NEW: Microsoft Vulnerabilities Report 2022 - Read the Findings of Our Annual Report Read Now

  • Partners
  • Support
  • Careers
  • English
    • Deutsch
    • français
    • español
    • 한국어
    • português
BeyondTrust
  • Products

    Privileged Password Management

    Discover, manage, audit, and monitor privileged accounts and credentials.

    • Password Safe
    • DevOps Secrets Safe
    • Privileged Access Discovery Application

    Endpoint Privilege Management

    Enforce least privilege across Windows, Mac, Linux, and Unix endpoints.

    • Windows and Mac
    • Unix and Linux
    • Active Directory Bridge

    Secure Remote Access

    Centrally manage remote access for service desks, vendors, and operators.

    • Remote Support
    • Privileged Remote Access
    • Privileged Access Discovery Application

    Cloud Security Management

    Automate the management of identities and assets across your multicloud footprint.

    • Cloud Privilege Broker

    BeyondInsight

    Experience the industry’s most innovative, comprehensive platform for privileged access management.

  • Solutions

    Use Cases

    • Cloud Security
    • Compliance
    • Cyber Insurance
    • Digital Transformation
    • Endpoint Security
    • Operational Technology
    • Ransomware
    • Service Desk Efficiency
    • Zero Trust

    Industry Applications

    • Financial Services
    • Government Agencies
    • Healthcare
    • Law Enforcement
    • Manufacturing
    • Schools & Universities

    Solutions

    The BeyondTrust Privileged Access Management portfolio is an integrated solution that provides visibility and control over all privileged accounts and users.

  • Resources

    Learn

    • Blog
    • Customer Stories
    • Competitor Comparisons
    • Datasheets
    • Videos
    • Glossary
    • Infographics
    • Podcast
    • Whitepapers

    Attend

    • Events
    • Go Beyond
    • Training
    • Webinars

    Support

    • Changelog
    • Professional Services
    • Technical Documentation

    Universal Privilege Management

    Our innovative Universal Privilege Management approach secures every user, asset, and session across your entire enterprise.

  • Company
    • About
    • Leadership
    • Core Values
    • Partners
    • Careers
  • Watch Demo
  • Contact Sales

4 Security Considerations for 2013

October 20, 2017

  • Blog
  • Archive
  1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. 4 Security Considerations for 2013

While forecasting the security culprits of the coming year has become a clichéd annual technology tradition, there is definite value in preparing for what may lurk ahead. Take for instance, how quickly the threat landscape has shifted. It’s hard to believe that movements, like Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or cloud computing, have only recently emerged, yet they have become ingrained in our security posture and threat landscape. Considering this speed of change, taking a moment to reflect on the security risks ahead is not only prudent, but could save your organization from being blindsided. From my view, here’s what I’d recommend organizations, from SMBs to the enterprise, prepare for 2013.

The Contraction of BYOD

With the introduction of tablets and mini-laptops, BYOD has evolved from checking email to accessing secured desktops through terminal services and VDIs. And now, according to a recent ISACA survey, 86% of business and IT professionals consider using personal devices for business either a medium (46%) or high (40%) security risk. With the vast majority of professionals sensing something awry with the unfettered proliferation of BYOD, we’re inevitably on a collision course with reality. In 2013, I predict BYOD will inch towards relegating back to checking email from your personal computer, whereas corporate-owned laptops and tablets will experience a resurgence of popularity, buoyed by the availability of enterprise-friendly devices, like Windows 8 tablets.

With BYOD in decline, corporately-owned and –secured devices will become more prominent in the enterprise space, and as a result, a choose-your-own-device (CYOD) movement will take greater precedence.

The Comeback of the Corporate-Owned Device

Amid the heyday of BYOD, corporate-owned devices were considered antiquated and synonymous with clunky RIM devices. Building on the CYOD movement mentioned above, with the introduction of a slew of tablets that run the gamut from detachable screen ultrabooks to the convergence of laptops and tablets, companies now have a plethora of options, at varying price points, to make corporate-owned devices alluring again.

The challenge that will face organizations is how to keep these endpoints secure. While many might think antivirus is enough, more proactive measures are necessary – depending on the scope and functionality of the device. In fact, new hybrid devices must be secured just as a regular desktop, putting the onus on organizations to keep track of how quickly mobile security is becoming more sophisticated.

The Demise of the Admin Right

A little-known truth that is gaining acceptance among CTOs is that very, very few people within an organization require admin rights, including IT administrators. And this isn’t about restricting or taking away the rights of tech-savvy employees or IT administrators, it’s about protecting the integrity of the system they are trying to protect. Too often, inexperienced IT administrators or the office tech novice will, in an attempt to be helpful, perform a task that’s beyond their remit or experience level, potentially putting the entire IT system at risk. As more organizations wake up to this unnecessary risk, we can expect fewer and fewer employees, including IT admins, afforded fully privileged accounts.

Even a true administrator could log in as a standard user without ever needing a privilege account. Many organizations have taken the first step by removing admin rights from the majority of users, holding back from making the move complete only because of the inconvenience it might cause to the most tech savvy employees.

The Windows 8 Debate

Because so many companies have already begun their Windows 7 roll-outs, many will waffle with how, if at all, to embrace Windows 8. For instance, the redesigned touch screen and styled interface could interfere with productivity as employees struggle with tasks that became second nature on the older operating systems. On top of this, there are two types of vulnerabilities on Windows 8 – the traditional desktop apps, which carry the same threats as Windows 7 and the app store applications. Although the Windows store apps are arguably more secure, there are still risks associated with how thorough the application verification process will be and whether OS vulnerabilities would allow an application to escape from the confines of the sandbox. Plus, not all of the apps will be suitable for enterprise use so most organizations will want to apply some level of control here. But you can’t, nor should you, stop the tracks of progress, so I predict we will see pockets of Windows 8 adoption, driven largely by new tablets, ultrabooks and hybrid devices.

Looking back, there’s certainly much technological innovation to celebrate. But, to borrow from a well-known adage, with great innovation can also come great risk. So let’s take heed to the proper precautions and ring in a safe and secure 2013.

Paul Kenyon,

Stay Up To Date

Get the latest news, ideas, and tactics from BeyondTrust. You may unsubscribe at any time.

I agree to receive product related communications from BeyondTrust as detailed in the Privacy Policy, and I may manage my preferences or withdraw my consent at any time.

You May Also Be Interested In:

Whitepapers

IDSA Report: 2022 Trends in Securing Digital Identities

Whitepapers

Microsoft Vulnerabilities Report 2022

Whitepapers

Cybersecurity Insurance Checklist

Keep up with BeyondTrust

I agree to receive product related communications from BeyondTrust as detailed in the Privacy Policy, and I may manage my preferences or withdraw my consent at any time.

Customer Support
Contact Sales

Products

  • Endpoint Privilege Management
  • Password Management
  • Privileged Remote Access
  • DevOps Secrets Safe
  • Remote Support
  • Cloud Privilege Broker

Resources

  • Blog
  • Case Studies
  • Competitor Comparisons
  • Datasheets
  • Glossary
  • Infographics
  • Podcast
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Whitepapers

About

  • Company
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Leadership Team
  • Partner Program
  • Press
BeyondTrust Logo
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Privacy
  • Security
  • Manage Cookies
  • WEEE Compliance

Copyright © 1999 — 2022 BeyondTrust Corporation. All rights reserved. Other trademarks identified on this page are owned by their respective owners. BeyondTrust Corporation is not a chartered bank or trust company, or depository institution. It is not authorized to accept deposits or trust accounts and is not licensed or regulated by any state or federal banking authority.