How to Automate 10 Common IT Time Waster Tasks to Save Time and Effort

Ready to break up with some of the most common IT time wasters? Read this article for how-to automating your IT tasks! Password resets and provisioning new devices couldn’t be easier.

Helpdesks and IT teams are inundated with repetitive, timeconsuming, often low-value tasks that distract from larger strategic projects. With most IT leaders saying their staff is already stretched thin, this leaves little room for important projects that will lead to greater organizational productivity and efficiency.

Add to this the cost and complexity of point solutions for frequent issues, technician training costs, and lost productivity, and the cost of even simple remediation tasks can creep up quickly.

Most of the repetitive, time-consuming, and low-value tasks that plague helpdesks can be automated away through scripts and automation engine.

Spend less time (and money) on repetitive, time-consuming tasks

Learn how to:

• Reduce ticket volume 20%-50% by automating password resets
• Stop relying on end users to regularly reboot their devices
• Enable users to restore their own files and save your team time

Tasks this guide will help you automate

This guide will show you how to help your IT team spend less time on common IT tasks and give you step-by-step instructions on how to setup these processes. Here is what it will cover:

• Reset passwords
• Reboot endpoints
• Protect business data
• Free up disk space
• Manage antivirus threats
• Deploy software
• Setup a new computer
• Setup user permissions to ensure security
• Patch Windows, Mac, and Linux computers
• Report on IT processes and outcomes

1. Reset passwords

By some estimates, password resets account for 20 – 50% of all helpdesk tickets. It’s a critical, but low-value task and no matter how quickly you do it, it’s not fast enough. Minimizing the time your team spends on password resets will improve end-user satisfaction and save your team significant time.

Here are solutions to automate password reset task and save time and effort for IT teams:

Self-Service Password Reset Portal (SSPR) Tool

Set up a self-service password reset portal where users can reset their passwords independently.
Users should authenticate themselves through security questions, email verification, or other means.
Provide clear instructions and guidelines on the portal to ensure users can easily navigate and reset their passwords.

SSPR tools allow users to reset their own passwords without having to contact the IT help desk. This can save the IT team a significant amount of time, as they will no longer be fielding password reset requests. There are many different SSPR tools available, both commercial and open source. Some popular SSPR tools include:

• ADSelfService Plus
• Password Manager Pro
• Thycotic Secret Server
• ManageEngine Password Manager Pro
• LastPass

To configure an SSPR tool, you will need to:

• Create a user account for each user who will be using the tool.
• Configure the tool to allow users to reset their own passwords.
• Configure the tool to send users notifications when their passwords expire or are compromised.

Step 1: Setup Portal: Deploy a web-based self-service portal accessible to users within your organization.

Step 2: User Verification: Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for secure identity verification.

Step 3: User Registration: Users should pre-register their accounts with alternate contact information like email or phone number.

Step 4: Password Reset: Configure the portal to provide a step-by-step process for password reset.

Step 5: Notification: Notify users via email or SMS about successful password changes.

Step 6: Monitoring: Implement logging and monitoring to track password reset activities.

Use Microsoft’s Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) self-service password reset (SSPR)

To configure it, you need to:

Step 1: Sign in to the Azure portal as a global administrator.

Step 2: Browse to Azure Active Directory > Password reset.

Step 3: On the Properties page, switch the Status from “None” to “Selected” or “All”.

Step 4: Configure the required number of methods to reset password and notifications.

Step 5: Save the changes.

Use a self-service password reset tool, such as ADSelfService Plus

Allows users to reset their own passwords without contacting the IT team. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Install and run ADSelfService Plus on a server that can communicate with your Active Directory domain controller.

Step 2: Configure the self-service policy settings, such as the enrollment options, the verification methods, the password complexity rules, and the automation frequency.

Step 3: Enroll the users in the self-service portal, either manually or automatically, and ask them to provide their verification details, such as email, phone number, security questions, etc.

Step 4: Educate the users on how to access the self-service portal and reset their passwords using their verification details

Use a self-service password reset software like Microsoft Entra ID

This software is a complete identity and access management solution that connects users to their apps, devices, and data. It also helps protect from identity compromise by using advanced security features like conditional access, identity protection, and privileged identity management. To configure this software, you need to:

Step 1: Sign up for a Microsoft Entra ID plan or use the free edition if you have less than 50,000 users.

Step 2: Set up your identity sources, such as Active Directory, Azure AD, or other cloud directories.

Step 3: Configure the self-service password reset and account unlock policies in the Entra ID portal.

Step 4: Enable the self-service password reset and account unlock features for your users in the Entra ID portal.

Step 5: Test the self-service password reset and account unlock functionality using the Entra ID app or web browser.

Use an automated password reset tool like N-able Passportal plus Blink

This tool allows users to autonomously reset their passwords across various platforms, such as Active Directory, Windows, Azure AD, and Microsoft 365. It also provides security features like multifactor authentication, encryption, and auditing. To configure this tool, you need to:

Step 1: Sign up for a free trial or purchase a subscription from the N-able website.

Step 2: Download and install the Passportal agent on your domain controller and the Blink app on your users’ devices.

Step 3: Configure the settings and policies for password reset and account unlock in the Passportal web portal.

Step 4: Enroll your users and assign them authentication methods, such as email, SMS, or biometrics.

Step 5: Test the password reset and account unlock functionality using the Blink app.

Use a web-based system, such as Google Forms

Collect password reset requests via an online form and execute them using scripts. To configure this solution, you need to:

• Create and publish an online form for your password reset service, using Google Forms or other similar tools, and ask users to provide their information and verification details.
• Write a script that runs when a new response is submitted to the form, using Google Apps Script or other similar tools.
• Connect the script with your Active Directory or other identity provider, using APIs or custom integrations, to enable the script to verify the user’s identity and reset their password.
• Test and monitor the system’s performance and user feedback, and improve it as needed.

Use a web-based password reset solution like ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus

This solution is an integrated Active Directory self-service password management and single sign-on solution. It allows users to reset their passwords and unlock their accounts from a web browser or mobile app. It also supports multiple authentication methods, such as security questions, email verification, SMS verification, Google Authenticator, etc. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Download and install the ADSelfService Plus server on your domain controller or a separate machine.

Step 2: Configure the ADSelfService Plus settings and policies for password reset and account unlock in the web console.

Step 3: Enroll your users and assign them authentication methods in the web console.

Step 4: Test the password reset and account unlock functionality using the ADSelfService Plus web portal or mobile app.

Use a PowerShell script to automate password reset and account unlock tasks

PowerShell is a scripting language that can be used to perform various administrative tasks on Windows systems. You can write a PowerShell script that can generate random passwords, reset passwords, unlock accounts, send notifications, etc. To use this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Install PowerShell on your domain controller or a separate machine.

Step 2: Write a PowerShell script that can perform password reset and account unlock tasks using Active Directory cmdlets.

Step 3: Schedule the PowerShell script to run at regular intervals using Task Scheduler or another scheduling tool.

Step 4: Test the password reset and account unlock functionality by running the PowerShell script manually or checking the logs.

Use a cloud-based identity service like Okta

Okta is a cloud-based platform that provides identity and access management solutions for various applications and devices. It allows users to reset their passwords and unlock their accounts using a web browser or mobile app. It also supports multiple authentication methods, such as email verification, SMS verification, security questions, etc. To use this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Sign up for an Okta plan or use the free edition if you have less than 2,000 users.

Step 2: Set up your identity sources, such as Active Directory, Azure AD, or other cloud directories.

Step 3: Configure the self-service password reset and account unlock policies in the Okta admin console.

Step 4: Enable the self-service password reset and account unlock features for your users in the Okta admin console.

Step 5: Test the self-service password reset and account unlock functionality using the Okta web portal or mobile app.

Use a password management tool

Password management tools can help users to create and manage strong passwords for all of their online accounts. This can help to reduce the number of password reset requests that the IT team receives, as users will be less likely to forget their passwords if they are using a password manager. There are many different password management tools available, both commercial and open source.

Use a password manager tool that securely stores and manages the user’s passwords for different applications and devices. This tool can be configured to generate strong and unique passwords for each account, and to autofill the login credentials when the user accesses the account. The tool can also be configured to require a master password or biometric authentication from the user before accessing the stored passwords. The user only needs to remember the master password and does not need to contact the IT team for password reset requests for different accounts.

Some popular password management tools include:

• LastPass
• 1Password
• Dashlane
• Keeper
• Bitwarden

To configure a password management tool, you will need to:

• Create a master password for the tool.
• Share the master password with the users who will be using the tool.
• Configure the tool to store passwords for all of the users’ online accounts.

To use LastPass:

Step 1: Install the LastPass browser extension and create an account.

Step 2: Add sites to your LastPass vault.

Step 3: When logging in to a site, LastPass will auto-fill your credentials.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) / Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA requires users to provide two or more pieces of identification to authenticate themselves. This can help to prevent unauthorized access to accounts, even if a user’s password is compromised. Implement a two-factor authentication system to enhance security and simplify password reset. Users can reset their password by verifying their identity through a second factor, such as a one-time password (OTP) sent to their mobile device. Configure the 2FA system to integrate with your existing authentication infrastructure.

There are many different MFA solutions available, both commercial and open source. Some popular MFA solutions include:

• Duo Security
• Okta
• Auth0
• Ping Identity
• Microsoft Azure MFA

To configure MFA, you will need to:

• Purchase an MFA solution.
• Configure the MFA solution to work with your organization’s directory service.
• Enable MFA for all users who need it.

Google Authenticator is a commonly used MFA tool. To set it up:

Step 1: Download the Google Authenticator app on your mobile device.

Step 2: In your Google account, go to “Security” > “2-Step Verification”.

Step 3: Click “Get Started” and follow the prompts to set up the Authenticator app.

Single Sign-On (SSO) with Password Reset Integration

Utilizing a Single Sign-On solution with password reset integration simplifies the authentication process and provides a streamlined password reset method.

Step 1: Select SSO Provider: Choose an SSO provider that supports password reset integration.

Step 2: User Directory Integration: Integrate your user directory (like Active Directory) with the SSO provider.

Step 3: Password Policies: Configure password policies within the SSO provider.

Step 4: Password Reset Option: Enable the password reset option within the SSO login page.

Step 5: User Notification: Notify users about the SSO-based password reset process.

Password Synchronization

Use a password synchronization tool that allows users to have a single sign-on experience across different applications and devices. This tool can be configured to automatically update the user’s password in all the connected systems whenever the user changes their password in one system. This way, the user only needs to remember one password and does not need to contact the IT team for password reset requests for different systems.

• Deploy a password synchronization tool that automatically synchronizes passwords across different systems and applications.
• When users reset their password in one system, the tool updates the password in all connected systems.
• Choose a password synchronization solution compatible with your existing infrastructure and ensure proper configuration.

Password Expiration Notification

Implement a password expiration notification system to proactively remind users to change their passwords.

• Configure the system to send email notifications to users when their passwords are nearing expiration.
• Include instructions in the notifications on how to reset passwords using the self-service portal or other automated methods.

Automated Password Expiry Reminders

Automated reminders about password expiry prompt users to change passwords before they expire, reducing last-minute password reset requests.

Step 1: Script Setup: Develop a script to periodically check password expiry dates for users in your directory.

Step 2: Notification: Send automated email notifications to users well in advance of password expiration.

Step 3: Reminder Frequency: Customize the frequency and timing of reminders based on your organization’s policies.

Password Expiration Policy

Use a password expiration policy that forces users to change their passwords periodically, such as every 90 days. This policy can be enforced by the Active Directory or other identity management systems, and can also be customized to apply different rules for different groups of users, such as administrators, managers, or employees. The policy can also be configured to send email reminders to users before their passwords expire, and to lock out users who fail to change their passwords within the grace period.

A password expiration policy defines how often users must change their passwords. This can help to reduce the risk of password compromise, as attackers will have less time to crack a user’s password before it expires. The password expiration policy should be configured to expire passwords every 90 days or less.

Chatbot-Assisted or Virtual Assistant Password Reset

Develop a chatbot or virtual assistant that can handle password reset requests through natural language processing. Users can interact with the chatbot or virtual assistant via a web interface or messaging platforms. Configure the system to authenticate users and guide them through the password reset process, providing necessary instructions and verifying identity.

It’s important to note that the implementation steps and configurations for each solution may vary depending on your specific environment and existing infrastructure. It is recommended to consult with your IT team or a professional to ensure proper setup and security measures are in place.

Use a chatbot or a virtual assistant, such as Microsoft Power Virtual Agents, that can interact with users and guide them through the password reset process. To configure this solution, you need to:

• Create and publish a chatbot using Power Virtual Agents, either on a website or a messaging platform, such as Teams or Slack.
• Design and build a conversation flow for the password reset scenario, using the graphical interface or the natural language understanding capabilities of Power Virtual Agents.
• Integrate the chatbot with your Active Directory or other identity provider, using Power Automate or custom connectors, to enable the chatbot to verify the user’s identity and reset their password.
• Test and monitor the chatbot’s performance and user feedback, and improve it as needed.

Explanation: Implementing a chatbot for password reset tasks provides a user-friendly interface and reduces the need for manual IT intervention.

Step 1: Select Chatbot Platform: Choose a chatbot platform that supports integration with your user directory and password reset mechanisms.

Step 2: Integration: Integrate the chatbot with your authentication systems and user directory.

Step 3: User Interaction: Train the chatbot to understand password reset requests and guide users through the process.

Step 4: Verification: Implement identity verification steps, such as security questions or MFA.

Step 5: Reset Process: Enable the chatbot to trigger password resets for authenticated users.

Use a voice-based system, such as Amazon Connect

Handle password reset requests over the phone using speech recognition and synthesis. To configure this solution, you need to:

• Set up and configure an Amazon Connect instance, and create a phone number for your password reset service.
• Create a contact flow for the password reset scenario, using the graphical interface or the AWS Lambda functions of Amazon Connect.
• Integrate the contact flow with your Active Directory or other identity provider, using AWS services or custom integrations, to enable the system to verify the user’s identity and reset their password.
• Test and monitor the system’s performance and user feedback, and improve it as needed.

Use an email-based system, such as Microsoft Outlook

Process password reset requests via email using rules and macros. To configure this solution, you need to:

• Create and configure an email account for your password reset service, and set up an auto-reply message that instructs users on how to request a password reset.
• Create a rule that triggers a macro when an email with a specific subject line or keyword is received by the email account.
• Write a macro that extracts the user’s information from the email body, verifies their identity using your Active Directory or other identity provider, resets their password, and sends them a confirmation email.
• Test and monitor the system’s performance and user feedback, and improve it as needed.

API-Driven Password Reset Automation

Using APIs to automate password reset processes offers a flexible and customizable approach for different systems and scenarios.

Step 1: API Setup: Develop or leverage APIs provided by your authentication system.

Step 2: Authentication: Implement proper authentication and authorization mechanisms for API access.

Step 3: User Interaction: Create an interface (web page, mobile app, etc.) to interact with the API.

Step 4: Identity Verification: Include secure identity verification methods like email links or SMS verification codes.

Step 5: Password Reset: Use the API to trigger password reset actions within your authentication system.

Use AI-Powered IT Service Management (ITSM) Tools

These tools, like ServiceNow, can automate password resets using AI. To set this up in ServiceNow:

Step 1: Log in to ServiceNow as an admin.

Step 2: Navigate to “System Definition” > “Business Rules”.

Step 3: Create a new rule that triggers a password reset when certain conditions are met.

Step 4: Test the rule to ensure it works correctly.

Educate users about password security

The best way to prevent password reset requests is to educate users about password security. Users should be taught to create strong passwords, to never share their passwords, and to change their passwords regularly. You can educate users about password security through:

• Email newsletters
• In-person training sessions
• Password security posters
• Password security videos

2. Restart services

Often, when an application crashes, behaves unexpectedly, or can’t be accessed, the simple solution is to restart the service. This happens frequently enough that it can bog down IT in high volume, but low-value tickets. This can be especially common with onpremises line-of-business applications used across an organization. Reducing service restarts to the click of a button — or automating away service restarts — can significantly reduce helpdesk workload.

Here are solutions to automate restart services task and save time and effort for IT teams:

Use Task Scheduler

Task Scheduler is a built-in Windows tool that can be used to automate tasks. You can use Task Scheduler to create a task that will restart a service at a specific time or interval.

To configure Task Scheduler to restart a service, you will need to:

Step 1: Open Task Scheduler by clicking Start > Run and typing taskschd.msc.

Step 2: In the Task Scheduler Library, right-click on the folder for the user or computer that you want to create the task for.

Step 3: Select New Task.

Step 4: In the General tab, enter a name and description for the task.

Step 5: In the Triggers tab, select the When is the task scheduled to start? option and specify the time or interval that you want the task to run.

Step 6: In the Actions tab, select the Start a program option and enter the path to the program or script that you want to run to restart the service.

Step 7: In the Conditions tab, you can specify conditions that must be met before the task will run. For example, you can specify that the task will only run if the service is stopped.

Step 8: In the Settings tab, you can specify additional settings for the task, such as whether the task should run whether the user is logged on or not.

Step 9: Click OK to create the task.

Use the Recovery tab in the Services application

This allows you to configure the actions that Windows will take when a service fails, such as restarting the service, running a program, or rebooting the computer. You can also set the reset interval and the failure count. To use this solution, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Services.msc and double-click on the service that you want to configure.

Step 2: Click on the Recovery tab and select the actions that you want for the first, second, and subsequent failures. For example, you can choose Restart the Service for all failures.

Step 3: Optionally, you can also specify a command to run when a service fails, such as sending an email notification or logging the event.

Step 4: Click OK to save the changes.

Use the SC command to configure the service failure actions from the command line

This allows you to use the same options as in previous solution, but without using the graphical interface. To use this solution, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open a command prompt as an administrator and type the following command: SC failure <service name> reset= <reset interval> actions= <action list>

Step 2: Replace <service name> with the name of the service that you want to configure, <reset interval> with the number of seconds after which to reset the failure count, and <action list> with a slash-separated list of actions and their delay times in milliseconds. For example, you can use restart/30000/restart/60000/run/60000 to restart the service after 30 seconds for the first failure, after 60 seconds for the second failure, and run a command after 60 seconds for subsequent failures.

Step 3: Optionally, you can also specify a command to run when a service fails by adding another parameter: SC failure <service name> command= “<command>”. Replace <command> with the path and name of the executable or script that you want to run.

Step 4: Press Enter to execute the command.

Use PowerShell to restart a service using a scheduled task

This allows you to use a single command to restart a service at a specific time interval or trigger. To use this solution, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Task Scheduler and click on Create Task in the Actions pane.

Step 2: On the General tab, give your task a name and description, and select Run whether user is logged on or not.

Step 3: On the Triggers tab, click on New and select the schedule or event that you want to trigger your task. For example, you can choose Daily and set a start time.

Step 4: On the Actions tab, click on New and select Start a program as the action type. In the Program/script box, type powershell.exe. In the Add arguments box, type -command “Restart-Service <service name>”. Replace <service name> with the name of the service that you want to restart.

Step 5: Click OK to save your task.

Use NET commands in a batch file and run it as a scheduled task

This allows you to use two commands to stop and start a service in a batch file, and then run it at a specific time interval or trigger. To use this solution, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Notepad and type the following commands: NET stop <service name> and NET start <service name>. Replace <service name> with the name of the service that you want to restart.

Step 2: Save your file as a .bat file in a location of your choice.

Step 3: Follow steps 1-3 from previous olution to create a scheduled task that runs your batch file as an action.

Use third-party software that monitors and restarts services automatically

There are many third-party automation tools available that can be used to automate restart services tasks. These tools typically offer more features and flexibility than Task Scheduler, but they may also be more expensive.

This allows you to use a graphical interface or a web console to configure various options for managing services, such as dependencies, alerts, reports, logs, etc. Some examples of such software are Service Protector, Service Hawk, or ServiceKeeper. To use this solution, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and install one of the software products from their websites.

Step 2: Launch the software and add the service that you want to monitor and restart.

Step 3: Configure the settings for your service according to your preferences and needs.

Step 4: Save your changes and start monitoring your service.

Use a monitoring tool, such as Nagios

Detect and alert you when a service is down or malfunctioning, and can also execute commands or scripts to restart the service automatically. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Install and run Nagios on a server that can communicate with the server that runs the service you want to restart.

Step 2: Configure Nagios to monitor the status and performance of the service, using plugins or custom scripts.

Step 3: Configure Nagios to send notifications and alerts when the service is down or degraded, using email, SMS, or other methods.

Step 4: Configure Nagios to execute commands or scripts to restart the service when an alert is triggered, using event handlers or custom scripts.

Step 5: Test and verify that Nagios is working properly and can restart the service as expected.

Use a cloud-based automation service, such as AWS Lambda

There are also a number of cloud-based automation services that can be used to automate restart services tasks. These services are typically more expensive than third-party automation tools, but they offer the advantage of being hosted in the cloud, which makes them more scalable and reliable.

Use a cloud-based service, such as AWS Lambda, that can run code or scripts in response to events or triggers, such as time, API calls, or other services. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Create an AWS account and access the AWS Lambda console.

Step 2: Create a new Lambda function and give it a name and description.

Step 3: Choose a runtime environment and write or upload your code or script that can restart the service, using any supported programming language.

Step 4: Configure the function’s settings, such as memory, timeout, role, etc.

Step 5: Configure the function’s triggers, such as CloudWatch Events, API Gateway, SNS, etc., that can invoke the function at specified times or events.

Step 6: Test and deploy the function.

Use a web-based automation platform, such as Zapier

Connect and integrate various apps and services, and can perform actions based on rules or workflows. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Create a Zapier account and access the Zapier dashboard.

Step 2: Create a new Zap and give it a name and description.

Step 3: Choose a trigger app or service that can start the workflow, such as Google Calendar, Gmail, Slack, etc., and configure its settings and options.

Step 4: Choose an action app or service that can perform the task of restarting the service, such as SSH, PowerShell, Webhooks, etc., and configure its settings and options.

Step 5: Test and turn on the Zap.

Use a configuration management tool, such as Ansible

Automate and orchestrate various tasks and operations on multiple servers or devices. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Install and run Ansible on a control node that can communicate with the server that runs the service you want to restart.

Step 2: Create an inventory file that lists the hosts or groups of hosts that you want to manage with Ansible.

Step 3: Create a playbook file that defines the tasks or roles that you want to execute on the hosts, such as restarting the service using modules or commands.

Step 4: Run the playbook file using ansible-playbook command on the control node.

Docker and Container Orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes)

Utilizing containers and orchestration platforms like Kubernetes can help automate service restarts and ensure high availability.

Step 1: Containerize Services: Package the services into Docker containers.

Step 2: Create Docker Compose/Kubernetes Configuration: Define the service containers, their dependencies, and restart policies.

Step 3: Deploy Services: Deploy the services using Docker Compose or Kubernetes.

Step 4: Health Checks: Configure health checks to monitor the services and trigger restarts if needed.

Step 5: Auto-Recovery: Leverage orchestration tools to automatically recover failed containers.

Use a scripting language

You can also use a scripting language, such as PowerShell or Python, to automate restart services tasks. Scripting languages offer the most flexibility and control, but they also require the most technical expertise.

To automate restart services tasks using a scripting language, you will need to write a script that will start the service, stop the service, and then start the service again.

Use Group Policy

Use Group Policy to configure service recovery options that specify what actions to take when a service fails or stops unexpectedly. This way, you can automatically restart the service after a certain amount of time or trigger another action, such as running a program or sending an email notification. To configure this solution, you need to open the Group Policy Management Console and edit the policy that applies to the computers where the service is running. Then, you need to navigate to Computer Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Security Settings > System Services and select the service that you want to configure. In the properties window, you need to click on the Recovery tab and choose the actions and settings for each failure scenario.

Use Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)

Use Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) to create event filters and consumers that monitor the status of a service and execute a script or command when a change occurs. This way, you can react to any event that affects the service, such as start, stop, pause, resume, or failure. To configure this solution, you need to use the WMI Tools or the WMI cmdlets in PowerShell to create an event filter that queries the Win32_Service class for the properties and values that indicate the status of the service. Then, you need to create an event consumer that specifies what action to take when the filter is triggered, such as running a script or command that restarts the service. Finally, you need to create a binding that associates the filter and the consumer.

Use Windows Service Control Manager (SCM)

Use Windows Service Control Manager (SCM) to create dependencies between services that require each other to function properly. This way, you can ensure that when one service starts or stops, the dependent service also starts or stops accordingly. To configure this solution, you need to use the Services GUI or the SC command-line tool to modify the registry value of the DependOnService entry under the service key in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services. You need to add or remove the names of the services that depend on the service that you want to configure.

Use third-party tools or applications

Use third-party tools or applications that provide more features and flexibility for managing and automating service restart tasks. For example, you can use Service Protector from Core Technologies Consulting, which is a software that monitors and restarts any Windows service if it crashes, hangs, or stops responding. To configure this solution, you need to install and run the Service Protector application and add the service that you want to protect and restart. Then, you need to adjust the settings and options according to your preferences and requirements.

Use a combination of the above methods

You can also use a combination of the above methods to automate restart services tasks. For example, you could use Task Scheduler to run a script that restarts a service.

The best solution for automating restart services tasks will depend on the specific needs of your organization. If you have a small number of services to restart, then Task Scheduler may be sufficient. If you have a large number of services to restart or if you need more flexibility, then you may want to consider using a third-party automation tool or a cloud-based automation service.

3. Reboot endpoints

Regular reboots are one of the easiest steps end-users can take to minimize IT issues, improve device efficiency, and ensure device health. Convincing end-users of the value of regular reboots by itself is a challenge. Actually getting end-users to regularly reboot their device is almost impossible. Avoid relying on end users or taking time to manually restart devices with script automations.

Here are possible solutions for how to automate reboot endpoints task in order to save time and effort of IT team. Please note that these solutions may have different advantages and disadvantages depending on your specific needs and preferences.

Use Microsoft Endpoint Manager to schedule a reboot via custom OMA-URI setting

This solution allows you to configure a one-time or recurring reboot for your Windows 10 devices using the Reboot CSP. You can specify the exact date and time for the reboot in UTC format and assign the setting to the device or user group of your choice. The device will display a pop-up notification at the scheduled time and will reboot after 60 seconds. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to endpoint.microsoft.com and sign in with your credentials.

Step 2: Navigate to Device configuration -> Profiles -> Create profile > Add.

Step 3: Enter a name and description for the profile and select Windows 10 and later as the platform and Custom as the profile type.

Step 4: Click Settings -> Add and enter the following information:

• Name: Reboot Schedule
• Description: Schedule a reboot for the device
• OMA-URI: ./Vendor/MSFT/Reboot/Schedule/Single (for one-time reboot) or ./Vendor/MSFT/Reboot/Schedule/Daily (for recurring reboot)
• Data type: String
• Value: The date and time for the reboot in ISO8601 format, such as 2023-08-09T17:00:00Z

Step 5: Click OK and then Next.

Step 6: Assign the profile to the device or user group that you want to reboot and click Next.

Step 7: Review the settings and click Create.

Use PowerShell script and scheduled task to trigger a reboot

This solution allows you to create a PowerShell script that can perform various checks and actions before initiating a reboot, such as verifying the device status, sending an email notification, or displaying a custom message. You can then use the Task Scheduler on the device or the Intune Management Extension to create a scheduled task that runs the script at a specified time or interval. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a PowerShell script that contains the logic for rebooting the device, such as this example:

  # Check if device is online
  $ping = Test-Connection -ComputerName $env:COMPUTERNAME -Count 1 -Quiet
  if ($ping) {
      # Send an email notification
      $mailParams = @{
          To = "[email protected]"
          From = "[email protected]"
          Subject = "Rebooting device $env:COMPUTERNAME"
          Body = "This device will reboot in 5 minutes."
          SmtpServer = "smtp.example.com"
      }
      Send-MailMessage @mailParams
      # Display a custom message
      $message = "This device will reboot in 5 minutes. Please save your work and close any applications."
      $wshell = New-Object -ComObject Wscript.Shell
      $wshell.Popup($message,300,"Reboot Notification",0x0)
      # Wait for 5 minutes
      Start-Sleep -Seconds 300
      # Initiate a reboot
      Restart-Computer -Force
  }

Step 2: Save the script as a .ps1 file and copy it to a location on the device or upload it to a cloud storage service.

Step 3: Create a scheduled task that runs the script at a desired time or interval, either by using the Task Scheduler GUI on the device or by using the Intune Management Extension to deploy the task via Intune.

Use a cloud-based service, such as AWS Systems Manager

Allows you to manage and automate various tasks and operations on multiple endpoints in the cloud or on-premises. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Create an AWS account and access the AWS Systems Manager console.

Step 2: Install and configure the AWS Systems Manager Agent on the endpoints that you want to reboot, and register them with your AWS account.

Step 3: Create a document or a run command in AWS Systems Manager that defines the reboot action, using the AWS-RunPowerShellScript document or other methods.

Step 4: Execute the document or the run command on the endpoints, either manually or automatically.

Use Action1 cloud-based platform to restart endpoints remotely

This solution allows you to use a web-based interface to manage and monitor your endpoints from anywhere. You can select one or more endpoints from your inventory and initiate a remote reboot with a single click. You can also schedule a recurring reboot for your endpoints using the built-in scheduler. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Sign up for a free trial of Action1 at action1.com and download the Action1 agent on your endpoints.

Step 2: Log in to your Action1 account and navigate to the Endpoints page.

Step 3: Locate one or several endpoints you want to restart and select the Actions icon next to the endpoint name and specify Reboot. Or simply select the Reboot button on top of the endpoints list.

Step 4: To schedule a recurring reboot, select Schedule from the Actions menu and configure the frequency, start date, end date, and time zone for the reboot.

Use PDQ Deploy software to deploy a reboot package to your endpoints

This solution allows you to use a third-party software that can deploy various packages, scripts, commands, or files to your endpoints. You can create a custom package that contains a reboot command and deploy it to your target endpoints at a specified time or interval. You can also use the built-in reboot package that comes with the software. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and install PDQ Deploy on your computer and configure the required settings, such as credentials, targets, and preferences.

Step 2: Create a new package or use the existing reboot package and edit the properties, such as name, description, conditions, and options.

Step 3: Add a reboot step to the package and specify the parameters, such as timeout, message, and force close applications.

Step 4: Save the package and deploy it to your target endpoints manually or schedule it to run at a desired time or interval.

Use Group Policy to configure a reboot policy for your endpoints

This solution allows you to use the built-in Group Policy feature of Windows to apply a reboot policy to your endpoints that are joined to a domain. You can create a new policy or edit an existing policy that contains a setting that forces a reboot at a specified time or interval. You can also configure other settings, such as displaying a warning message, allowing users to postpone the reboot, or logging the reboot events. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Log in to your domain controller and open the Group Policy Management Console.

Step 2: Create a new policy or edit an existing policy that applies to your target endpoints and link it to the appropriate organizational unit.

Step 3: Navigate to Computer Configuration -> Policies -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update.

Step 4: Enable the setting Always automatically restart at the scheduled time and specify the time for the reboot in minutes after installing updates.

Step 5: Optionally, configure other settings, such as No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled automatic updates installations, Re-prompt for restart with scheduled installations, or Delay Restart for scheduled installations.

Use a network management tool, such as SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor

Allows you to monitor and troubleshoot various issues and events on multiple endpoints in a network. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Install and run SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor on a server that can communicate with the endpoints that you want to reboot.

Step 2: Add and discover the endpoints in SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, and configure their properties and credentials.

Step 3: Create an alert in SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor that triggers when a certain condition or threshold is met, such as high CPU usage, low disk space, etc.

Step 4: Configure an action for the alert that performs the reboot action, using the Reboot Server action or other methods.

Use a remote management tool, such as TeamViewer

Allows you to access and control multiple endpoints from a central console. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Install and run TeamViewer on the endpoints that you want to reboot, and assign them to your TeamViewer account.

Step 2: Install and run TeamViewer on the device that you want to use as the central console, and log in to your TeamViewer account.

Step 3: On the console, select the endpoints that you want to reboot, and click on the Remote Reboot option.

Step 4: Confirm the reboot action, and wait for the endpoints to restart and reconnect.

Endpoint Management Platforms (e.g., SCCM, Intune)

Utilizing endpoint management platforms allows you to centrally schedule and automate reboot tasks across a fleet of devices.

Step 1: Configure Endpoint Management Platform: Set up platforms like System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) or Microsoft Intune.

Step 2: Create Reboot Task: Create a deployment task to trigger a reboot on targeted endpoints.

Step 3: Schedule Task: Configure the task to run on a specific schedule or event trigger.

Step 4: Target Devices: Select the devices or device groups for the reboot task.

Step 5: Monitoring: Monitor the task execution and verify successful reboots.

Custom API and Script Integration

This approach involves developing a custom API and script integration to initiate reboot tasks.

Step 1: Develop API: Create a custom API that accepts requests to reboot specific endpoints.

Step 2: Authentication: Implement secure authentication mechanisms for API access.

Step 3: Develop Script: Create a script that communicates with the API to trigger the reboot tasks.

Step 4: Script Execution: Run the script from a central machine or automated scheduler.

Step 5: Logging and Notifications: Implement logging and notifications to track successful reboots and any failures.

Using Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)

WMI is a framework that provides access to information and actions on Windows systems, including rebooting endpoints. To use this solution, you need to create a WMI script or query that invokes the Win32_OperatingSystem class and its methods, such as Reboot or Shutdown. You also need to run the script or query on the endpoints or a central server using tools such as WMIC or PowerShell.

Using Remote Desktop Services (RDS)

RDS is a service that allows you to access and control remote computers, including rebooting endpoints. To use this solution, you need to enable RDS on the endpoints and configure the permissions and settings for remote access. You also need to use tools such as Remote Desktop Connection or Remote Desktop Manager to connect to the endpoints and reboot them manually or using scripts.

Using third-party software

There are many third-party software products that can help you automate reboot endpoints task, such as PDQ Deploy, SolarWinds Patch Manager, or ManageEngine Desktop Central. To use this solution, you need to install and configure the software on the endpoints or a central server and create a deployment package or policy that contains the reboot action. You also need to schedule or execute the deployment using the software interface or command line.

Choose the solution that aligns with your organization’s infrastructure, tools, and security requirements. Always test automation processes in a controlled environment before implementing them on production systems to ensure reliability and avoid unintended disruptions.

4. Protect business data

Backup products can be overly complex, difficult to roll out, and unreliable. The cost and complexity can make it difficult to provide adequate data protection to every end user. Solution includes an integrated cloud-based backup software that automatically deploys to solution-managed endpoints. File backup and restore is fast and easy. Through our self-service IT portal, users can restore their own files, saving your team time.

Here are possible solutions for how to automate business data protection task in order to save time and effort of IT team. Please note that these solutions may have different advantages and disadvantages depending on your specific needs and preferences.

Use Microsoft Azure Backup to backup and restore your data in the cloud

This solution allows you to use a cloud-based service that can protect your data from accidental deletion, corruption, ransomware, or disasters. You can backup your data from various sources, such as Azure VMs, SQL Server, SAP HANA, Azure Files, and more. You can also restore your data to the same or different location as needed. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a Recovery Services vault in the Azure portal or using PowerShell or CLI commands.

Step 2: Choose the backup goal for your vault, such as where your workload is running and what you want to backup.

Step 3: Configure the backup policy for your vault, such as the frequency, retention, and schedule of the backups.

Step 4: Enable the backup protection for your data source by selecting it from the vault dashboard and following the instructions.

Step 5: Monitor and manage your backups from the vault dashboard or using PowerShell or CLI commands.

Step 6: To restore your data, select the backup item from the vault dashboard and click on Restore VM or Restore Files. You can also use PowerShell or CLI commands to perform the restore operation.

Use Microsoft Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies to prevent unauthorized access or sharing of your sensitive data

This solution allows you to use a feature of Microsoft Power Platform that can classify and protect your data based on predefined or custom rules. You can create DLP policies that define which connectors (such as SharePoint, Outlook, Twitter, etc.) can access your business data and which ones are blocked or restricted. You can also apply DLP policies to specific environments, apps, or flows in your organization. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Sign in to the Power Platform admin center with your credentials.

Step 2: Navigate to Data policies -> Data loss prevention.

Step 3: Click on New policy to create a new DLP policy or select an existing policy to edit it.

Step 4: Enter a name and description for the policy and choose the scope of the policy (such as all environments, specific environments, or tenant level).

Step 5: Choose the connectors you want to include in the policy and assign them to either the Business data only group or the No business data allowed group based on your requirements.

Step 6: Review and save the policy. It may take up to an hour for the policy to take effect.

Use Microsoft Azure Information Protection (AIP) to classify and label your data according to its sensitivity

This solution allows you to use a cloud-based service that can help you identify and protect your data based on its content and context. You can create AIP labels that define how your data should be handled, such as whether it should be encrypted, watermarked, tracked, or expired. You can also apply AIP labels to your data manually or automatically using policies and conditions. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Sign up for an Azure subscription or use an existing one.

Step 2: Activate the AIP service from the Azure portal or using PowerShell commands.

Step 3: Create and configure AIP labels from the Azure portal or using PowerShell commands. You can use the default labels or create custom ones based on your needs.

Step 4: Publish the AIP labels to a policy and assign it to users or groups in your organization.

Step 5: Install the AIP client on your devices and use it to apply AIP labels to your files and emails manually or automatically.

Use Microsoft Azure Sentinel to monitor and respond to security threats in your data environment

This solution allows you to use a cloud-native security information and event management (SIEM) service that can collect and analyze data from various sources, such as Azure services, Microsoft 365, devices, applications, and more. You can use Azure Sentinel to detect and investigate security incidents, create alerts and playbooks, automate responses, and generate reports. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a Log Analytics workspace in the Azure portal or using PowerShell or CLI commands.

Step 2: Enable Azure Sentinel from the Azure portal and connect it to your Log Analytics workspace.

Step 3: Connect your data sources to Azure Sentinel from the Data connectors page in the Azure portal. You can choose from built-in connectors or create custom ones using REST API or Syslog.

Step 4: Configure the analytics rules for Azure Sentinel from the Analytics page in the Azure portal. You can use built-in rules or create custom ones using Kusto Query Language (KQL).

Step 5: Create incidents and alerts for Azure Sentinel from the Incidents page in the Azure portal. You can also use Logic Apps to create playbooks that automate responses to incidents.

Step 6: Use workbooks and dashboards to visualize and monitor your data and security posture from the Azure portal.

Use Microsoft Power Automate to create workflows that automate data protection tasks

This solution allows you to use a low-code platform that can create and run flows that connect your data sources and perform actions based on triggers and conditions. You can use Power Automate to automate tasks such as backing up data, deleting data, applying labels, sending notifications, and more. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Sign in to Power Automate with your credentials.

Step 2: Click on Create and choose the type of flow you want to create, such as automated, instant, scheduled, desktop, or business process.

Step 3: Choose a trigger for your flow, such as a button, a schedule, an event, or a webhook.

Step 4: Add actions to your flow, such as copying data, deleting data, applying labels, sending emails, or calling APIs.

Step 5: Add conditions or loops to your flow if needed, such as if-then-else statements or do-until loops.

Step 6: Save and test your flow and monitor its performance from the Power Automate portal.

Use a backup and recovery tool, such as Acronis Cyber Backup

Allows you to create and restore backups of your business data, applications, and systems. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Download and install Acronis Cyber Backup on the devices that you want to protect, and activate the license if required.

Step 2: Run Acronis Cyber Backup and select the data, applications, and systems that you want to backup, and choose the destination, such as a local drive, a network share, or a cloud storage.

Step 3: Configure the backup settings, such as the schedule, the encryption, the retention, etc.

Step 4: Click on the Backup Now button to start the backup process, and monitor the progress and status on the Acronis Cyber Backup console.

Step 5: Optionally, you can also use Acronis Cyber Backup to restore your backups, test your backups, manage your backups, etc.

Use a cloud storage service, such as Google Drive

Allows you to sync and store your business data in the cloud, and access them from any device. Services like AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage, or Microsoft Azure provide automated backup solutions. You can schedule backups at regular intervals, ensuring your data is always protected. Configuration usually involves setting up an account, choosing your backup schedule, and selecting the data you want to back up.

To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Create a Google account and access the Google Drive website or app.

Step 2: Download and install Google Drive on the devices that you want to protect, and sign in with your account.

Step 3: Select the files and folders that you want to sync and store in Google Drive, and drag and drop them to the Google Drive folder on your devices.

Step 4: Wait for the files and folders to be uploaded to Google Drive, and check the status and progress on the Google Drive website or app.

Step 5: Optionally, you can also use Google Drive to share your files and folders with others, access them from any device, restore previous versions, etc.

Use a encryption tool, such as VeraCrypt

Allows you to encrypt your business data and protect them from unauthorized access. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Download and install VeraCrypt on the devices that you want to protect, and run it as administrator.

Step 2: Create a new volume in VeraCrypt, which is a file that acts as a virtual encrypted disk. Choose the type, size, location, password, algorithm, etc. of the volume.

Step 3: Mount the volume in VeraCrypt using your password, and assign it a drive letter.

Step 4: Copy or move your files and folders that you want to encrypt to the mounted volume. They will be automatically encrypted on-the-fly.

Step 5: Dismount the volume in VeraCrypt when you are done. You can only access your encrypted files and folders by mounting the volume again with your password.

Use a data loss prevention tool, such as McAfee Data Loss Prevention Endpoint (DLP Endpoint)

Allows you to monitor and control how your business data is used and transferred by your employees or devices. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Install and run McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) on a server that can communicate with the devices that you want to protect.

Step 2: Install McAfee DLP Endpoint on the devices that you want to protect using ePO or other methods.

Step 3: Create and apply DLP policies in ePO that define what types of data are sensitive or confidential, what actions are allowed or blocked for those data types (such as copy, print, email), what users or groups are subject to those policies etc.

Step 4: Monitor and enforce the DLP policies on the devices using ePO or McAfee DLP Monitor. You can also generate reports and alerts on any data loss incidents or violations.

Use a data governance tool, such as Collibra Data Governance Center (DGC)

Allows you to define and manage the quality, security, privacy, and compliance of your business data. Use a data governance software that can help you manage the lifecycle, quality, and compliance of your data. You can create workflows and processes for how your data is collected, stored, used, shared, and disposed of. You can also track the changes and activities on your data, as well as generate reports and audits for regulatory purposes. Some examples of data governance software are Collibra Data Governance Center, Informatica Data Governance, and Alation Data Catalog.

To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Install and run Collibra DGC on a server that can communicate with your data sources (such as databases or files).

Step 2: Connect Collibra DGC with your data sources using connectors or APIs. You can also import metadata from other tools or sources.

Step 3: Create a data governance framework in Collibra DGC that specifies the roles (such as data owners or stewards), processes (such as data quality checks or approvals), rules (such as policies or standards), assets (such as domains or terms), etc. for your business data.

Step 4: Implement and execute the data governance framework in Collibra DGC using workflows or integrations. You can also monitor and measure the performance and outcomes of your data governance activities.

Automated Backup Solutions

Implementing automated backup solutions ensures regular data backups are performed without manual intervention.

Step 1: Select Backup Solution: Choose a reliable backup software or cloud backup service.

Step 2: Configuration: Configure backup schedules, retention policies, and target storage locations.

Step 3: Data Selection: Specify the critical business data to be backed up.

Step 4: Automate Backup: Schedule backups to run automatically according to your backup plan.

Step 5: Monitoring and Notifications: Set up alerts for backup failures and regularly review backup reports.

Continuous Data Protection (CDP)

CDP solutions provide real-time or near-real-time backup capabilities, ensuring minimal data loss. Implement a CDP solution like Datto, Unitrends, or Zerto. Configure the CDP software to continuously backup business data in real-time or at frequent intervals. Set up replication or mirroring to ensure data redundancy across multiple locations. Monitor the CDP status through the management console and receive alerts for any data protection issues.

Step 1: Choose CDP Solution: Select a CDP software or service compatible with your infrastructure.

Step 2: Integration: Integrate the CDP solution with your data sources (file servers, databases, etc.).

Step 3: Configure Policies: Set up policies to continuously replicate changes to a secondary location.

Step 4: Data Recovery: Test and familiarize yourself with the recovery process.

Step 5: Monitoring: Monitor the CDP solution for any issues and ensure data synchronization.

Data Encryption and Tokenization

Automated data encryption and tokenization protect sensitive data at rest and during transmission.

Step 1: Identify Sensitive Data: Identify and classify sensitive data like customer information or financial records.

Step 2: Encryption and Tokenization: Implement automated encryption and tokenization mechanisms for sensitive data.

Step 3: Access Controls: Define access controls and key management policies for decryption.

Step 4: Integration: Integrate encryption and tokenization into applications, databases, and storage systems.

Step 5: Regular Audits: Periodically audit and validate the effectiveness of encryption and tokenization methods.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Solutions

DLP solutions monitor and prevent unauthorized data transfers, reducing the risk of data breaches. DLP software like Symantec, McAfee, or Digital Guardian can automatically monitor and protect data in use, in motion, and at rest. Configuration involves installing the software, defining your company’s data protection policy (what data to protect, what constitutes a violation), and setting up alerts for any violations.

Step 1: Select DLP Solution: Choose a DLP software that fits your organization’s needs.

Step 2: Data Discovery: Scan your network and endpoints to identify sensitive data locations.

Step 3: Policy Creation: Create automated policies to detect and prevent data leaks or unauthorized transfers.

Step 4: Real-time Monitoring: Set up real-time monitoring to detect and block sensitive data flows.

Step 5: Incident Handling: Configure automated responses for detected incidents, such as alert notifications.

Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS)

DRaaS solutions automate data protection and disaster recovery processes, ensuring business continuity.

Step 1: Select DRaaS Provider: Choose a reputable DRaaS provider with reliable infrastructure.

Step 2: Initial Setup: Define your recovery point objectives (RPO) and recovery time objectives (RTO).

Step 3: Data Replication: Set up automated data replication to a secondary site or cloud.

Step 4: Testing and Validation: Regularly test and validate the DRaaS solution’s recovery process.

Step 5: Failover and Failback: Automate failover and failback processes to ensure smooth transitions.

Select the solution that aligns with your business needs, compliance requirements, and budget. Always prioritize security and test any automated processes thoroughly in a controlled environment before deploying them in production to ensure they work as expected.

Automated Patch Management

Tools like ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus or Automox can automatically keep your systems up-to-date, reducing the risk of data breaches due to software vulnerabilities. Configuration involves installing the software, setting up your update policy (which updates to install, when to install them), and monitoring the update process.

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)

IDS like Snort or Suricata can automatically detect and alert you to any potential data breaches. Configuration involves installing the software, setting up your detection rules (what constitutes an intrusion), and setting up alerts for any detected intrusions.

Encryption Tools

Tools like BitLocker or VeraCrypt can automatically encrypt your data, making it unreadable to unauthorized users. Configuration involves installing the software, choosing what data to encrypt, and managing your encryption keys.

Use a data classification software

Automatically label your data according to its level of sensitivity and confidentiality. You can create custom categories and tags for your data, such as public, internal, confidential, or secret. This will help you apply the appropriate security measures and policies for each type of data. Some examples of data classification software are Titus Classification Suite, Boldon James Classifier, and TITUS Illuminate.

5. Free up disk space

Drives on workstations, laptops, and servers all occasionally fill up. Depending on the use of the endpoint, a full drive can have anywhere from no impact to disastrous outcomes for an organization. Either way, you’re likely to get a ticket, but only after it’s too late.

Through proactive monitoring and smart use of scripts, solution enables IT teams to automatically remediate full disks to stave off disaster until a technician can find a permeant solution.

Here are possible solutions for how to automate free up disk space task in order to save time and effort of IT team. Please note that these solutions may have different advantages and disadvantages depending on your specific needs and preferences.

Use Storage Sense feature in Windows 10 or Windows 11

This solution allows you to use a built-in feature of Windows that can automatically delete temporary files, old downloads, system files, and items in your Recycle Bin when your drive is running low on space. You can also configure Storage Sense to run at a certain frequency or when your drive reaches a certain percentage of fullness. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to Settings -> System -> Storage and turn on Storage Sense.

Step 2: Click on Configure Storage Sense or run it now to customize the settings.

Step 3: Choose how often you want Storage Sense to run: every day, every week, every month, or when your drive is nearly full.

Step 4: Choose how long you want to keep files in your Recycle Bin and Downloads folder before deleting them: 1 day, 14 days, 30 days, or 60 days.

Step 5: Choose whether you want to delete previous versions of Windows and files synced to OneDrive that are not available locally.

Step 6: Click on Clean now to run Storage Sense immediately.

Use Disk Cleanup tool with command-line switches and Task Scheduler

This solution allows you to use a legacy tool that has been part of Windows for a long time, and it allows you to reclaim hard drive space by deleting various types of files, such as temporary files, previous Windows installations, Windows updates, and more. You can also use command-line switches to create a registry key that stores the settings you choose for the tool, and then use Task Scheduler to run the tool automatically at a specified time or interval. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type the following command: cleanmgr /sageset:11

Step 2: In the Disk Cleanup Settings window that opens, check the items you want the tool to remove automatically from your system from the extensive list.

Step 3: Click OK and then close Command Prompt.

Step 4: Open Task Scheduler and create a new folder under Task Scheduler Library with a descriptive name, such as User Defined Tasks.

Step 5: Right-click the newly created folder and click Create Basic Task.

Step 6: Name the task, add a description, and click Next.

Step 7: Select when you want the task to run and click Next. You can choose from various options, such as daily, weekly, monthly, or when a specific event occurs.

Step 8: Select Start a program as the action and click Next.

Step 9: In the Program/script box, type cleanmgr.exe and in the Add arguments box, type /sagerun:11

Step 10: Click Next and then Finish.

Storage Quotas and Automation (Windows)

Implementing storage quotas on user directories combined with automation scripts can help manage disk space more effectively.

Step 1: Enable Quotas: Enable disk quotas on the file server or storage system where user directories are located.

Step 2: Set Quota Limits: Define quota limits for users or user groups to restrict excessive usage.

Step 3: Develop Monitoring Script: Create a script that periodically checks user directories for exceeded quotas.

Step 4: Automation Script: Develop a script that can send notifications to users or administrators and delete unnecessary files.

Step 5: Automate Script Execution: Use Task Scheduler or a similar tool to run the script on a regular basis.

Use CCleaner software to clean up your system and schedule automatic scans

This solution allows you to use a third-party software that can scan your system for various types of junk files, such as browser cache, cookies, history, temporary files, logs, registry errors, and more. You can also use CCleaner to uninstall unwanted programs, manage startup items, disable browser plugins, wipe free space, and more. You can also schedule CCleaner to run automatically at a specified time or interval. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and install CCleaner from its official website: [CCleaner]

Step 2: Launch CCleaner and click on Custom Clean to select the items you want the software to clean from your system. You can choose from various categories, such as Windows Explorer, System, Applications, Browsers, Registry, and more.

Step 3: Click on Analyze to see how much space you can free up by cleaning the selected items.

Step 4: Click on Run Cleaner to start the cleaning process.

Step 5: Click on Options -> Scheduling and turn on Enable scheduled cleaning.

Step 6: Choose how often you want CCleaner to run: daily, weekly, monthly, or at logon.

Step 7: Choose whether you want CCleaner to run silently in the background or show a notification before cleaning.

Use PowerShell script and scheduled task to delete unwanted files

This solution allows you to create a PowerShell script that can perform various checks and actions before deleting unwanted files from your system, such as verifying the file size, age, name, extension, location, or attributes. You can also use PowerShell commands to send email notifications or display custom messages before or after deleting files. You can then use Task Scheduler or Intune Management Extension to create a scheduled task that runs the script at a specified time or interval. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a PowerShell script that contains the logic for deleting unwanted files from your system, such as this example:

  # Get the files that are older than 30 days and larger than 100 MB in the Downloads folder
  $files = Get-ChildItem -Path "$env:USERPROFILE\Downloads" -Recurse | Where-Object {$_.LastWriteTime -lt (Get-Date).AddDays(-30) -and $_.Length -gt 100MB}
  # Check if there are any files to delete
  if ($files) {
      # Send an email notification
      $mailParams = @{
          To = "[email protected]"
          From = "[email protected]"
          Subject = "Deleting files from $env:COMPUTERNAME"
          Body = "The following files will be deleted from the Downloads folder: $($files.Name -join ', ')"
          SmtpServer = "smtp.example.com"
      }
      Send-MailMessage @mailParams
      # Display a custom message
      $message = "The following files will be deleted from the Downloads folder: $($files.Name -join ', ')"
      $wshell = New-Object -ComObject Wscript.Shell
      $wshell.Popup($message,300,"Delete Notification",0x0)
      # Delete the files
      $files | Remove-Item -Force
  }

Step 2: Save the script as a .ps1 file and copy it to a location on the device or upload it to a cloud storage service.

Step 3: Create a scheduled task that runs the script at a desired time or interval, either by using the Task Scheduler GUI on the device or by using the Intune Management Extension to deploy the task via Intune.

Use WinDirStat software to analyze and delete large files

This solution allows you to use a third-party software that can scan your system and display a graphical representation of your disk usage, showing you which files and folders are taking up the most space. You can also use WinDirStat to delete large files or folders directly from the software interface, or open them in Windows Explorer for further inspection. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and install WinDirStat from its official website: [WinDirStat]

Step 2: Launch WinDirStat and select the drive or folder you want to analyze and click OK.

Step 3: Wait for the software to scan your system and display the results in three panes: a directory list, a treemap, and an extension list.

Step 4: Use the directory list or the treemap to locate large files or folders that you want to delete. You can also use the extension list to filter by file type.

Step 5: Right-click on the file or folder you want to delete and select Delete (permanently) or Move to Recycle Bin. You can also select Explore Here to open the file or folder in Windows Explorer.

Use a cloud storage service, such as Dropbox

4. Using cloud storage services to sync and backup files. This solution involves using a cloud storage service such as OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. to sync and backup files from the local drive to the cloud. This way, the local drive can be freed up by deleting or moving files that are already stored in the cloud. The cloud storage service can also provide access to the files from any device and location, as well as additional security and recovery options. This solution is more convenient and reliable than the previous solutions, but may require some internet bandwidth and storage fees.

Allows you to sync and backup your files and folders from your endpoints to the cloud. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Create a Dropbox account and access the Dropbox website or app.

Step 2: Download and install Dropbox on the endpoints that you want to free up disk space, and sign in with your account.

Step 3: Select the files and folders that you want to sync and backup to Dropbox, and drag and drop them to the Dropbox folder on your endpoints.

Step 4: Wait for the files and folders to be uploaded to Dropbox, and check the status and progress on the Dropbox website or app.

Step 5: Optionally, you can also use Dropbox to share your files and folders with others, access them from any device, restore previous versions, etc.

Use a compression tool, such as WinRAR

Allows you to reduce the size of your files and folders by compressing them into smaller archives. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Download and install WinRAR on the endpoints that you want to free up disk space, and activate the license if required.

Step 2: Select the files and folders that you want to compress, and right-click on them.

Step 3: Choose the option Add to archive from the context menu, and specify the name, format, compression level, password, etc. of the archive.

Step 4: Click on the OK button to create the archive, and wait for the process to finish.

Step 5: Optionally, you can also use WinRAR to extract, test, repair, split, or encrypt your archives.

Use a remote management tool, such as TeamViewer

Allows you to access and control multiple endpoints from a central console. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Install and run TeamViewer on the endpoints that you want to free up disk space, and assign them to your TeamViewer account.

Step 2: Install and run TeamViewer on the device that you want to use as the central console, and log in to your TeamViewer account.

Step 3: On the console, select the endpoints that you want to free up disk space, and click on the File Transfer option.

Step 4: Browse through the files and folders on the endpoints, and delete or move the ones that are not needed or duplicated.

Step 5: Optionally, you can also use TeamViewer to perform other tasks on the endpoints, such as rebooting, updating, scanning, etc.

Use a scripting tool, such as PowerShell

Allows you to write and execute commands or scripts to perform various tasks on multiple endpoints. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Enable PowerShell Remoting on the endpoints that you want to free up disk space, and configure the security and authentication settings.

Step 2: Write a PowerShell script that can free up disk space on the endpoints, using cmdlets or commands such as Get-ChildItem, Remove-Item, Move-Item etc.

Step 3: Run the script from a device that can communicate with the endpoints using Invoke-Command cmdlet or other methods.

Disk Space Management Tools (Linux)

Explanation: For Linux systems, there are various tools that can automate disk space management and cleanup.

Step 1: Choose a Tool: Select a tool like logrotate for managing log files or ncdu for interactive disk space analysis.

Step 2: Installation and Configuration: Install the chosen tool and configure its settings.

Step 3: Automation and Scheduling: Use cron jobs to automate cleanup tasks at regular intervals.

Step 4: Review and Optimization: Monitor the results of the cleanup process and adjust settings as needed.

Automated Deletion of Temporary Files (Windows)

Step 1: Open Notepad and input the following lines: cd C:\Windows\Temp, del /F /S /Q *.*.

Step 2: Save the file as DeleteTemp.bat.

Step 3: Follow the same steps as above to create a task in Task Scheduler, but in the “Program/script” field, input the path to the DeleteTemp.bat file.

Automated Deletion of Old Files (Linux)

Step 1: Use the find command to locate and delete files older than a certain number of days. For example, find /path/to/files* -mtime +5 -exec rm {} \; will delete files older than 5 days.

Step 2: To automate this, add the command to the crontab file to run at desired intervals.

Logrotate (Linux)

Logrotate is a utility for managing log files. It can automatically rotate, compress, and delete logs to free up space.

Step 1: Install logrotate using your package manager (apt-get install logrotate for Debian-based systems).

Step 2: Configure logrotate by creating a configuration file in /etc/logrotate.d/.

Step 3: The configuration file should specify the log files to manage, and the rotation, compression, and deletion rules.

Using network-attached storage (NAS) devices to store files

This solution involves using a NAS device, which is a dedicated hardware that can store and share files over a network. The NAS device can be connected to the local drive and configured to automatically backup or sync files from the local drive to the NAS device. The local drive can then be freed up by deleting or moving files that are already stored in the NAS device. The NAS device can also provide faster access and higher performance than the cloud storage service, as well as more control and customization options. This solution is more advanced and scalable than the previous solutions, but may require some initial investment and maintenance costs.

The best solution for automating free up disk space will vary depending on the specific needs of your organization. However, all of the solutions listed above can be effective in saving time and effort for your IT team.

Here are some additional tips for automating free up disk space:

• Set up a regular schedule for the free up disk space process. This will help to ensure that your endpoints are always running with enough free disk space.
• Identify the files and folders that are taking up the most disk space. This will help you to focus your free up disk space efforts on the most critical areas.
• Use a tool that can identify and delete duplicate files. This is a great way to free up a lot of disk space quickly.
• Consider using a cloud-based storage solution for files that you do not need to access on a regular basis. This can free up a lot of disk space on your local endpoints.
• Educate your users about how to manage their own disk space. This will help to reduce the amount of disk space that is used unnecessarily.

By following these tips, you can automate the free up disk space process and save time and effort for your IT team.

6. Manage antivirus threats

No matter how much security training you provide, someone eventually makes the wrong choice. Bitdefender and Webroot integrations allow you to automatically deploy antivirus to all your endpoints, centrally coordinate scanning preferences, and automate the remediation of threats.

Here are possible solutions for how to automate manage antivirus threats task in order to save time and effort of IT team. Please note that these solutions may have different advantages and disadvantages depending on your specific needs and preferences.

Use Microsoft Defender Antivirus with PowerShell on Windows 10

This solution allows you to use the built-in antivirus software on Windows 10 and control it using PowerShell commands. You can use PowerShell to perform various tasks, such as checking the antivirus status, scanning for threats, updating the virus definitions, configuring the settings, and more. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Start and search for PowerShell. Right-click the top result and select Run as administrator.

Step 2: Type the following command to see the Microsoft Defender Antivirus status and press Enter:

  Get-MpComputerStatus

Step 3: Type the following command to scan your device for threats and press Enter:

  Start-MpScan

Step 4: Type the following command to update the virus definitions and press Enter:

  Update-MpSignature

Step 5: Type the following command to see the available settings for Microsoft Defender Antivirus and press Enter:

  Get-MpPreference

Step 6: Type the following command to change a specific setting for Microsoft Defender Antivirus and press Enter. For example, to disable real-time protection, use this command:

  Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $true

Use Azure Sentinel to automate threat response with playbooks

This solution allows you to use a cloud-based security information and event management (SIEM) service that can collect and analyze data from various sources, such as Azure services, Microsoft 365, devices, applications, and more. You can use Azure Sentinel to create playbooks that automate your incident response and remediate security threats detected by Azure Sentinel. A playbook is a collection of procedures that can be run from Azure Sentinel in response to an incident, an alert, or an entity. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a Log Analytics workspace in the Azure portal or using PowerShell or CLI commands.

Step 2: Enable Azure Sentinel from the Azure portal and connect it to your Log Analytics workspace.

Step 3: Connect your data sources to Azure Sentinel from the Data connectors page in the Azure portal. You can choose from built-in connectors or create custom ones using REST API or Syslog.

Step 4: Configure the analytics rules for Azure Sentinel from the Analytics page in the Azure portal. You can use built-in rules or create custom ones using Kusto Query Language (KQL).

Step 5: Create a playbook from the Playbooks page in the Azure portal. You can use built-in templates or create your own using Logic Apps.

Step 6: Add actions to your playbook, such as sending emails, posting messages, running commands, or calling APIs.

Step 7: Attach your playbook to an automation rule or an analytics rule to run it automatically when an incident or an alert is triggered. You can also run your playbook manually on demand on specific incidents, alerts, or entities.

Use CCleaner software to clean up your system and schedule automatic scans

This solution allows you to use a third-party software that can scan your system for various types of junk files, such as browser cache, cookies, history, temporary files, logs, registry errors, and more. You can also use CCleaner to uninstall unwanted programs, manage startup items, disable browser plugins, wipe free space, and more. You can also schedule CCleaner to run automatically at a specified time or interval. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and install CCleaner from its official website: [CCleaner]

Step 2: Launch CCleaner and click on Custom Clean to select the items you want the software to clean from your system. You can choose from various categories, such as Windows Explorer, System, Applications, Browsers, Registry, and more.

Step 3: Click on Analyze to see how much space you can free up by cleaning the selected items.

Step 4: Click on Run Cleaner to start the cleaning process.

Step 5: Click on Options -> Scheduling and turn on Enable scheduled cleaning.

Step 6: Choose how often you want CCleaner to run: daily, weekly, monthly, or at logon.

Step 7: Choose whether you want CCleaner to run silently in the background or show a notification before cleaning.

Use Malwarebytes software to detect and remove malware from your system

This solution allows you to use a third-party software that can scan your system for various types of malware, such as viruses, spyware, ransomware, rootkits, trojans, worms, and more. You can also use Malwarebytes to protect your system from malicious websites, phishing emails, exploit attacks, and other online threats. You can also schedule Malwarebytes to run automatically at a specified time or interval. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and install Malwarebytes from its official website: [Malwarebytes]

Step 2: Launch Malwarebytes and click on Scan to start a comprehensive scan of your system for malware.

Step 3: Wait for the scan to complete and review the results. You can choose to quarantine or delete the detected threats, or ignore them if they are false positives.

Step 4: Click on Settings -> Security and turn on Real-Time Protection to enable four layers of protection: web protection, exploit protection, malware protection, and ransomware protection.

Step 5: Click on Settings -> Scan Schedule and click on Add to create a new scheduled scan. You can choose the type, frequency, day, time, and options for the scan.

Use Windows Security to manage your antivirus and firewall settings

This solution allows you to use the built-in security app on Windows 10 that can help you protect your system from various threats, such as viruses, ransomware, phishing, network attacks, and more. You can use Windows Security to manage your antivirus and firewall settings, as well as other security features, such as device performance, family options, app and browser control, and more. To use this solution, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Start and search for Windows Security. Click on the top result to open the app.

Step 2: Click on Virus & threat protection to see the status of your antivirus protection. You can also scan your device for threats, review the threat history, manage the ransomware protection settings, and update the virus definitions.

Step 3: Click on Firewall & network protection to see the status of your firewall protection. You can also manage the firewall settings for different network profiles, allow an app through the firewall, or restore the firewall defaults.

Step 4: Click on other categories, such as Device performance & health, Family options, App & browser control, and Device security, to see and manage other security features and settings.

Use an antivirus software, such as Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

Scan, detect, and remove malware from your endpoints. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Download and install Bitdefender Antivirus Plus on the endpoints that you want to protect, and activate the license if required.

Step 2: Run Bitdefender Antivirus Plus and select the scan mode that suits your needs, such as quick scan, full scan, or custom scan.

Step 3: Wait for the scan to complete and review the results. You can choose to quarantine, delete, or ignore the detected threats.

Step 4: Optionally, you can also use Bitdefender Antivirus Plus to enable real-time protection, update virus definitions, schedule scans, etc.

Use a cloud-based service, such as Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Monitor and respond to advanced threats on your endpoints using artificial intelligence and behavioral analysis. Use a cloud-based antivirus service that can scan and protect all the devices connected to the network without requiring manual updates or configuration. This way, the IT team can monitor and manage the antivirus status from a centralized dashboard and receive alerts if any threats are detected or resolved. Some examples of cloud-based antivirus services are Bitdefender GravityZone, Webroot SecureAnywhere, and Kaspersky Endpoint Security Cloud.

To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Create a Microsoft 365 account and access the Microsoft Defender Security Center website or app.

Step 2: Enable Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on the endpoints that you want to protect, and install the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint sensor if needed.

Step 3: Configure the security settings and policies for your endpoints, such as threat protection level, device groups, alert notifications, etc.

Step 4: Monitor and respond to the alerts and incidents on your endpoints using the Microsoft Defender Security Center dashboard. You can choose to isolate, investigate, or remediate the affected endpoints.

Use a network security tool, such as Cisco Umbrella

Protect your endpoints from malicious web traffic and domains using DNS filtering and encryption. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Create a Cisco Umbrella account and access the Cisco Umbrella dashboard.

Step 2: Register your network or device with Cisco Umbrella using a network configuration or a roaming client.

Step 3: Configure the security settings and policies for your network or device, such as content categories, security features, block/allow lists, etc.

Step 4: Monitor and analyze the web activity and security events on your network or device using the Cisco Umbrella reports and logs.

Use a backup and recovery tool, such as Veeam Backup & Replication

Create and restore backups of your data and systems in case of a malware attack or data loss. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Download and install Veeam Backup & Replication on a server that can communicate with the endpoints that you want to protect.

Step 2: Add and discover the endpoints in Veeam Backup & Replication, and configure their properties and credentials.

Step 3: Create a backup job in Veeam Backup & Replication that specifies the source (the endpoints), the destination (a local drive, a network share, or a cloud storage), the schedule (daily, weekly, monthly), etc. of the backup.

Step 4: Run the backup job manually or automatically, and monitor the progress and status on the Veeam Backup & Replication console.

Step 5: Optionally, you can also use Veeam Backup & Replication to restore your backups in case of a malware attack or data loss.

Use an email security tool, such as Mimecast Email Security with Targeted Threat Protection (TTP)

Protect your endpoints from phishing and ransomware attacks via email. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Create a Mimecast account and access the Mimecast Administration Console.

Step 2: Connect your email server or service with Mimecast using SMTP or API.

Step 3: Configure the email security settings and policies for your endpoints, such as spam filtering, attachment scanning, URL rewriting, impersonation protection etc.

Step 4: Monitor and manage the email security events and incidents on your endpoints using the Mimecast Administration Console or Mimecast Security Agent.

Centralized Antivirus Management Console

Implementing a centralized management console allows you to automate the monitoring and response to antivirus threats across all endpoints.

Step 1: Choose Antivirus Solution: Select an antivirus software that offers a centralized management console.

Step 2: Install Management Console: Set up the management console on a dedicated server or virtual machine.

Step 3: Endpoint Deployment: Deploy antivirus agents to all endpoints and link them to the management console.

Step 4: Threat Detection Policies: Configure automated threat detection policies (real-time scanning, scheduled scans, etc.).

Step 5: Automated Responses: Set up automated responses for detected threats, such as quarantine or deletion.

Step 6: Reporting: Utilize built-in reporting tools to monitor threat detection and response.

Threat Intelligence and Automation

Integrating threat intelligence feeds and automation can help proactively identify and respond to emerging threats.

Step 1: Integrate Threat Intelligence: Subscribe to threat intelligence feeds or utilize threat intelligence platforms.

Step 2: Automated Threat Analysis: Develop scripts or tools to automatically analyze threat intelligence data.

Step 3: Correlation and Detection: Automate correlation of threat intelligence data with endpoint events.

Step 4: Automated Response: Set up automated response actions for identified threats based on severity.

Step 5: Regular Updates: Keep threat intelligence feeds and scripts updated for accuracy.

Security Orchestration and Automation Response (SOAR)

SOAR platforms provide comprehensive automation and orchestration of security tasks, including antivirus threat management.

Step 1: Select SOAR Platform: Choose a suitable SOAR platform with antivirus integration capabilities.

Step 2: Endpoint Integration: Integrate the SOAR platform with your antivirus solution.

Step 3: Workflow Creation: Create automated workflows for threat detection, analysis, and response.

Step 4: Orchestration: Set up sequences of automated actions based on threat severity.

Step 5: Notifications and Reporting: Configure alerts and reports for monitoring and auditing purposes.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Integration

Integrating antivirus logs into a SIEM system allows for automated threat detection and response. Use a network monitoring tool or a security information and event management (SIEM) system to collect and analyze antivirus logs and events from all the devices in the network. This way, the IT team can have a comprehensive view of the antivirus activity and performance, and identify any anomalies or issues that need attention. Some examples of network monitoring tools or SIEM systems are SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, Splunk Enterprise Security, and LogRhythm NextGen SIEM Platform.

Step 1: Choose SIEM Solution: Select a SIEM platform that supports integration with antivirus logs.

Step 2: Antivirus Log Integration: Configure antivirus agents to send logs to the SIEM system.

Step 3: Threat Detection Rules: Create automated threat detection rules in the SIEM based on antivirus logs.

Step 4: Automated Incident Response: Develop automated incident response workflows triggered by threat detections.

Step 5: Integration with ITSM: Integrate SIEM alerts with your IT Service Management (ITSM) system for streamlined incident management.

Security Automation Scripts and Playbooks

Developing custom security automation scripts and playbooks allows you to tailor threat management processes to your organization’s specific needs.

Step 1: Identify Common Threats: Identify common antivirus threats and attack patterns in your environment.

Step 2: Develop Automation Scripts: Create scripts to automatically respond to identified threats (e.g., quarantine, alert).

Step 3: Playbook Creation: Develop playbooks that outline step-by-step actions for different threat scenarios.

Step 4: Testing: Thoroughly test scripts and playbooks in a controlled environment.

Step 5: Integration with Orchestration Tools: Integrate scripts and playbooks with automation and orchestration tools for execution.

Use a group policy or a configuration management tool to deploy and enforce antivirus settings across all the devices in the network

This way, the IT team can ensure that all the devices have the same antivirus software, version, license, and configuration, and that they are updated regularly and automatically. Some examples of group policy or configuration management tools are Microsoft Intune, Ansible, and Puppet.

Use a script or a task scheduler to run antivirus scans and updates at regular intervals or at specific times

This way, the IT team can automate the antivirus maintenance and reduce the risk of missing or delaying scans or updates. Some examples of scripting languages or task schedulers are PowerShell, Python, and Windows Task Scheduler.

Use an artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) solution that can detect and prevent new or unknown antivirus threats based on behavioral analysis and threat intelligence

This way, the IT team can enhance the antivirus protection and reduce the reliance on signature-based detection methods that may not catch zero-day or advanced persistent threats. Some examples of AI or ML solutions are CylancePROTECT, SentinelOne, and CrowdStrike Falcon.

Choose the solution that aligns with your organization’s security requirements, infrastructure, and available resources. Always ensure that automated threat response processes are regularly reviewed, tested, and updated to address evolving security challenges.

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Solutions

Implement an EDR solution like CrowdStrike Falcon, Carbon Black, or SentinelOne. Configure the EDR solution to automatically detect and respond to antivirus threats on endpoints. Set up automated threat hunting and remediation workflows based on behavior-based analysis and machine learning algorithms. Enable real-time monitoring and response capabilities to swiftly address potential threats.

Automated Malware Analysis

Utilize automated malware analysis tools like Cuckoo Sandbox, VirusTotal, or FireEye Malware Analysis. Configure the tools to automatically analyze suspicious files or URLs for potential malware threats. Integrate the analysis tools with the antivirus solution to automatically submit suspicious files for analysis. Receive detailed reports and indicators of compromise to aid in threat mitigation.

Patch Management Integration

Integrate the antivirus solution with a patch management system like WSUS (Windows Server Update Services), SCCM (System Center Configuration Manager), or Ivanti Patch. Configure the patch management system to automatically deploy critical operating system and software updates. Ensure that antivirus definitions are up to date before deploying patches to avoid compatibility issues. Schedule regular patch scans and updates to keep endpoints protected against known vulnerabilities.

7. Deploy software

Installing a single piece of software on an end-user’s device is rarely difficult. But installing a whole suite of software for a new employee? Or deploying software to your entire business? Those are both time-intensive processes that can pose significant challenges. Solution allows you to automate both to save your team time. Software deployment automation is a process of delivering software to various environments, such as development, testing, staging, and production, without manual intervention. It can save time and effort of IT team by reducing human errors, improving consistency, speeding up delivery, and enhancing collaboration.

There are many software deployment automation tools available in the market, but here are some examples that I would like to propose:

Bamboo

This is a continuous integration and deployment tool from Atlassian that integrates with other Atlassian products, such as Bitbucket and Jira. Bamboo can help you automate your software delivery pipeline from code to deployment, with features such as workflow automation, built-in disaster recovery, scalability, and integrations with various tools and platforms. To configure Bamboo, you need to install it on a server or use the cloud version. Then, you need to create a project and link it to your source code repository. Next, you need to define a plan that specifies the stages and tasks for your software deployment process. You can also configure triggers, variables, permissions, notifications, and artifacts for your plan. Finally, you can run your plan manually or automatically and monitor the results on the Bamboo dashboard.

This is a continuous integration and deployment tool from Atlassian that integrates with other Atlassian products, such as Bitbucket and Jira. It allows you to create pipelines that automate the build, test, and deployment of your software. To configure Bamboo, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Install Bamboo on your server or use the cloud version.

Step 2: Connect Bamboo to your source code repository, such as Bitbucket or GitHub.

Step 3: Create a project and a plan in Bamboo. A project is a collection of related plans, and a plan is a series of stages and jobs that define your build and deployment process.

Step 4: Configure the stages and jobs in your plan. A stage is a logical grouping of jobs that run in parallel, and a job is a collection of tasks that run sequentially on an agent. You can add tasks to perform various actions, such as compiling code, running tests, packaging artifacts, deploying to environments, etc.

Step 5: Configure the triggers for your plan. You can choose to trigger your plan manually, on a schedule, or when changes are detected in your repository.

Step 6: Configure the permissions for your project and plan. You can grant or restrict access to users or groups based on their roles and responsibilities.

Step 7: Run your plan and monitor the results. You can view the logs, artifacts, test results, and deployment status of each build and deployment in Bamboo.

Octopus Deploy

This is a software deployment tool that can deploy any type of application to any environment, such as Windows, Linux, Azure, AWS, Kubernetes, etc. Octopus Deploy can help you automate and standardize your software deployments across multiple environments, with features such as configuration management, environment management, release management, deployment patterns, and integrations with various tools and platforms. To configure Octopus Deploy, you need to install it on a server or use the cloud version. Then, you need to create a project and link it to your source code repository or build server. Next, you need to define a deployment process that specifies the steps and variables for your software deployment process. You can also configure environments, targets, lifecycles, channels, tenants, permissions, notifications, and runbooks for your project. Finally, you can create a release and deploy it manually or automatically and monitor the results on the Octopus Deploy dashboard.

This is a software deployment tool that can deploy any type of application to any environment. It works with any continuous integration tool, such as Jenkins or TeamCity, and supports various deployment patterns, such as blue-green, canary, or rolling deployments. To configure Octopus Deploy, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Install Octopus Deploy on your server or use the cloud version.

Step 2: Connect Octopus Deploy to your continuous integration tool and your target servers or cloud platforms. You can use built-in integrations or custom scripts to do this.

Step 3: Create a project and a deployment process in Octopus Deploy. A project is a collection of settings and variables that define your application, and a deployment process is a series of steps that define how to deploy your application.

Step 4: Configure the steps in your deployment process. You can add steps to perform various actions, such as deploying packages, running scripts, configuring features, etc. You can also define the conditions and variables for each step based on the environment or the deployment scenario.

Step 5: Configure the lifecycles and channels for your project. A lifecycle is a sequence of environments that your application passes through from development to production, and a channel is a subset of a lifecycle that defines a specific release path for your application.

Step 6: Create a release and deploy it to an environment. You can create a release manually or automatically from your continuous integration tool. You can then deploy it to an environment manually or automatically based on the triggers you set up.

Using a cloud computing service such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, etc.

These services allow you to access various resources and capabilities on demand over the internet. You can use these services to deploy your software without having to manage or maintain any servers or infrastructure. The services will automatically provision, scale, backup, and secure your resources based on your needs and preferences. You can also use these services to leverage advanced features such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics, etc.

• AWS CodeDeploy: AWS CodeDeploy is a service that can be used to automate the deployment of software to Amazon Web Services (AWS) environments. CodeDeploy can deploy software to Amazon EC2 instances, Amazon ECS clusters, and Amazon EKS clusters.
• Azure App Service: Azure App Service is a service that can be used to host web applications and APIs. Azure App Service can automatically deploy new versions of your application to production when you push a new commit to your code repository.
• Google Cloud Deployment Manager: Google Cloud Deployment Manager is a service that can be used to automate the deployment of infrastructure and applications to Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Deployment Manager can deploy software to Google Compute Engine instances, Google Kubernetes Engine clusters, and Google App Engine applications.

AWS CodeDeploy

This is a cloud-based software deployment service from Amazon Web Services that can deploy any type of application to any AWS service or on-premises server. AWS CodeDeploy can help you automate and simplify your software deployments across multiple environments, with features such as blue/green deployments, rolling deployments, in-place deployments, traffic shifting, health checks, rollback support, and integrations with various tools and platforms. To configure AWS CodeDeploy, you need to have an AWS account and access to the AWS Management Console. Then, you need to create an application and a deployment group that specifies the target environment for your software deployment. Next, you need to create a deployment package that contains your application code and a configuration file called appspec.yml that defines the hooks and commands for your software deployment process. You can also configure triggers, alarms, tags, permissions, notifications, and custom scripts for your deployment group. Finally, you can upload your deployment package to an Amazon S3 bucket or a GitHub repository and deploy it manually or automatically and monitor the results on the AWS CodeDeploy console.

This is a cloud-based service that automates the deployment of applications to AWS services, such as EC2 instances, Lambda functions, ECS containers, etc. It works with any continuous integration tool or source code repository, such as GitHub or S3. To configure AWS CodeDeploy, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Create an AWS account and set up the required IAM roles and permissions for CodeDeploy.

Step 2: Create an application and a deployment group in CodeDeploy. An application is a name that identifies your application across all deployments, and a deployment group is a set of instances or resources that you want to deploy your application to.

Step 3: Create an appspec file and a set of scripts for your application. An appspec file is a YAML file that specifies the location of your application files and the commands to run before, during, and after the deployment. The scripts are bash or PowerShell scripts that implement the commands in the appspec file.

Step 4: Upload your application files and appspec file to a source location, such as GitHub or S3.

Step 5: Create a deployment and deploy it to your deployment group. You can create a deployment manually or automatically from your continuous integration tool or source code repository. You can then monitor the progress and status of your deployment in CodeDeploy.

Google Cloud Deployment Manager

This is a cloud-based software deployment service from Google Cloud Platform that can deploy any type of application to any Google Cloud service or on-premises server. Google Cloud Deployment Manager can help you automate and manage your software deployments across multiple environments using declarative templates written in YAML or Python. These templates define the resources and properties for your software deployment process. You can also use Jinja or Python templates to parameterize your templates and create dynamic configurations. To configure Google Cloud Deployment Manager, you need to have a Google Cloud account and access to the Google Cloud Console. Then, you need to create a project and enable the Deployment Manager API for it. Next, you need to create a template file that contains your application code and configuration data. You can also create schema files, imports files, and manifests files for your template file. Finally, you can use the gcloud command-line tool or the Google Cloud Console to deploy your template file manually or automatically and monitor the results on the Google Cloud Deployment Manager console.

This is a cloud-based service that automates the creation and management of Google Cloud resources using declarative templates. It allows you to define the infrastructure and configuration of your application in YAML or Python files and deploy them as a single unit. To configure Google Cloud Deployment Manager, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a Google Cloud account and enable the Deployment Manager API.

Step 2: Create a configuration file and a set of templates for your application. A configuration file is a YAML file that specifies the name, properties, and dependencies of your deployment. The templates are YAML or Python files that define the resources and parameters of your deployment.

Step 3: Upload your configuration file and templates to a source location, such as Google Cloud Storage or GitHub.

Step 4: Create a deployment and deploy it to your Google Cloud project. You can create a deployment manually or automatically using the gcloud command-line tool or the Deployment Manager API. You can then view and manage your deployment in the Google Cloud Console.

Jenkins

This is a free, open-source continuous integration and deployment tool that can deploy any type of application to any environment using pipelines written in Groovy or YAML. Jenkins can help you automate and orchestrate your software delivery pipeline from code to deployment, with features such as distributed builds, plugins, parameters, credentials, artifacts, and integrations with various tools and platforms. To configure Jenkins, you need to install it on a server or use the cloud version. Then, you need to create a job and link it to your source code repository or build server. Next, you need to define a pipeline that specifies the stages and steps for your software deployment process. You can also configure triggers, variables, permissions, notifications, and reports for your job. Finally, you can run your job manually or automatically and monitor the results on the Jenkins dashboard.

This is a free, open-source continuous integration and deployment tool that supports various plugins and integrations to extend its functionality. It allows you to create pipelines that automate the build, test, and deployment of your software. To configure Jenkins, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Install Jenkins on your server or use the cloud version.

Step 2: Install the required plugins and integrations for your application, such as Git, Maven, Docker, AWS, etc.

Step 3: Create a project and a pipeline in Jenkins. A project is a container for your pipeline, and a pipeline is a series of stages and steps that define your build and deployment process.

Step 4: Configure the stages and steps in your pipeline. You can use the graphical editor or the Jenkinsfile to do this. A Jenkinsfile is a text file that contains the code for your pipeline. You can write it in Groovy or declarative syntax.

Step 5: Configure the triggers for your pipeline. You can choose to trigger your pipeline manually, on a schedule, or when changes are detected in your repository.

Step 6: Run your pipeline and monitor the results. You can view the logs, artifacts, test results, and deployment status of each stage and step in Jenkins.

Containerization and Orchestration

Containerization (e.g., Docker) and orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes) allow you to package applications and automate their deployment, scaling, and management. Using a containerization tool such as Docker, Kubernetes, etc. These tools allow you to package your software and its dependencies into isolated and portable units called containers. You can then run these containers on any server or platform that supports the tool. The tools will automatically manage the deployment, scaling, networking, and load balancing of your containers. You can also use these tools to create microservices architectures that improve the modularity and reliability of your software.

Step 1: Containerize your application by creating a Dockerfile that specifies the environment and dependencies.

Step 2: Build a Docker image and push it to a container registry (e.g., Docker Hub, Amazon ECR).

Step 3: Set up a Kubernetes cluster if not already done.

Step 4: Define Kubernetes deployment manifests that reference the Docker image and specify deployment parameters.

Step 5: Apply the deployment manifest to the Kubernetes cluster, which will handle scaling, rolling updates, and self-healing.

Containerize the software using Docker, which provides a lightweight, isolated environment

Docker is a platform that allows you to automate the deployment, scaling, and management of applications within containers.

Step 1: Configuration Steps: Install Docker

Step 2: Write a Dockerfile for your application. Write a Dockerfile that specifies the software’s dependencies and build steps.

Step 3: Build the Docker image using the Docker build command

Step 4: Run the Docker container using the Docker run command.

Step 5: Use Docker Compose or a container orchestration tool like Kubernetes to manage multiple containers and deploy them to production.

Step 6: Automate the build and deployment process using CI/CD pipelines or containerization platforms.

Configuration Management with DevOps Tools

DevOps tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef can automate software deployment by managing configurations across servers. Using a configuration management tool such as Ansible, Chef, Puppet, etc. These tools allow you to define the desired state of your servers and applications using code or scripts. You can then apply these definitions to your servers using agents or SSH connections. The tools will automatically install, update, or remove software packages, files, services, etc. based on the definitions. You can also use these tools to enforce compliance and security policies on your servers.

• Puppet: Puppet is a configuration management tool that can be used to automate the deployment of software. Puppet uses a declarative language to define the desired state of the system, and then Puppet will automatically apply the necessary changes to the system to achieve that state.
• Chef: Chef is another configuration management tool that can be used to automate the deployment of software. Chef uses a Ruby DSL to define the desired state of the system, and then Chef will automatically apply the necessary changes to the system to achieve that state.
• Ansible: Ansible is an agentless configuration management tool that can be used to automate the deployment of software. Ansible uses SSH to connect to the target devices and then executes the necessary commands to deploy the software.

Step 1: Utilize configuration management tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef.

Step 2: Install and configure your chosen configuration management tool.

Step 3: Define configuration scripts or playbooks that describe how to set up and deploy the software. Define the desired state of the infrastructure and software in configuration files.

Step 4: Specify target servers or nodes in your inventory.

Step 5: Automate the deployment process by writing deployment scripts or playbooks.

Step 6: Run the configuration management tool to apply the desired configurations and deploy the software.

Step 7: Use the tools’ built-in features to manage dependencies, handle configurations, and deploy software across multiple servers.

Ansible

Ansible is an open-source software provisioning, configuration management, and application-deployment tool.

Step 1: Configuration Steps: Install Ansible

Step 2: Write a playbook for your application deployment

Step 3: Run the playbook using the ansible-playbook command.

Kubernetes

Kubernetes is an open-source platform designed to automate deploying, scaling, and operating application containers.

Configuration Steps

Step 1: Install Kubernetes

Step 2: Create a deployment configuration file

Step 3: Use kubectl apply command to create the deployment

Step 4: Use kubectl to manage your deployment.

Terraform

Terraform is an open-source infrastructure as code software tool that provides a consistent CLI workflow to manage hundreds of cloud services.

Configuration Steps

Step 1: Install Terraform

Step 2: Write a Terraform configuration file for your infrastructure

Step 3: Initialize the Terraform working directory using the terraform init command

Step 4: Apply the changes required to reach the desired state of the configuration using the terraform apply command.

Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) Pipeline

CI/CD pipelines automate the entire software development lifecycle, from code commit to deployment, ensuring consistent and reliable releases. Using a continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) tool such as Jenkins, GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, etc. These tools allow you to create pipelines that automatically build, test, and deploy your software to different environments based on triggers or schedules. You can configure each pipeline with the steps and commands needed to deploy your software, such as copying files, running scripts, installing dependencies, etc. You can also monitor the status and logs of each pipeline run and rollback if needed.

• Continuous integration (CI): CI is the process of automating the build and test of software. This ensures that software is built in a consistent and reliable manner.
• Continuous delivery (CD): CD is the process of automating the deployment of software. This ensures that software can be deployed quickly and easily to production.

Step 1: Choose a CI/CD tool like Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, CircleCI, or Travis CI.

Step 2: Set up a pipeline configuration file (e.g., Jenkinsfile or .gitlab-ci.yml) in your project’s version control repository.

Step 3: Define stages for building, testing, and deploying the software.

Step 4: Configure triggers to initiate pipeline runs on code commits or pull requests.

Step 5: Integrate the pipeline with your deployment environment, such as Kubernetes, AWS ECS, or a traditional server. Integrate it with your version control system to trigger builds on code changes.

Step 6: Use a configuration file (e.g., YAML) to define the deployment steps and environment.

Step 7: Monitor the pipeline for failures and receive notifications for any issues.

Step 8: Enhance the pipeline as needed.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with Orchestration Tools

Use IaC tools to define and provision infrastructure resources, coupled with orchestration tools to manage the deployment process.

Step 1: Choose an IaC tool like Terraform or AWS CloudFormation to define infrastructure resources. Use infrastructure provisioning tools like Terraform or CloudFormation.

Step 2: Define your infrastructure requirements in code using a declarative language.

Step 3: Script the deployment process using orchestration tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef.

Step 4: Define deployment playbooks or manifests that install dependencies, configure settings, and deploy the software.

Step 5: Integrate with configuration management tools for software installation and configuration.

Step 6: Automate the deployment of servers, networks, and other resources.

Step 7: Trigger deployments manually or through automation scripts.

Step 8: Store deployment scripts and configurations in version control.

Serverless Deployment

Utilize serverless platforms like AWS Lambda or Azure Functions to deploy code without provisioning or managing servers.

Step 1: Leverage serverless architectures such as AWS Lambda or Azure Functions.

Step 2: Package your application code into a deployable package, such as a Node.js module or a Java JAR.

Step 3: Write functions or microservices that perform specific tasks. Create a serverless function definition, specifying the runtime, trigger (e.g., HTTP request, database event), and resources.

Step 4: Package the code and its dependencies as deployable units.

Step 5: Use cloud provider tools or frameworks like Serverless Framework to deploy and manage the functions. Deploy the serverless function using the platform’s CLI or web interface.

Step 6: Configure environment variables and access permissions if necessary.

Using a low-code or no-code platform such as Microsoft Power Apps, Google AppSheet, Zoho Creator, etc.

These platforms allow you to create and deploy software applications using graphical interfaces or drag-and-drop components instead of writing code. You can use these platforms to build web or mobile apps that integrate with various data sources and services. The platforms will automatically handle the deployment, hosting, security, and maintenance of your apps.

Remember, each of these tools requires a good understanding of their workings and the environment they will be used in. Always test in a controlled environment before deploying to production.

8. Setup a new computer

Depending on the level of customization, provisioning new devices can take anywhere from 1 – 5 hours per device. Most of the steps taken in new device setup can be easily automated, saving high growth and large organizations significant time while also increasing standardization.

Here are solutions to automate setup new computer task and save time and effort for IT teams:

System Imaging and Deployment

This is a great way to automate the entire process of setting up a new computer, from installing the operating system to installing the software. There are many different software deployment tools available, such as Puppet, Chef, and Ansible.

To use a software deployment tool, you will need to first install the tool on a central server. You will then need to create a configuration file for the tool that defines the target devices and the software that you want to deploy. Once the configuration file is created, you can use the tool to deploy the software to the target devices.

Create a standardized system image that includes the operating system, applications, and configurations. Deploy this image to new computers using imaging tools.

Step 1: Set up a reference computer with the desired operating system, applications, and configurations.

Step 2: Use tools like Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) or Clonezilla to capture an image of the reference computer. Create a master image of a fully configured computer using tools like Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) or Clonezilla.

Step 3: Customize the image to be sysprepped (Windows) or prepped (Linux) for deployment to new hardware. Customize the master image with the necessary operating system, applications, and configurations.

Step 4: Use the imaging tool to capture the image and save it to a network share or external storage device.

Step 5: Store the image on a network share or storage server.

Step 6: Deploy the image to new computers using PXE boot, USB drive, or other deployment methods. Deploy the master image to new computers using the same imaging tool, either by network booting or restoring the image from the storage device.

Step 7: After deployment, use configuration management tools or scripts to apply any necessary post-deployment configurations.

Using a disk cloning software, such as Acronis True Image or Clonezilla

Create an image of a computer that has been configured with the desired settings, applications and data. Then, using a bootable USB drive or a network connection, to apply the image to the new computers. This solution is fast and reliable, but it requires enough storage space for the image files and it may not work well with different hardware configurations.

Configuration Management Tools

Use configuration management tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef to automate the installation and configuration of software on new computers. Utilize configuration management tools like Ansible, Puppet, or PowerShell DSC (Desired State Configuration). Using a configuration management tool, such as Ansible, Chef or Puppet, to define the desired state of the new computers in terms of packages, files, services and settings. Then, using a central server or a cloud service, to run the tool on the new computers and apply the configuration. This solution is flexible and scalable, but it requires some scripting skills and it may not cover all aspects of the setup process.

Step 1: Set up the chosen configuration management tool on a central server.

Step 2: Define configuration scripts or playbooks that specify the software and settings to be installed. Define the desired state of the computer in code, specifying the operating system, applications, settings, and configurations.

Step 3: Create an inventory of new computers or specify target groups. Create configuration scripts or playbooks that automate the setup process.

Step 4: Use the tools’ built-in features or scripts to install software, apply configurations, and manage the computer’s state.

Step 5: Run the configuration scripts or playbooks to remotely set up the computers. Trigger the configuration management process on new computers using a network boot or remote execution.

Microsoft’s System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)

SCCM allows you to manage computers on a large scale, including deploying operating systems, software, and updates.

Step 1: Set up an SCCM server and configure it to manage your computers.

Step 2: Create task sequences to install operating systems, software, and updates.

Step 3: Deploy these task sequences to new computers.

Cloud-Based Management and Provisioning

Use a cloud-based deployment service. There are many cloud-based deployment services available, such as AWS CloudFormation, Azure Resource Manager, and Google Cloud Deployment Manager. These services can automate the deployment of software to cloud-based environments.

To use a cloud-based deployment service, you will need to first create an account with the service. Once you have created an account, you will need to create a deployment template. The deployment template will define the target environment and the software that you want to deploy. Once the deployment template is created, you can use the service to deploy the software to the target environment.

Leverage cloud-based solutions like Windows Autopilot (for Windows) or Apple’s Device Enrollment Program (for macOS) to streamline the provisioning process.

Step 1: Enroll new computers with the respective cloud platform and associate them with your organization’s account.

Step 2: Create profiles that define the desired settings, applications, and configurations.

Step 3: Assign profiles to the enrolled devices.

Step 4: When new computers are turned on and connected to the internet, they automatically download and apply the assigned profiles.

Using a provisioning tool, such as Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) or Windows Autopilot

A provisioning tool is a type of software deployment tool that is specifically designed for setting up new computers. Provisioning tools typically have a graphical user interface that makes it easy to create and manage configuration files.

Create a customized installation media or a cloud-based profile for the new computers. Then, using a USB drive or a network connection, to boot the new computers from the media or enroll them in the profile and follow the instructions. This solution is easy and user-friendly, but it is mostly limited to Windows operating systems and it may not support some custom applications or settings.

To use a provisioning tool, you will need to first install the tool on a central server. You will then need to create a provisioning profile that defines the target devices and the software that you want to deploy. Once the provisioning profile is created, you can use the tool to provision the target devices.

Windows Autopilot (for Windows computers)

This is a cloud-based service that allows you to enroll and configure new Windows 10 devices without having to touch them physically. It works with Microsoft Intune or other mobile device management (MDM) solutions to apply policies and settings to the devices. To use Windows Autopilot, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Configure Windows Autopilot in your organization’s Azure Active Directory (AAD) tenant.

Step 2: Register new computers with Autopilot by uploading their hardware information to the AAD portal. Register the devices with Windows Autopilot. You can do this by uploading the device information (such as serial number, model, and hardware hash) to the Microsoft Store for Business or using a PowerShell script.

Step 3: Create deployment profiles that specify the desired configuration for new computers. Create an Autopilot deployment profile in Intune or your MDM solution. This profile defines the settings and policies that you want to apply to the devices, such as language, region, keyboard, account type, privacy settings, etc.

Step 4: Assign deployment profiles to the registered devices. Assign the profile to the devices or groups of devices in Intune or your MDM solution.

Step 5: Ship the devices to the end users or distribute them in your organization. The users only need to connect the devices to the internet and sign in with their credentials. The devices will then automatically enroll and configure themselves according to the profile.

Step 6: When a new computer is turned on and connected to the internet, it will automatically enroll in Autopilot and apply the assigned deployment profile.

Windows Configuration Designer

This is a tool that allows you to create provisioning packages that contain custom settings and applications for Windows 10 devices. You can use these packages to set up new devices or update existing ones without having to reimage them. To use Windows Configuration Designer, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Install Windows Configuration Designer on your computer or use the online version.

Step 2: Create a new project and select the type of package you want to create. You can choose from different scenarios, such as desktop, kiosk, mobile, etc.

Step 3: Configure the settings and applications that you want to include in the package. You can use the graphical interface or edit the XML file directly.

Step 4: Build the package and save it as a .ppkg file.

Step 5: Apply the package to the devices using one of these methods:

Step 6: Copy the package to a USB drive and insert it into the device. The package will run automatically and apply the settings and applications.

Step 7: Copy the package to a network share and run it from there using a script or a command.

Step 8: Use an MDM solution or Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer (ICD) to push the package to the device remotely.

Containerized Development Environments

Provide developers with containerized development environments using tools like Docker, ensuring consistent setups across different computers.

Step 1: Define a Dockerfile that specifies the base image, required tools, and configurations.

Step 2: Build the Docker image containing the development environment.

Step 3: Share the Docker image through a container registry.

Step 4: Developers can pull the Docker image and run it on their local computers.

Scripted Installation and Package Managers

Create installation scripts or utilize package managers to automate the installation of applications and dependencies on new computers. Utilize package managers like Chocolatey (for Windows) or Homebrew (for macOS) to automate software installation.

Step 1: Develop installation scripts (e.g., PowerShell scripts for Windows, shell scripts for Linux) that automate the installation of common applications. Create a script or configuration file that lists the required software packages.

Step 2: Utilize package managers like Chocolatey (Windows) or APT/YUM (Linux) to install software. Use the package manager to automatically download and install the specified software.

Step 3: Create a script that applies configurations and settings after software installations. Customize the installation parameters or options as needed.

Step 4: Run the script on new computers either manually or through remote execution. Execute the script or configuration file on new computers to install the desired software packages.

Chocolatey

This is a package manager for Windows that allows you to install, update, and uninstall software from the command line or scripts. It works with PowerShell and uses NuGet as its packaging format. You can use Chocolatey to automate the installation of software on new computers by creating custom packages or using existing ones from the community repository. To use Chocolatey, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Install Chocolatey on your computer or use the online version.

Step 2: Install the software that you want to include on the new computers using Chocolatey commands. For example, choco install firefox will install Firefox on your computer.

Step 3: Create a custom package for your software configuration using Chocolatey commands or tools. For example, choco new mypackage will create a template for a new package called mypackage.

Step 4: Edit the package metadata and scripts to define the installation, uninstallation, and update processes for your software configuration.

Step 5: Build and test your package using Chocolatey commands or tools. For example, choco pack will create a .nupkg file for your package.

Step 6: Publish your package to a local or remote repository using Chocolatey commands or tools. For example, choco push will upload your package to a repository.

Step 7: Install your package on the new computers using Chocolatey commands or scripts. For example, choco install mypackage will install your package on the computer.

Using a virtualization software, such as VMware Workstation or VirtualBox

Create a virtual machine that has been configured with the desired settings, applications and data on a master computer. Then, using a file transfer software or a cloud service, to export and import the virtual machine file from the master computer to the new computers. This solution is versatile and portable, but it requires enough computing resources and it may not perform well with some hardware devices or features.

Virtual Machine Templates

Step 1: Create a virtual machine (VM) template with the desired operating system, applications, and configurations.

Step 2: Customize the VM to include all necessary software and settings.

Step 3: Convert the VM into a template or clone it to create new VMs.

Step 4: Deploy new VMs from the template using virtualization platforms like VMware vSphere or Microsoft Hyper-V.

Step 5: Customize the deployed VMs with unique settings, such as network configurations and computer names.

Using a remote desktop software, such as TeamViewer or AnyDesk

Access the new computers from a master computer that has been configured with the desired settings, applications and data. Then, using the remote desktop interface, to copy and paste the files and settings from the master computer to the new computers. This solution is simple and convenient, but it requires a stable internet connection and it may not be very secure or efficient.

Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Services or similar tools allow you to set up a single server with the necessary applications and settings, and then have users connect to this server.

Step 1: Set up a server with the necessary applications and settings.

Step 2: Configure Remote Desktop Services on the server.

Step 3: Have users connect to the server using Remote Desktop Connection.

Use a scripting language

You can also use a scripting language, such as Python or PowerShell, to automate the setup of new computers. Scripting languages can be used to create custom scripts that can be used to install the operating system, install the software, and configure the settings on the target devices.

To use a scripting language, you will need to first create a script that defines the steps that you want to take to set up the new computer. The script will need to specify the operating system, the software, and the settings that you want to configure. Once the script is created, you can use a scheduler to run the script on a regular basis.

PowerShell

PowerShell is a powerful scripting language that can automate many tasks on Windows computers. This is a scripting language and a command-line shell that allows you to automate tasks on Windows using commands and scripts. You can use PowerShell to automate the setup of new computers by writing custom scripts that perform various actions, such as configuring settings, installing software, joining domains, etc. To use PowerShell, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Install PowerShell on your computer or use the built-in version.

Step 2: Write PowerShell scripts that install software, configure settings, and perform other setup tasks. Write a PowerShell script that contains the commands and logic that you want to execute on the new computers. You can use the PowerShell ISE or any text editor to write your script.

Step 3: Save your script as a .ps1 file and copy it to a USB drive or a network share.

Step 4: Run your script on the new computers using one of these methods:

Step 5: Right-click on the script file and select “Run with PowerShell”.

Step 6: Open PowerShell and run the script using the & operator. For example, & “C:\MyScript.ps1” will run the script located at C:\MyScript.ps1.

Step 7: Use an MDM solution or a scheduled task to run the script remotely.

Using a web-based service, such as Ninite

This is a web-based service that allows you to create custom installers for multiple software applications at once. You can use Ninite to automate the installation of software on new computers by selecting the applications that you want from a list of popular programs and downloading a single executable file that will install them all in one go.

This is a web-based tool that allows you to install multiple applications on a new computer with one click. You can choose from a list of popular and essential software, such as browsers, media players, security tools, office suites, etc. Ninite will download and install all your choices with no clicking Next, no toolbars, and no junk. To use Ninite, you just need to go to its website, select the apps you want, click “Get Installer”, and then run the Ninite installer .exe file on the new computer. Ninite will take care of the rest.

To use Ninite, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit Ninite’s website and select the software applications that you want to install on the new computers from various categories, such as web browsers, security, utilities, etc.

Step 2: Click on “Get Your Ninite” button and download the installer file (.exe) that contains all your selected applications.

Step 3: Run the installer file on the new computers or copy it to a USB drive or a network share and run it from there. The installer will download and install the latest versions of the applications without any user intervention or extra options.

Windows Setup Automation Overview

This is a method that allows you to automate Windows installation by using an answer file. An answer file is a file that contains the settings and preferences for your Windows installation, such as language, product key, partitioning, drivers, etc. You can create an answer file using Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM) or use a sample answer file. You need to save the file as Autounattend.xml on the root of a USB flash drive. Then, on a new computer, put in the Windows product DVD and the USB flash drive, and boot the computer. Windows Setup will search for the answer file and use it to install Windows automatically.

WinAutomation

This is a software tool that allows you to create and run automation scripts for various tasks on a new computer, such as installing software, configuring settings, copying files, etc. You can use a graphical user interface or write code in Visual Basic to create your scripts. You can also use predefined actions and triggers to automate common tasks. To use WinAutomation, you need to install it on the new computer or use the cloud version. Then, you need to create a project and add your scripts to it. You can also configure variables, parameters, exceptions, logs, etc. for your project. Finally, you can run your project manually or automatically and monitor the results on the WinAutomation console.

RoboTask

This is another software tool that allows you to create and run automation tasks for various activities on a new computer, such as installing software, configuring settings, copying files, etc. You can use a simple drag-and-drop interface or write code in Pascal to create your tasks. You can also use predefined actions and events to automate common activities. To use RoboTask, you need to install it on the new computer or use the cloud version. Then, you need to create a task and add your actions to it. You can also configure variables, parameters, conditions, loops, etc. for your task. Finally, you can run your task manually or automatically and monitor the results on the RoboTask console.

AutoHotkey

This is a free, open-source tool that allows you to create and run automation scripts for various operations on a new computer, such as installing software, configuring settings, copying files, etc. You can write code in AutoHotkey’s own scripting language or use existing scripts from its community. You can also use hotkeys, hotstrings, and GUIs to automate common operations. To use AutoHotkey, you need to install it on the new computer or use the portable version. Then, you need to create a script file with .ahk extension and write your code in it. You can also include libraries, functions, and commands from other sources in your script. Finally, you can run your script by double-clicking it or by using a shortcut key.

Remember, each solution may have specific requirements and steps that need to be followed. It’s important to evaluate the suitability of each solution for your organization’s needs and test them thoroughly before implementing them in a production environment.

9. Patch Windows, Mac, and Linux computers

Patching is perhaps one of the most time-intensive processes an IT team deals with. Patching can regularly take between 30 minutes to an hour per device per month — for Windows patching only. This time commitment balloons quickly in more heterogenous environments. Failing to keep updated carries significant security and compliance risks.

Solution enables you to automatically patch Windows, Mac, and Linux devices along with third-party applications from a single pane of glass.

Here are solutions to automate patching task and save time and effort for IT teams:

Centralized Patch Management System

Use a centralized patch management system to automate and schedule the deployment of patches and updates across different operating systems.

Step 1: Choose a patch management tool such as Microsoft WSUS (for Windows), Jamf Pro (for Mac), or tools like Ansible or SaltStack (for Linux).

Step 2: Set up the patch management system on a centralized server.

Step 3: Configure the tool to scan for available patches and updates for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.

Step 4: Create patch deployment schedules and rules based on system groups or policies.

Step 5: Monitor and manage the patching process through the tool’s dashboard.

Configuration Management Tools

Utilize configuration management tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef to automate the patching process for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Use a configuration management tool, such as Ansible, Chef, or Puppet, that can automate the installation and configuration of software on your devices. These tools use scripts or code to define the desired state of your devices, and then apply the changes automatically. To configure these solutions, you would need to install the tool on a server or a workstation, write or download the scripts or code for patching, and run them on your devices or schedule them using a cron job or a task scheduler.

Step 1: Set up the chosen configuration management tool on a central server.

Step 2: Create scripts or playbooks that define how patches should be installed for each operating system.

Step 3: Use system inventory to determine which systems need patches.

Step 4: Run the scripts or playbooks to apply patches to the targeted systems.

Step 5: Automate scheduling and execution using the configuration management tool.

OS-Specific Patch Management Solutions

Leverage OS-specific tools and solutions that are tailored to each operating system’s patching requirements.

Windows

Use Windows Update or Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) for central management. This is a Microsoft tool that allows IT administrators to manage the distribution of updates released through Microsoft Update to computers in a corporate environment:

Step 1: Set up a WSUS server in your network infrastructure.

Step 2: Configure the WSUS server to connect to Microsoft Update and download the necessary updates.

Step 3: Create computer groups and approve updates for specific groups.

Step 4: Configure the client computers to connect to the WSUS server for updates.

Step 5: Schedule automatic update deployments and configure deadlines for installation.

Step 6: Use Group Policy to enforce update policies across domain-joined computers.

SCCM (System Center Configuration Manager). Also a Microsoft product, SCCM is more comprehensive than WSUS and allows for the management of a larger array of IT tasks:

Step 1: Install SCCM.

Step 2: Configure discovery methods.

Step 3: Create device collections.

Step 4: Deloy software updates.

Step 5: Monitor SCCM.

PowerShell Scripting:

Step 1: Utilize PowerShell scripting to automate the patching process.

Step 2: Write a script that connects to Microsoft Update or WSUS to retrieve available updates.

Step 3: Deploy the updates to target computers using PowerShell remoting or other deployment mechanisms.

Step 4: Schedule the script to run at regular intervals using a task scheduler.

Step 5: Monitor the script execution and receive notifications for any failures or issues.

Mac

Deploy updates through the Apple Software Update Server (for macOS Server) or a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution:

Step 1: Set up an Apple Software Update Server on a macOS server. Set up automatic updates or push updates based on policies.

Step 2: Download the necessary updates from Apple’s servers and store them on the local server.

Step 3: Configure client computers to connect to the local server for updates.

Step 4: Schedule the server to synchronize with Apple’s servers to download new updates.

Step 5: Automate the deployment of updates to client computers using the local server.

Configuration Profiles:

Step 1: Utilize configuration profiles on macOS to automate patching.

Step 2: Create a configuration profile that specifies the desired update settings.

Step 3: Include the configuration profile in your Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution.

Step 4: Deploy the configuration profile to Mac computers, which will enforce the update settings.

Step 5: Monitor the compliance of the computers and receive notifications for any non-compliant devices.

Jamf Pro. This is a leading solution for Apple device management. It provides patch management, software distribution, asset management, and more:

Step 1: Install Jamf Pro.

Step 2: Configure settings.

Step 3: Create device groups.

Step 4: Deploy software updates.

Step 5: Monitor Jamf Pro.

Linux

Package Managers:

Step 1: Utilize package managers like APT (Advanced Package Tool) for Debian-based distributions or YUM (Yellowdog Updater Modified) for Red Hat-based distributions. Utilize package managers (e.g., APT, YUM) to install security updates.

Step 2: Configure the package manager to connect to the appropriate repositories for updates.

Step 3: Schedule regular updates using the package manager’s built-in scheduling or cron jobs.

Step 4: Use tools like unattended-upgrades for Debian-based systems or yum-cron for Red Hat-based systems to automate the installation of updates.

Step 5: Monitor the update process and receive notifications for any failures or issues.

Step 6: Consider tools like Spacewalk or Red Hat Satellite for enterprise-grade Linux patch management.

Configuration Management Tools:

Step 1: Utilize configuration management tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef.

Step 2: Define the desired state of the Linux systems in code, including the required updates.

Step 3: Write configuration scripts or playbooks that automate the patching process.

Step 4: Use the tools’ built-in features or scripts to install updates and manage the systems’ state.

Step 5: Schedule the execution of the scripts or playbooks on target Linux systems.

Cross-Platform Solutions

Step 1: Utilize cross-platform solutions like Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (formerly SCCM), Ivanti, or SolarWinds Patch Manager.

Step 2: Install the chosen tool on a central server in your network.

Step 3: Configure the tool to connect to the appropriate repositories for updates.

Step 4: Define deployment rules, schedules, and target groups for the updates.

Step 5: Deploy the updates automatically to the target computers based on the defined rules.

Use a built-in patch management feature, such as Windows Update, Software Update, or PackageKit

Check for and install updates automatically on your devices. These features are usually enabled by default on your devices, but you can also customize them using settings or preferences. To configure these solutions, you would need to access the settings or preferences of each feature on your devices, and adjust the options for checking for updates, downloading updates, installing updates, and restarting your devices.

Third-Party Patch Management Tools

Use third-party patch management tools that support multi-platform environments, allowing you to automate patch deployment across Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. There are many patch management tools available, such as ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus, NinjaOne, and Automox. These tools can automate the entire process of patching Windows, Mac, and Linux computers, from identifying missing patches to deploying them to the target devices.

To use a patch management tool, you will need to first install the tool on a central server. You will then need to create a configuration file for the tool that defines the target devices and the patches that you want to deploy. Once the configuration file is created, you can use the tool to scan the target devices for missing patches and then deploy the patches to the devices.

Step 1: Choose a third-party patch management tool like ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus or SolarWinds Patch Manager.

Step 2: Install and configure the tool on a central server.

Step 3: Integrate with inventory to identify systems that need patches.

Step 4: Create schedules to automate patch scans and deployments.

Step 5: Monitor the patching process and generate reports on compliance.

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus

This is a patch management solution that can scan, detect, download, and deploy patches for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, as well as over 750 third-party applications. It also supports patching for remote devices, cloud instances, virtual machines, and mobile devices.

This is a patch management solution that can scan, detect, download, and deploy patches for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, as well as over 750 third-party applications. It also provides reports and dashboards to monitor the patch status and compliance of your devices. To configure this solution, you need to install the Patch Manager Plus server on a Windows machine and deploy agents on the devices you want to patch. You can then create patch policies and schedules to automate the patch deployment process. You can also use the web console to manage and monitor your patching activities.

To use ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Install Patch Manager Plus on your server or use the cloud version.

Step 2: Add the devices that you want to patch to Patch Manager Plus using various methods, such as agent installation, network discovery, Active Directory synchronization, etc.

Step 3: Configure the patching policies and schedules for your devices based on your requirements. You can choose from predefined policies or create custom ones.

Step 4: Monitor and manage the patch deployment process from the Patch Manager Plus console. You can view the patch status, compliance reports, audit logs, etc.

NinjaOne Patch Management

This is a cloud-based platform that provides system monitoring and management services for Windows and Mac systems. It supports patching for over 135 third-party applications, such as Adobe, Java, Chrome, Firefox, etc. It also integrates with various tools and platforms, such as TeamViewer, Webroot, Splashtop, etc.

This is a cloud-based platform that provides system monitoring and management services, including patch management. It supports patching for Windows and Mac OS environments, as well as 135 third-party applications. It also integrates with Microsoft WSUS and SCCM for more control over the patching process. To configure this solution, you need to create an account on the NinjaOne website and install agents on the devices you want to patch. You can then use the web dashboard to create patch policies and schedules, as well as view reports and alerts on your patch status.

To use NinjaOne Patch Management, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Sign up for a NinjaOne account and log in to the NinjaOne portal.

Step 2: Install the NinjaOne agent on the devices that you want to patch or use the network discovery feature to automatically detect them.

Step 3: Configure the patching settings and schedules for your devices from the NinjaOne portal. You can choose from predefined settings or create custom ones.

Step 4: Track and manage the patch deployment process from the NinjaOne portal. You can view the patch status, alerts, notifications, etc.

Cloud-Based Patching Solutions

Utilize cloud-based solutions to manage and automate patching for various operating systems remotely. Use a cloud-based patch management service, such as Microsoft Intune, Jamf Pro, or Automox, that can deploy patches to devices across different platforms and locations. These services typically allow you to create policies and schedules for patching, monitor patch status and compliance, and generate reports and alerts. To configure these solutions, you would need to enroll your devices in the service, assign them to groups, and create patch policies for each group.

There are many cloud-based patch management services available, such as Automox and SecPod SanerNow. These services can automate the patching of Windows, Mac, and Linux computers from a cloud-based console.

To use a cloud-based patch management service, you will need to first create an account with the service. Once you have created an account, you will need to select the target devices and the patches that you want to deploy. The service will then automatically scan the target devices for missing patches and then deploy the patches to the devices.

Step 1: Choose a cloud-based patch management service like AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager.

Step 2: Register your computers or instances with the service.

Step 3: Configure patch baselines that define which patches to install and when.

Step 4: Schedule automatic patching based on defined baselines.

Step 5: Monitor patch compliance and apply patches as needed.

Automox

This is a cloud-native platform that provides endpoint management services, including patch management. It supports patching for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Chrome OS, iOS, Android, and over 100 third-party applications. It also provides inventory management, software deployment, configuration management, and compliance reporting capabilities. To configure this solution, you need to create an account on the Automox website and install agents on the devices you want to patch. You can then use the web dashboard to create patch policies and schedules, as well as view reports and insights on your patch status.

Use a remote desktop software, such as TeamViewer, AnyDesk, or Splashtop

Access and control your devices remotely. These software can allow you to install patches manually or run scripts or commands on your devices from a central console. To configure these solutions, you would need to install the software on your devices and the console, create an account and a password for each device, and connect to them using the console.

Use a custom script or command, such as PowerShell, Bash, or Python

Download and install patches from a source or a repository on your devices. These scripts or commands can be written by yourself or downloaded from online sources. To configure these solutions, you would need to write or download the script or command for patching, save it on your devices or a shared location, and run it on your devices or schedule it using a cron job or a task scheduler.

You can also use a scripting language, such as Python or PowerShell, to automate the patching of Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. Scripting languages can be used to create custom scripts that can be used to identify missing patches, download the patches, and deploy the patches to the target devices.

To use a scripting language, you will need to first create a script that defines the steps that you want to take to patch the computers. The script will need to specify the operating system, the patches, and the commands that you want to use to patch the computers. Once the script is created, you can use a scheduler to run the script on a regular basis.

PowerShell

This is a scripting language and a command-line shell that allows you to automate tasks on Windows and Linux systems using commands and scripts. You can use PowerShell to automate patching Windows and Linux computers by writing custom scripts that perform various actions such as checking for updates installing updates restarting computers etc To use PowerShell Patch Management you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Install PowerShell on your computer or use the built-in version.

Step 2: Write a PowerShell script that contains the commands and logic that you want to execute on the computers that you want to patch. You can use the PowerShell ISE or any text editor to write your script.

Step 3: Save your script as a .ps1 file and copy it to a shared folder or a USB drive.

Step 4: Run your script on the computers that you want to patch using one of these methods:

Step 5: Right-click on the script file and select “Run with PowerShell”.

Step 6: Open PowerShell and run the script using the & operator. For example, & “C:\MyScript.ps1” will run the script located at C:\MyScript.ps1.

Step 7: Use a scheduled task or a remote management tool to run the script on multiple computers at once.

Use a combination of these solutions

You can also use a combination of these solutions to automate the patching of Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. For example, you could use a patch management tool to identify missing patches, and then use a scripting language to download and deploy the patches to the target devices.

Ivanti Security Controls

This is a security solution that provides vulnerability scanning and patch management for Windows and Linux systems. It supports patching for over 200 third-party applications, such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Reader, Oracle Java, etc. It also offers features such as application control, device control, privilege management, etc.

This is a security solution that combines patch management, application control, privilege management, and device control. It supports patching for Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Unix, VMware ESXi, and over 200 third-party applications. It also provides vulnerability scanning and remediation capabilities. To configure this solution, you need to install the Ivanti Security Controls console on a Windows machine and deploy agents or use agentless scanning on the devices you want to patch. You can then use the console to create patch groups and schedules, as well as run scans and deploy patches.

To use Ivanti Security Controls, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Install Ivanti Security Controls on your server or use the cloud version.

Step 2: Add the devices that you want to patch to Ivanti Security Controls using various methods, such as agent installation, network scanning, Active Directory integration, etc.

Step 3: Configure the patching policies and schedules for your devices based on your needs. You can choose from predefined policies or create custom ones.

Step 4: Monitor and manage the patch deployment process from the Ivanti Security Controls console. You can view the patch status, compliance reports, remediation actions, etc.

N-able N-central

This is a remote monitoring and management solution that provides patch management for Windows and Mac systems. It supports patching for over 100 third-party applications, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Adobe Flash Player, etc. It also offers features such as antivirus protection, backup and recovery, automation scripts, etc. To use N-able N-central Patch Management, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Sign up for an N-able N-central account and log in to the N-able N-central portal.

Step 2: Install the N-able N-central agent on the devices that you want to patch or use the network discovery feature to automatically detect them.

Step 3: Configure the patching rules and schedules for your devices from the N-able N-central portal. You can choose from predefined rules or create custom ones.

Step 4: Monitor and manage the patch deployment process from the N-able N-central portal. You can view the patch status, alerts, reports, etc.

Kaseya VSA

This is a remote monitoring and management solution that provides various IT services, including patch management. It supports patching for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, VMware ESXi, Citrix XenServer, Amazon EC2 instances, Microsoft Azure VMs, Google Cloud Platform VMs, and over 100 third-party applications. It also provides vulnerability scanning, software deployment, backup and recovery, endpoint security, network monitoring, automation scripting, and compliance reporting capabilities. To configure this solution, you need to install the Kaseya VSA server on a Windows machine or use the cloud-hosted version and deploy agents on the devices you want to patch. You can then use the web console or the mobile app to create patch profiles and schedules, as well as run scans and deploy patches.

Use a managed service provider

A managed service provider (MSP) can provide a fully managed patch management service for your organization. This will free up your IT team to focus on other tasks, while the MSP will ensure that your computers are always up to date with the latest patches.

When selecting a solution, consider factors such as your existing infrastructure, the number of systems you need to manage, and the level of customization and control required. Always prioritize security and ensure that patches are tested in a controlled environment before deploying them to production systems.

10. Report on IT processes and outcomes

From software and hardware inventories to patch compliance and security, reporting can be an endless task. Solution not only automates collection of the critical data needed for reporting, it also automates the creation of beautiful, presentation-ready reports.

Here are solutions to automate reporting task and save time and effort for IT teams:

Use a cloud-based reporting tool such as Power BI, Tableau, AWS QuickSight, or Google Data Studio

These tools allow you to connect to various data sources, such as databases, spreadsheets, APIs, or web pages, and create interactive dashboards and reports that can be shared and accessed online. There are many reporting tools available, such as Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, and Qlik Sense. These tools can be used to automate the creation of reports on IT processes and outcomes.

To use a reporting tool, you will need to first install the tool on a central server. You will then need to create a data source that connects to the data that you want to report on. Once the data source is created, you can use the tool to create reports on the data.

To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Sign up for a cloud-based reporting tool account and choose a pricing plan that suits your needs.

Step 2: Connect your data sources to the reporting tool and import or query the data you want to report on.

Step 3: Design and customize your dashboards and reports using the built-in features and options of the reporting tool.

Step 4: Schedule the refresh frequency of your data and set up alerts or notifications for any changes or issues.

Step 5: Publish and share your dashboards and reports with your IT team or other stakeholders via email, link, or embed code.

Business Intelligence (BI) Tools

Use a business intelligence (BI) software such as Microsoft Excel, SAS, or IBM Cognos. These software allow you to analyze data from various sources, create charts and graphs, and generate reports that can be printed or exported. Utilize BI tools to automate the collection, analysis, and visualization of IT-related data for reporting purposes.

To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Choose a BI tool like Tableau, Power BI, or QlikView.

Step 2: Install the BI software on your computer or server and activate the license if required.

Step 3: Connect the BI tool to various data sources within the IT environment, such as IT service management (ITSM), ticketing systems, monitoring tools, or configuration management databases to the BI software and import or query the data you want to report on.

Step 4: Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics relevant to IT processes and outcomes.

Step 5: Create dashboards and reports that display real-time or scheduled data updates. Design and create interactive reports and dashboards that visualize IT process data and outcomes.

Step 6: Analyze and visualize your data using the features and functions of the BI software.

Step 7: Create and format your reports using the templates and options of the BI software.

Step 8: Schedule automated data refreshes to ensure the reports are up to date.

Step 9: Save or export your reports in your preferred format or location.

Step 10: Share reports and dashboards with stakeholders via automated emails, web-based portals, or embedding them in other applications.

Power BI

This is a business intelligence and analytics tool that helps you create interactive reports and dashboards from various data sources. It supports connecting to hundreds of applications, such as databases, cloud services, web APIs, etc. It also allows you to model and transform your data using Power Query or DAX.

This is a data analytics software that is part of the Microsoft suite of products. It can connect to various IT sources such as databases, files, web services, cloud applications, and more. It can also create reports, dashboards, charts, maps, and stories using interactive features and artificial intelligence. To configure this solution, you need to create an account on the Microsoft website and integrate your IT sources using connectors or APIs. You can then use the Power BI Desktop or the Power BI Service to create and customize your reports and dashboards.

To use Power BI for reporting, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Sign up for a Power BI account and log in to the Power BI platform.

Step 2: Add your data sources to Power BI. You can upload files, connect to applications, use web connectors, or import data via API.

Step 3: Model and transform your data in Power BI. You can use various features such as queries, relationships, calculations, measures, etc. You can also create dataflows to reuse and share your data across multiple reports and dashboards.

Step 4: Visualize and analyze your data in Power BI. You can use various features such as charts, tables, maps, slicers, etc. You can also add interactivity and drill-through options to your visualizations.

Step 5: Create reports and dashboards in Power BI. You can choose from predefined templates or create custom ones. You can also add AI insights and natural language queries to your reports and dashboards.

Step 6: Share and publish your reports and dashboards in Power BI. You can share them with your team members or stakeholders via email or link. You can also publish them to the Power BI service or embed them on your website or app.

Tableau

This is a data visualization software that can connect to various IT sources such as databases, files, web services, cloud applications, and more. It can also create reports, dashboards, charts, maps, and stories using intuitive features and advanced analytics. To configure this solution, you need to install the Tableau Desktop on a Windows or Mac machine or use the Tableau Online or Tableau Server for cloud-based or on-premise deployment. You can then use the desktop client or the web interface to create and edit your reports and dashboards.

Salesforce Datorama

This is a reporting and marketing software that is enhanced by the Salesforce platform. It can connect to various IT sources such as web analytics, CRM, ERP, social media, email, and more. It can also create dashboards, reports, and insights using artificial intelligence and machine learning. To configure this solution, you need to create an account on the Salesforce website and integrate your IT sources using connectors or APIs. You can then use the web interface or the mobile app to create and customize your reports and dashboards.

Board

This is a business intelligence (BI) and corporate performance management (CPM) software that connects data from multiple IT systems such as databases, spreadsheets, cloud services, and more. It can also create reports, dashboards, scorecards, and simulations using drag-and-drop features and natural language processing. To configure this solution, you need to install the Board server on a Windows machine or use the cloud-hosted version and connect your IT sources using native drivers or APIs. You can then use the web interface or the desktop client to create and modify your reports and dashboards.

Sisense

This is a cloud-native platform that provides end-to-end data analytics services, including reporting. It can connect to various IT sources such as databases, files, web services, cloud applications, and more. It can also create reports, dashboards, widgets, and infographics using interactive features and embedded analytics. To configure this solution, you need to create an account on the Sisense website and integrate your IT sources using connectors or APIs. You can then use the web interface or the mobile app to create and customize your reports and dashboards.

Custom Scripting and Data Collection

Develop custom scripts to automate the collection and transformation of IT data, feeding it into reporting tools or databases.

Step 1: Identify data sources within your IT ecosystem, such as logs, event data, or databases.

Step 2: Develop scripts (Python, PowerShell, etc.) to gather, clean, and transform the data. Utilize scripting languages like PowerShell, Python, or Bash. Write scripts or automation routines that extract data from various IT systems and generate reports.

Step 3: Use APIs or command-line interfaces to retrieve relevant data from systems such as ticketing tools, monitoring platforms, or configuration management databases.

Step 4: Store the transformed data in a central repository or database.

Step 5: Format the extracted data into a structured report using formats like CSV, Excel, or HTML. Use reporting tools or visualization libraries to generate reports from the stored data.

Step 6: Automate the execution of data collection scripts at scheduled intervals. Schedule the scripts or automation routines to run at specific intervals using task schedulers or cron jobs.

Use a scripting language such as Python, R, or PowerShell

Automate the data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) process and generate reports in various formats, such as PDF, HTML, or Excel. These languages have libraries and modules that can help you perform various tasks, such as connecting to databases, querying data, manipulating data, creating charts and graphs, and exporting or emailing reports.

You can also use a scripting language, such as Python or PowerShell, to automate the creation of reports on IT processes and outcomes. Scripting languages can be used to create custom scripts that can be used to extract data from databases, transform the data, and create reports.

To use a scripting language, you will need to first create a script that defines the steps that you want to take to create the report. The script will need to specify the data sources, the transformations that you want to apply to the data, and the format of the report. Once the script is created, you can use a scheduler to run the script on a regular basis.

To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Install the scripting language and the required libraries or modules on your computer or server.

Step 2: Write a script that performs the ETL process and generates the reports according to your specifications.

Step 3: Test and debug your script and ensure that it runs without errors and produces the expected results.

Step 4: Schedule the execution of your script using a task scheduler or a cron job and specify the output location or recipients of your reports.

IT Process Automation Platforms

Implement IT process automation platforms that not only streamline workflows but also provide reporting capabilities.

Step 1: Choose an IT process automation platform like ServiceNow, BMC Helix, or Jira Service Management.

Step 2: Configure the platform to automate routine IT tasks, incidents, and service requests.

Step 3: Define workflows that capture relevant data points at various stages.

Step 4: Utilize the platform’s reporting and analytics features to generate predefined or custom reports.

Step 5: Schedule and distribute reports to stakeholders automatically.

IT Service Management (ITSM) Tools such as ServiceNow, Jira Service Management

Step 1: Utilize ITSM tools like ServiceNow, Jira Service Management, or BMC Remedy.

Step 2: Configure the ITSM tool to capture relevant data and metrics on IT processes and outcomes.

Step 3: Define and customize reports within the tool to display the desired information.

Step 4: Schedule automated report generation and distribution to stakeholders on a regular basis.

Step 5: Configure dashboards within the ITSM tool to provide real-time visibility into key metrics.

Jira Software

This is a software development tool that helps IT teams manage their software projects using agile methodologies. It allows you to create issues (such as bugs, features, tasks, etc.), organize them into sprints or releases, track their status and resolution, etc. It also provides various reports that show the performance and quality of your software projects. To use Jira Software for reporting, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Sign up for a Jira Software account and log in to the Jira Software platform.

Step 2: Create or import your software projects and issues in Jira Software. You can also assign team members, set priorities, add labels, attach files, etc.

Step 3: Manage and update your software projects and issues in Jira Software. You can use various features such as workflows, boards, backlogs, roadmaps, etc.

Step 4: Generate reports in Jira Software. You can choose from predefined reports or create custom ones using Jira Query Language (JQL). Some of the reports available are burndown chart, velocity chart, sprint report, release report, etc.

Step 5: View and export your reports in Jira Software. You can view them on your dashboard or project page. You can also export them as CSV or XML files.

Use a report automation software such as Windward Studios, Docmosis, or AutoTag

These software allow you to create report templates using familiar tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, and populate them with data from various sources using a simple drag-and-drop interface. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Install the report automation software on your computer or server and activate the license if required.

Step 2: Connect your data sources to the report automation software and select the data fields you want to use in your reports.

Step 3: Create your report templates using the tools you are familiar with and insert the data fields using the report automation software interface.

Step 4: Generate your reports by clicking a button or using a command line interface.

Log and Event Analysis and Monitoring Tools

Leverage log and event analysis tools to automatically monitor and report on IT processes and anomalies.

Step 1: Implement log management tools like Splunk, ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana), or Graylog. Utilize log analytics and monitoring tools like Splunk, ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana), or Azure Monitor.

Step 2: Configure the tools to collect and analyze logs, metrics, and events from IT systems and applications.

Step 3: Define alerts and triggers for specific events or patterns.

Step 4: Define custom queries or search patterns to extract relevant data for reporting purposes.

Step 5: Create visualizations, dashboards, or reports within the log analytics and monitoring tools to monitor processes and outcomes.

Step 6: Automate alert notifications and scheduled reports based on detected anomalies. Schedule automated report generation and distribution based on predefined criteria or time intervals.

Cloud-Based Analytics Platforms

Utilize cloud-based analytics platforms that offer built-in reporting features and integration capabilities.

Step 1: Choose a cloud analytics platform like Google Cloud Platform’s BigQuery, AWS QuickSight, or Azure Power BI.

Step 2: Connect the platform to relevant data sources within your IT environment.

Step 3: Define data pipelines to ingest and process data for reporting.

Step 4: Develop visualizations, dashboards, and reports using the platform’s tools.

Step 5: Utilize automation features to schedule report generation and distribution.

Use a workflow automation platform such as Zapier, Integromat, IFTTT, or Microsoft Flow

These platforms allow you to create workflows that connect different apps and services and automate various tasks, such as sending emails, uploading files, updating databases, or creating reports. To configure this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Sign up for a workflow automation platform account and choose a pricing plan that suits your needs.

Step 2: Choose the apps and services that you want to connect and use as triggers or actions in your workflows.

Step 3: Create your workflows using the drag-and-drop interface or the pre-built templates of the platform.

Step 4: Test and run your workflows and monitor their performance and status.

Custom Web Applications or Portals

Step 1: Develop custom web applications or portals using web development frameworks like Django, Ruby on Rails, or ASP.NET.

Step 2: Design the application or portal to collect and store relevant data on IT processes and outcomes.

Step 3: Implement reporting functionalities within the application, allowing users to generate customized reports based on their requirements.

Step 4: Automate report generation based on predefined criteria or user-defined schedules.

Step 5: Provide secure access to the application or portal for stakeholders to view and download reports.

Wrike

This is a project management and collaboration tool that helps IT teams plan, execute, and report on their projects. It allows you to create custom dashboards and reports that show the progress, status, and results of your IT projects. To use Wrike for reporting, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Sign up for a Wrike account and log in to the Wrike platform.

Step 2: Create or import your IT projects and tasks in Wrike. You can also assign team members, set deadlines, add dependencies, attach files, etc.

Step 3: Track and update your IT projects and tasks in Wrike. You can use various features such as time tracking, comments, notifications, approvals, etc.

Step 4: Create dashboards and reports in Wrike. You can choose from predefined templates or create custom ones. You can also filter, sort, group, and visualize your data using various widgets and charts.

Step 5: Share and export your dashboards and reports in Wrike. You can share them with your team members or stakeholders via email or link. You can also export them as PDF or Excel files.

Zoho Analytics

This is a reporting and analytics tool that helps you create insightful reports and dashboards from various data sources. It supports connecting to over 500 applications, such as databases, cloud services, web APIs, etc. It also allows you to blend and transform your data using SQL or drag-and-drop interface. To use Zoho Analytics for reporting, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Sign up for a Zoho Analytics account and log in to the Zoho Analytics platform.

Step 2: Add your data sources to Zoho Analytics. You can upload files, connect to applications, use web connectors, or import data via API.

Step 3: Analyze and visualize your data in Zoho Analytics. You can use various features such as formulas, filters, aggregations, joins, etc. You can also create charts, tables, maps, pivot tables, etc.

Step 4: Create reports and dashboards in Zoho Analytics. You can choose from predefined templates or create custom ones. You can also add interactivity and drill-down options to your reports and dashboards.

Step 5: Share and publish your reports and dashboards in Zoho Analytics. You can share them with your team members or stakeholders via email or link. You can also embed them on your website or blog.

MeisterTask

This is a task management and collaboration tool that helps IT teams work on their projects using Kanban boards. It allows you to create tasks (such as tickets, requests, issues, etc.), assign them to team members, set due dates, add checklists, comments, files, etc. It also offers various reports that show the productivity and efficiency of your IT team.

To use MeisterTask for reporting you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Sign up for a MeisterTask account and log in to the MeisterTask platform.

Step 2: Create or import your IT projects and tasks in MeisterTask. You can also organize them into sections and add tags and custom fields.

Step 3: Work on and update your IT projects and tasks in MeisterTask.

Step 4: You can use various features such as notifications reminders time tracking integrations etc.

Step 5: Generate reports in MeisterTask. You can choose from predefined reports or create custom ones using filters and metrics. Some of the reports available are task status task distribution time spent team performance etc.

Step 6: View and export your reports in MeisterTask. You can view them on your dashboard or project page. You can also export them as PDF or CSV files.

When selecting a solution, consider factors such as data sources, reporting complexity, scalability, and integration capabilities. Aim to create automated reporting processes that provide actionable insights for both real-time monitoring and historical analysis.