Why good systems management is good security

Here at 1E we are currently developing a series of benchmarks for ActiveEfficiency, the world’s first IT efficiency platform. One of our areas of focus is IT security, and I want to explain how good systems management goes a long way to preventing cyber attacks.
The cost of cyber crime to the UK is estimated to be between £18 billion and £27 billion. This interesting figure came from the National Audit Office (NAO) and only comprises of the UK alone. I can only assume that in the US this figure is substantially larger. Amyas Morse, head of NAO notes that “The threat to cyber security is persistent and continually evolving. Business, government and the public must constantly be alert to the level of risk if they are to succeed in detecting and resisting the threat of cyber-attack,”
With more and more news appearing about how governments and high profile businesses are being hacked, security and compliance in IT has never been more paramount. Professional security magazine online commented that “All too often businesses think they can reduce their exposure to threats by adding more and more IT security solutions” and whilst this may provide some benefit, the disparate systems means more overhead to manage and maintain and all too often leave gaping holes that criminals will exploit.
An often overlooked approach is to ensure computer systems are properly maintained, with regular OS patching, application white-listing, upgrading of legacy (potentially highly vulnerable) applications as well as the monitoring use of administrative privileges. These four systems management activities are proven to mitigate 85 per cent of all cyber-attacks.
By getting their systems in order, and harnessing the skills and toolsets of their systems management teams, businesses can bolster their security overnight. Good systems management is good security.