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Are you feeling the weight of tightening IT budgets and increasingly complex hybrid environments?
You’re not alone.
In the fast-paced technology landscape, many IT leaders are facing similar challenges. They’re under pressure and juggling financial constraints with everything from ensuring robust security to optimizing operational efficiency and governing their tech ecosystems effectively.
To help navigate these challenges, Raconteur—a publisher of high-quality journalism across technology and other markets—sought Flexera’s expertise and compiled it into three insightful articles. Two of our Flexera experts, Product Marketers Jennifer Kuvlesky and Kevin Miller, contributed their wealth of knowledge in each one.
The silent security threat
In “The silent security threat: Why IT leaders must regain control of their software ecosystem,” Jennifer and Kevin emphasize the rising threat of shadow IT and explain how it exposes organizations to compliance, security and cost challenges. They also highlight the critical need for IT leaders to manage and secure their software environments amid shadow IT’s rise.
In the article, they recommend a strategic IT asset management (ITAM) approach with a deep focus on the following areas to combat shadow IT:
- Data access and storage policies—Implement strict data access and storage policies to prevent unauthorized access and ensure data integrity
- Enhanced security measures—Utilize advanced security measures such as multi-factor authentication, encryption and regular security audits
- Compliance with data privacy regulations—Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA to maintain trust and avoid penalties
- Managing security risks: Identifying and mitigating risks posed by unmanaged or unauthorized applications to protect against data breaches
Cutting waste and boosting efficiency with IT asset visibility
In “Cut waste and boost efficiency with IT asset visibility,” Jennifer and Kevin emphasize the importance of enhancing IT asset visibility to optimize resource allocation and reduce waste. Here are some practical strategies that they recommend in the article:
- Implement data processing methods—Start using data processing methods that allow for the storage and access of information on devices, using cookies and other identifiers to track device characteristics, IP addresses and user interactions
- Analyze data for insights—Collect and analyze data to gain insights into asset usage, identify inefficiencies and make informed decisions
- Take steps to ensure security and fraud prevention—Use these methods to ensure security, prevent fraud and fix errors; these are all essential for maintaining a robust IT environment
- Optimize user interactions—Enhance user interactions with IT assets and services through cookies that maintain session information and user preferences to create a more efficient and user-friendly experience
A governance guide for your tech ecosystem
The third article, “The IT decision-maker’s guide to governing your tech ecosystem,” provides a comprehensive guide for IT leaders wanting to take command of their tech ecosystems effectively.
Again, Jennifer and Kevin offer some key areas for action here:
- Plan strategically—Develop a clear and strategic plan for technology adoption and management
- Strengthen vendor management: Establish strong relationships with vendors and ensure they meet security and compliance standards
- Expand risk management: Identify and mitigate potential risks across your tech ecosystem to ensure its stability and security
- Strive for continuous improvement: Regularly review and update IT policies and practices to stay ahead of emerging technologies and threats
What now?
To get the full picture, we encourage you to read all three articles:
The silent security threat: Why IT leaders must regain control of their software ecosystem
Cut waste and boost efficiency with IT asset visibility
The IT decision-maker’s guide to governing your tech ecosystem
However, this blog post is just a glimpse into the many insights and expert strategies from our Flexera experts. If you want to know more about how Flexera could help your business, just click here.
