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Get to know the three Windows Defender tool groups
The three native Windows 10 utilities included in Windows Defender -- Advanced Threat Protection (ATP), Exploit Guard and Application Guard -- allow IT to protect the organization's network, track endpoints and more. Read Now
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What's new with Windows Defender in Windows 10?
IT pros can use the behavioral analysis from Windows Defender ATP and the Microsoft Edge browser's Application Guard integrations to protect users. Read Now
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Troubleshoot Windows Defender update issues
If IT encounters issues with an update to Windows Defender, it can run the Windows Update troubleshooter to see if the update itself is at fault, for example. Read Now
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Keep up with Windows Defender definitions
Windows Defender is only effective as long as IT keeps its definitions -- files that directly target new variants of malware -- up to date. Microsoft Windows Update service and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) can help IT accomplish this. Read Now
Editor's note
Windows 10 is the most used OS for desktops in the world, so it's a big target for hackers.
IT professionals should get to know all the Windows 10 security tools they have at their disposal so they can protect users' desktops. Options include native Windows 10 security tools and utilities such as Microsoft Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit. There are also third-party tools to supplement Windows' native firewalls, encryption tools and more.
With so many Windows 10 security tools, IT pros may not know which ones they should choose. For IT pros to determine which aspects of security can rely on Windows 10's native security tools and which cannot, they must learn the ins and outs of each option they have.
1Shore up Windows 10 desktops with patch management
Late or absent desktop or application patches can create significant vulnerabilities. As a result, IT must find a way to deploy patches quickly, without causing compatibility issues with the desktop or other applications. The balance of testing patches for compatibility while still deploying them quickly is difficult for IT pros to strike -- especially for organizations with many third-party applications. Microsoft's native patching utilities, WSUS and System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), don't handle third-party application patches well. As a result, IT can turn to third-party tools to lighten the workload and fill in the gaps that Windows 10's native patch management cannot.
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WSUS a strong option for Windows patches
IT professionals can take advantage of WSUS' patch scheduling and automatic download utilities to deploy Windows patches, but they shouldn't expect it to do much for third-party application patching. Read Now
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Take control of all updates and patches
IT shouldn't leave any application-patching functions to their users, because they likely won't understand the intricacies of the process. IT pros should use WSUS, SCCM and a third-party patching tool to remove the uncertainty from the patching process with automation. Read Now
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Patch automation shrinks the margin for error
To ensure its entire deployment receives patches for third-party applications as soon as possible, IT should use a patch management tool that includes some automation. Read Now
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Consider patch management software for third-party apps
Selecting a patch management tool isn't a simple decision. Learn about the current options on the market, such as ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus and GFI LanGuard, before selecting a tool. Read Now
2Get to know the options for firewall and encryption
Data encryption and firewalls are crucial for strong security. Firewalls are software that enforces a set of rules on data transactions within the network and between one network and another. Firewalls serve as the front line for all inputs and outputs for an organization's network. Data encryption tools, which encode any data moving from one device to another, ensure that even if a hacker bypasses the firewall and accesses an organization's data transfers, he can't read the data without the decryption key.
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Microsoft adds full-disk encryption to BitLocker
BitLocker, Windows 10's native data encryption tool, allows IT to secure users' local data in addition to their data transfers. Best of all, IT pros can manage and deploy BitLocker settings through PowerShell. Read Now
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Before diving into data encryption, learn the basics
Before selecting a data encryption tool, IT professionals should learn how these utilities work, how to use them effectively and how they would fit into their Windows 10 deployment. Read Now
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Understand Windows 10 firewall options
Windows Firewall, the native firewall included in Windows 10, is popular because IT can enable and manage it through Group Policy. But for more robust firewalls, IT pros should consider third-party options. Read Now
3Do you understand the Windows 10 security tool market?
Windows Defender is not the only native Windows 10 security tool. Test your knowledge of Windows Defender and other native security options IT can use to lock down its organization's endpoints.