Simplified Administration The management and features of Forefront Client Security provide significant improvements and benefits to IT departments, including: Best Practice – Analog Devices Boston-based manufacturing firm Analog Devices simplified its security-related IT infrastructure and the associated management processes by: Distributing new virus signatures using Microsoft Windows Server™ Update Services. This allows Analog Devices to eliminate 12 distribution points required for its old product. Integrating with Active Directory, which eliminates the need for a dedicated, proprietary tool to manage the company’s desktop antivirus solution. Requiring only one report to monitor the status of desktop security on a daily basis. This helps their system administrators quickly ascertain the status across all PCs and easily drill down into the details on one PC. IT Managers of Forefront Client Security deploy a single application to user desktops either manually or part of a standard image; IT Managers manage Forefront Client Security via Active Directory Group Policy, including policies blocking network access for PCs; Forefront Client Security’s signature updates are deployed automatically to all PCs via Windows Software Update Service (WSUS) – which can be scheduled after hours to avoid end-user impact; Several survey participants experienced significant IT benefits through the improved management tools, reduction in security issues requiring response, and reduced software costs. Reduced IT Management Cost Organizations improve desktop security management with Forefront Client Security via: Easier deployment managed by Group Policy Easier ongoing management through centralized Automated signature update deployment with WSUS Survey participants reduced the time require for desktop security management based on Forefront Client Security’s easy-to-use and informative management system and the use of WSUS to deploy signature updates. The time required to identify and update out-of-compliance PCs was also reduced.
“We started using WSUS for our virus definition updates,” said William Fulton, Network Specialist, Des Moines Public Schools. “The process was so easy that we’re now using WSUS for all our Microsoft software updates.” What This Means for You Not every organization will realize benefits in this category, but you can estimate whether your company can benefit by estimating current IT staffing, and whether some resources handing IT security administration could be better used in other capacities. Then identify how many security resolution resources can actually be reassigned after deploying Forefront Client Security. Measure in terms of average IT salary saved or added benefit of IT staff in new (previously understaffed) roles. Not all the survey participants saw IT administration benefits, because some had already made investments in improved IT infrastructure. However, organizations that did realize benefits in this category averaged $7.50 per desktop annual savings by avoiding new hires and/or reallocating headcount to more critical IT functions. “Tech service time can definitely be put to better use than re-imaging computers damaged by malware attack,” said Fulton.