Network assessments are a unique and effective offering under the “network security” umbrella. A network assessment tool doesn’t simply monitor a network like RMM software does. It provides ongoing network “snapshots,” which help identify patterns and behaviors that can predict a breach. It’s a more proactive and holistic way to support network security programs.
All networks—and businesses—are constantly at risk. The market is rife with viruses, spyware, malware, and worms that can inflict irreparable harm through downtime, loss of data, and security compromises. Even the most robust anti-virus and malware protection doesn’t perform perfectly 100% of the time.
Network assessments can serve as regular “Security Health Checks”, helping protect assets, guard against downtime—and basically, allow everyone to sleep better at night. However, regular is the keyword here. A single assessment is only the first step of what should be an ongoing process, one that recognizes network changes and behavioral models over time.
MSPs can often sell managed security assessments as a supplemental service, generating incremental revenue, since it’s not often included in standard service contracts.
Identify Potential Risks
A network is an ever-changing entity, moving through a lifecycle that is constantly in flux. Whether you’re prospecting a lead, visiting an existing customer, or managing your internal networks, an IT assessment doesn’t just provide simple network documentation, it often unearths opportunities to provide additional protection and/or services.
Assessment reports can detect when systems are near capacity and identify machines that are approaching end-of-life. The reports identify the need for upgrades and migrations, delivering concrete documentation of exactly what machines and platforms require a refresh. Network Detective Pro’s Active Directory analysis can assess whether there are inactive login credentials with enabled access, which are often ex-employees or old vendors. These pose serious security risks from both disgruntled ex-employees and hackers who could easily gain access to confidential information.
One of our MSP partners used Network Detective Pro to detect a massive security risk: More than 700 accounts on their client’s network contained logins that were still active, despite those users no longer being employed by the organization. That assessment led to a substantial networking project for the MSP.
Offer an Exchange or Cloud Migration
A network assessment report creates a record of the current Exchange environment (whether your own or a client’s), allowing you to ascertain the overall project parameters, in addition to providing the necessary information required for such an undertaking regarding mailboxes, distribution lists, and mobile device usage to management or clients. A post-migration assessment provides documentation of the new environment, detailing the scope of the work and verifying its completion.
A similar course can be taken for a migration of network assets to the cloud. Assessment reports document the environment so you can analyze the current network, determine which components are candidates for the migration, and assist in the detailed planning and execution of transitioning servers or desktops to a hosted platform. Of course, a post-project assessment would be performed to document the new environment, to verify accurate project completion.
RapidFire Tools’ Network Detective Pro is a completely agentless solution with the ideal network discovery stack. Get a demo today to learn more about how you can keep networks and users better protected, whether you’re an IT professional or MSP.
