There is far too much happening beneath the surface that they simply aren’t able to see or do anything about. It’s like an iceberg.

This is a serious issue, one that leads to unmanaged costs, hidden security risks, and surprise fees. No IT department can afford to operate like this. Which is why we created Block 64.

Block 64 is a comprehensive IT asset discovery and management platform for organizations looking to gain full visibility into their IT infrastructure. It empowers IT leaders to proactively oversee IT lifecycle, ensure compliance, and tackle security vulnerabilities head-on.

In our last article, we talked a little bit about why this is happening. Read all about the Top ITAM Mistakes if you missed it.

In this article, we will go through some of our key solutions and show you how Block 64 solves the visibility crisis, transforming the way organizations manage their IT environments.

1. Lifecycle Management

What is Lifecycle Management?

Lifecycle Management involves overseeing the entire lifespan of IT assets—including hardware, software, and cloud infrastructure—from acquisition through to decommissioning. It’s about ensuring these assets are optimized, secure, and up-to-date throughout their use.

Why is it important?

Every IT asset has a finite lifespan. Neglecting to monitor their end-of-life (EOL) status can lead to unexpected downtimes, security vulnerabilities, and inflated maintenance costs. Operating on outdated hardware or software not only risks operational efficiency but also misses opportunities for cost-effective upgrades.

This is not a fringe concern. According to our Benchmarks for CIOs research, 37% of organizations are running unsupported SQL servers, and 52% are operating with unsupported Windows Server versions. Similarly, the report, which analyzed more than 250,000 endpoints across hundreds of North American businesses, found that 44% of IT hardware is beyond warranty. Aging, outdated and unsupported IT infrastructure is a serious, ubiquitous issue.

How Block 64 Solves It

Block 64 automates the tracking of assets across your entire IT landscape, delivering real-time insights into the age, usage, and performance of every component. For instance, the platform proactively flags systems nearing their EOL, allowing you to schedule replacements or upgrades before failures occur. This preemptive approach eliminates reactive replacements and surprise downtimes. By automating lifecycle tracking, Block 64 reduces manual effort and ensures no asset slips through the cracks.

Value Delivered

• Reduced Downtime: Prevent unexpected system failures by replacing assets before they fail.
• Cost Savings: Avoid expensive, last-minute upgrades and capitalize on cost-effective technology advancements.
• Resource Optimization: Free up IT personnel from manual tracking tasks, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives.
• Enhanced Security: Mitigate risks associated with obsolete systems that are more susceptible to vulnerabilities.

2. Security & Vulnerability Management

What is Security & Vulnerability Management?

This practice involves the continuous identification, assessment, and remediation of risks within your IT environment. As new vulnerabilities emerge, IT teams must stay vigilant to prevent potential breaches.

Why is it important?

Unaddressed vulnerabilities are gateways for cyberattacks, leading to data breaches, financial losses, and damage to your organization’s reputation. In an era of sophisticated and evolving threats, proactive vulnerability management is critical to safeguarding your infrastructure.

How Block 64 Solves It

Block 64 offers continuous scanning of your IT environment, pinpointing security vulnerabilities across all endpoints. It identifies risks such as outdated software versions, missing patches, or system misconfigurations. For example, Block 64’s insights revealed that 74% of endpoints were exposed to critical vulnerabilities in a recent benchmark report. Armed with this information, IT teams can swiftly apply patches, upgrade software, or adjust security policies before these vulnerabilities are exploited.

Value Delivered

• Proactive Risk Mitigation: Address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
• Time Efficiency: Reduce the time spent manually tracking and prioritizing threats.
• Resource Allocation: Focus efforts on the most critical vulnerabilities based on severity.
• Enhanced Security Posture: Strengthen defenses against potential cyberattacks.

3. Compliance & License Management

What is Compliance & License Management?

Compliance management ensures your IT environment adheres to regulatory and industry standards. License management involves tracking software usage to prevent over-licensing (wasting resources) or under-licensing (risking penalties).

Why is it important?

Software audits can result in unexpected fees if licenses aren’t properly managed. Over-licensing leads to unnecessary expenses, while under-licensing exposes you to legal risks and potential fines during audits. For example, our Benchmarks research showed that 63% of businesses are running legacy versions of Java – putting them at risk of massive price increases due to changes in Java licensing.

How Block 64 Solves It

Block 64 provides real-time tracking of software usage and licensing across your organization. It delivers detailed insights into software utilization, helping you determine whether you’re compliant with licensing agreements. For instance, the platform can alert you when you’re approaching or exceeding license limits, allowing corrective action before an audit. Conversely, it highlights underused licenses, enabling you to reallocate or discontinue unused software subscriptions.

Value Delivered

• Cost Avoidance: Prevent financial penalties associated with non-compliance.
• Optimized Spending: Eliminate costs from underutilized licenses.
• Audit Preparedness: Maintain readiness for audits with accurate, up-to-date licensing information.
• Operational Efficiency: Save time by automating license tracking and compliance reporting.

4. Cloud & Copilot Planning

What is Cloud & Copilot Planning?

Cloud planning involves evaluating and migrating suitable IT assets to the cloud to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Copilot planning focuses on preparing your IT environment for AI-driven tools like Microsoft Copilot, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance.

Why is it important?

Strategic cloud migration can lead to significant cost savings and operational improvements, but missteps can result in overspending and resource misalignment. Similarly, integrating AI tools requires careful preparation to avoid performance issues and security vulnerabilities.

How Block 64 Solves It

Block 64 assists in identifying which assets are prime candidates for cloud migration by analyzing resource utilization and interdependencies. For example, it can spotlight underutilized servers that, when migrated, optimize cloud expenditure and efficiency. In terms of Copilot planning, Block 64 ensures your infrastructure is secure and compatible with AI tools, facilitating a smooth and effective rollout.

Value Delivered

• Cost Optimization: Migrate only necessary assets to the cloud, avoiding unnecessary expenses.
• Efficient Migrations: Streamline the migration process with data-driven insights.
• AI Integration: Accelerate the adoption of AI tools like Copilot without compromising security.
• Future-Proofing: Prepare your IT environment for emerging technologies and innovations.

Ready to Transform Your IT Environment?

Experience the transformative power of proactive IT management with Block 64. Sign up for a free trial and gain full access to our platform—no commitments required. Devote just 30 minutes per week to your personalized dashboard, and witness the immediate value we bring.

👉 Start Your Free Trial Today

Don’t let outdated practices hold your organization back. Embrace the future of IT management and unlock your team’s full potential with Block 64.

The post Visibility Crisis: How Block 64 Solves Modern ITAM Challenges first appeared on Block 64.

“The successful re-certification reflects our ongoing commitment to information security for our partners and customers,” said James Corless, Chief Executive Officer of Block 64. “The discipline required to meet and maintain these standards is critically important, not only to regulatory compliance-dependent organizations, but to every Block 64 partner and customer that requires certainty that their data is being handled with the utmost care.”

The rigorous audit conducted by BDO Canada involved evaluating Block 64’s security controls, monitoring processes, communications, risk management practices as well as the policies and procedures it uses for writing and releasing new software and updates to the market. 

To assist with audit preparation and year-round monitoring, Block 64 continued the use of Drata, a compliance automation platform, that can provide yet another level of assurance to customers that Block 64 are regularly reviewing their security and compliance position.

For additional information or to obtain a copy of Block 64’s most recent SOC 2 Type II Audit report, please visit https://trust.block64.com

The post Block 64 Renews SOC 2 Type II Certification first appeared on Block 64.

Block 64 ITAM data, put to work

This report analyzes data obtained from over 300 organizations across North America using Block 64‘s ITAM management platform. The data offers a snapshot of real-life vulnerabilities, opportunities, and potential challenges across more than 200,000 endpoints. For this edition, we surveyed a new batch of 211,428 endpoints across 348 organizations in North America, providing fresh insights into the current state of IT environments.

So, let’s dive in.

A Historical Month for IT – For All the Wrong Reasons

July 2024 was a challenging month for IT leaders, marked by significant disruptions including a major outage at Crowdstrike and a notable Microsoft Azure outage. These incidents highlighted the critical need for resilience and rapid response capabilities within IT infrastructures.

Impact of CrowdStrike Outage on North American Customers:

For those living under the rocks, CrowdStrike, a leading cybersecurity firm, experienced a significant service interruption due to a technical issue in their update deployment. This outage impacted many organizations globally, highlighting the vulnerabilities even within top-tier cybersecurity providers. According to CrowdStrike, the issue stemmed from a corrupted update file that led to sensor malfunctions across multiple endpoints.

From our scan, we found that CrowdStrike sensors were installed on 43% of systems inventoried. This suggests that up to 18% of our surveyed organizations (63 out of 348 customers) were likely impacted by this outage. The incident underscores the necessity of having a robust ITAM system to quickly identify affected assets and implement corrective measures.

Microsoft Azure Outage:

The Azure outage, which lasted nearly 10 hours, was caused by a combination of a DDoS attack and subsequent internal failures. This disruption had a global impact, affecting businesses dependent on Azure services for their operations. Microsoft reported that the DDoS attack overwhelmed their defenses, leading to cascading failures within their infrastructure.

Lessons and Recommendations:

• Get proactive: Ensure your organization has a rapid response team ready to handle such disruptions. For a deeper dive into resilience strategies, check out our friends at Softchoice’s podcast about resilience and prevention.
• Follow the updates: Read Crowdstrike’s latest update – including details about resuming deployment operations and new options you can choose to decide how you want to receive automatic updates
• Modernize ITAM: Regularly update and audit your ITAM management systems to swiftly identify and mitigate the impacts of outages. Consider leveraging Block 64’s insights and tools to enhance your organization’s resilience against similar incidents.>> Related: Find out why ITAM is modern IT’s secret weapon – Read our blog

IT Leaders Being Pressured to Deliver Copilot, Need Support

As AI continues to transform the business landscape, IT leaders face increasing pressure to develop comprehensive AI adoption plans. Microsoft reports that 60% of Fortune 500 companies have adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot, but many businesses are still navigating their AI strategies.

Current Adoption and Usage:

Our latest data shows that 47% of users are not fully utilizing all Microsoft 365 products, a slight improvement from the previous month’s 49%. Specifically, 68% of users are not using Microsoft Teams, and 55% are not using Microsoft Outlook, reflecting minimal changes from June’s report. Here’s what we suggest:

• Identify key pilot groups within your organization to test Copilot’s functionalities, focusing on teams already using Microsoft 365 products extensively.
• Assess security and licensing impacts as part of the Copilot Readiness Assessment.

Ongoing Security Vulnerabilities Being Overlooked

Security remains a critical concern, with our July 29 report revealing a significant, ongoing presence of critical vulnerabilities across the North American IT landscape.

• 74% of endpoints are critically exposed: The report indicates that 74% of endpoints are exposed to at least one critical vulnerability with a CVSS score of over 9.0, a drastic increase from 60% in the previous month. This spike highlights the escalating security risks faced by organizations.
• AutoCAD Vulnerability: We newly discovered that a critical vulnerability in legacy AutoCAD versions (prior to 2023.1.4 or 2024.1.1) is affecting about 1,000 endpoints across 50 customers. This vulnerability allows maliciously crafted CATPART files to cause crashes, data breaches, or arbitrary code execution.
• SQL and Windows Server Exposures: 37% of organizations are running unsupported SQL servers, and 44% have SQL servers in extended support. Additionally, 52% of organizations still operate unsupported Windows servers, a slight decrease from the previous month’s 53%.

Bottom line: Take action. These security trends necessitate immediate action to strengthen security protocols. Organizations must prioritize regular security audits and updates to mitigate these risks, using a solution such as Block 64’s Security Reports.

Trends in IT Asset Management (ITAM) and Software Asset Management (SAM)

Effective ITAM and SAM is crucial for optimizing resources and maintaining a robust IT infrastructure. This section examines the current trends and highlights areas that need attention.

• Out-of-Warranty Hardware: The percentage of out-of-warranty hardware remains stable at 44%. This indicates that a significant portion of IT infrastructure is aging, potentially leading to higher maintenance costs and increased risk of hardware failures.
• Server Utilization: Servers using less than 25% of available resources stayed consistent at 97% on an endpoint basis. However, from an organizational perspective, there was a significant increase, with 70% of organizations running servers at less than 25% efficiency, up from 60% in June. This jump highlights a growing inefficiency that needs addressing to optimize IT operations and reduce costs.
• Java Exposure: Changes in Oracle’s Java licensing have led many companies to reassess their software usage strategies, potentially increasing expenses by up to 90%. Our findings show that 55% of customers are using a commercial version of Java, slightly down from 56% the previous month.

Putting It Together: ITAM Trends for 2024 Reveal Action Needed

The persistent issues highlighted in this report underscore the urgent need for strategic revisions in IT security and asset management. The first step is gaining insights into your current state to address gaps effectively.

• Leverage Block 64’s platform to illuminate IT blind spots and optimize resources efficiently: Contact us for a demo or sign up for a free trial to start mastering your IT environment.
• For a comprehensive evaluation of your readiness for Copilot adoption, explore our Copilot Readiness Assessment – free if you sign up before August 31, 2024.

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The post Crowdstrike, Copilot and Conquering Risk: CIO Trends for July, 2024 first appeared on Block 64.