Device Inventory

A device inventory is a comprehensive list of all connected devices within a network, including details such as operating system, model, serial number, associated user(s), and other identifying information, used to track and manage potential security risks across an organization’s IT infrastructure. An accurate device inventory is essential as it provides a detailed record of every device that could be a potential exposure.

A device inventory should aggregate, correlate, and deduplicate data from any tool that provides inventory details including: device name, IP address, operating system version, software applications installed, network location, user assigned, and other identifying characteristics.

An accurate and comprehensive device inventory enables organizations to:

• Proactively identify risk exposure by having full visibility into all devices so security teams can quickly identify suspicious activity on unknown or unauthorized assets.
• Prioritize patch management by reviewing detailed device data (in addition to threat intelligence and business context) to make informed decisions on which devices to address first.
• Enforce compliance requirements by maintaining a record of all connected devices and validate security controls coverage. 
  

Additional Resources

• Comparison Guide: The Criticality of Security Asset Inventory: Moving Beyond IT Asset Management
• Cyber Hygiene and Asset Management: Perception vs. Reality

Related Terms

• Cyber Asset Attack Surface Management (CAASM)
• Security Inventory