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Asset Tracking
Centrally, ITS also tracks what users and departments are assigned what hardware, and we also track what hardware needs replacement and when. This is done through asset management software (currently Web Help Desk), and is keyed to the unique Carleton ID (that is, the CCID) of the hardware, i.e., to the number on the barcode sticky affixed to most deployed hardware. Everyone in ITS can see this data. We need it to know where to go if a physical asset needs attention or replacement and to tie information to that asset if a user (or in some cases, an automated system) notifies us of a problem.
Patching
Windows machines on campus take their operating system updates from a local patch server (/wiki/spaces/itskb/pages/26116233). This That patch server tells us what machines have updated, when, and which updates were applied. We need this information in order to ensure that everyone's computer is up to date and not vulnerable to any obvious intrusions or attacks. It turns out that, out of all the various defenses users, and ITS, can deploy, simply keeping devices up to date is the very best and most effective. See also below on the KBox, under Software Deployment, Packaging.
Software Deployment, Packaging
The software inventory, operating system, and general configuration parameters of all computers deployed to users and computing labs are recorded in software we purchase from Dell Computing, called KBox. This software The KBox helps us package up other software for easy installation in labs and on user devices like desktops and laptops. Often a particular piece of software will require a special license key, or it will need to be pointed at a particular device on campus. The KBox can automate these configuration steps. It can also tell us if, for example, a piece of software needs updating and it can take the needed action(usually) perform the update. This is particularly useful when a serious security issue has been discovered. ITS
ITS staff can see this KBox data. We need to see it in order to understand and diagnose software issues that users call about, and to know where to put what software. We also need it in order us about. We also use it to get software installed to all the right places. And we use it to find machines that are not updating their software correctly and are therefore exposing users to hostile activity and malwarepossible compromise, or opening them the user and Carleton up to licensing violations.
Cloud Lock, Spirion
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