remote monitoring and updating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Keeping Things Up-to-Date With a Robust Remote Device Management System<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    A modern, cloud-based device management system should have the following capabilities when it comes to managing software:<\/p>\n\n\n\n