When a company is just starting out, there may be only a handful of employees and computers to keep up with. But as both numbers grow to 10, 25, 50+ staff and computers on your network, keeping your technology secure and centrally controlled becomes a challenge.
What happens if you add sensitive payroll files on your cloud storage network and want to restrict access? Do you need to have someone go to each computer individually to set that up? Not if you’re using a domain controller.
Domain controllers might seem like a foreign concept to some companies, but it’s really a simple idea. They allow you to control and set security and access parameters for any device connected to your network, all from one single location. They have a few other benefits too, that we’ll discuss.
As innovators in business technology, Technology Visionaries seeks out the best applications and software to help companies work faster, securely, and more efficiently. Domain controllers are one of those “best kept secrets” that we bring to our clients.
Unsecure devices cause data breaches that cost businesses big time.
Data breaches cost companies on average $148 per each lost or stolen record that contains sensitive information. If 100 client files are stolen due to an unsecure computer on your network, that’s nearly $15,000 in costs.
Things like not keeping a computer updated with security patches, using an unsecure password, or not locking a screen when leaving a device can all contribute to cybersecurity risk.
We’ll go over how domain controllers can help you reduce your risks and keep all your devices secure, while also offering cost saving benefits.
What are Domain Controllers?
To get a better handle on what domain controllers are, let’s take a look at that first word, “domain.” A domain relates to a network that hosts several computer and devices.
Think of the domain as a master hub that all devices are connected to and that hub can control any device that’s part of the network. This includes things like:
- Computers
- Laptops
- Printers
- Security Cameras
- Servers
- And other devices
Those connected components are all registered in a central database located on the domain controller.
When you see the term “domain controller,” you’ll also see an associated term, “Active Directory (AD),” which is a directory service by Microsoft for their Windows domain networks. A server that runs the Active Directory Domain Services is known as a domain controller.
So, what can you do with this domain controller? We’ll get into that next!
Benefits of Using a Domain Controller for Your Business IT
Data is flowing all the time through several applications to multiple staff devices. Trying to manage security on each device individually is not only time consuming, it can be fraught with issues.
Domain controllers take the guesswork and hassle out of managing computers and devices on your network by “plugging them in” to one master system. This allows your administrator to put in safeguards, permissions and other access protocols remotely on each device.
Here are a few of the reasons that you should consider connecting your network to a domain controller.
Give Access Only to Those that Need It
One employee’s computer goes down, so they’re borrowing an inactive one while waiting on the repair. But, how do you know what permissions that computer may have? It’s not unusual for computers to be shared from time to time but how can you make sure access rights to sensitive files are set up correctly?
The domain controller allows you to create settings whereby users can log onto any computer that’s on your domain and their security privileges will follow them and be set automatically to any computer.
Avoid “Operator Error” Data Breaches
Operator errors, like unsecure passwords, is one of the main causes of data breaches. A data controller allows you to avoid too simple passwords by creating network-wide rules that require users to create unique and complex passwords.
Centralized Management Lowers Costs
Having the ability to set login and security parameters for all devices from a central hub reduces the time and cost of having to secure and configure each device individually, which can take hours as compared to just minutes from a domain controller.
Shared Computer Resources
Because you can set access privileges that are login specific, that means anyone can use any computer. This can reduce the need to buy new computers as often and also allows workers on shifts to use the same computer resources, reducing costs.
Easily Manage Network Printers
When several staff are using the same shared network printer, who’s printing what when, can get confusing. Domain controllers allow you to centrally manage print jobs and direct all that print traffic. You have with the ability to pause, purge, or restart print jobs.
No more needing to connect printers individually. Domain controllers allow for automatic installation of network printers on computers as soon as they join your domain.
Shut Down Unauthorized Access
Here are some of the valuable security controls you have access to by using a domain controller:
- Lock out user accounts with too many failed login attempts.
- Disable user accounts immediately when an employee leaves your company.
- Automatically set all computers to lock screen after a set period of inactivity.
- Require login passwords for locked screens.
- Restrict USB (flash drive) access per user permissions.
Get a Free Consultation on Domain Controllers!
Technology Visionaries offers free technical advice for businesses. Do you want to know exactly what a domain controller can do for your company? We’ll be happy to give you the lowdown on how it can help your business and how easy it is to set up. Call us today at 732-587-5960.