Measuring Security Agent Impact on Desktop Images

February 26, 2024

In our recent webinar, we connected with industry vet and security expert Patrick Coble to discuss the impact of security agents in End-User Computing (EUC) deployments.

They discussed the challenges organizations face in managing security tooling and their impact on system performance and cost. They also shared insights from field tests and recommended optimizing security packages in EUC environments.

Recap of the Key Insights Shared:

• The primary challenges in EUC deployments revolve around cost and performance, with a direct correlation between the two.
• Including security packages can influence the performance and cost of EUC deployments incrementally or drastically.
• It’s imperative to conduct testing using your specific image and security package to ensure precise outcomes.
• Successful testing demands a systematic, repeatable process that allows for the incremental addition or removal of elements.
• Employing appropriate tools, such as Login Enterprise, to automate testing is essential for preemptively identifying and addressing potential issues.

Now, let’s dive into the top 3 takeaways you need to know about performance penalties during the image-building and management process.

Takeaway 1: Security agents can significantly impact EUC deployments
Security agents are essential for safeguarding systems but can significantly affect EUC deployments, impacting performance, density, and cost. The degree of impact varies depending on the specific security packages and configurations utilized.

Many organizations lack visibility or fail to quantify the impact of security agents on their desktops. Although they may notice performance degradation or density issues, quantifying these effects proves challenging and can escalate into more significant problems over time.

Even minor optimizations can greatly enhance user performance and reduce deployment costs. Consistent testing of various configurations is necessary to make well-informed decisions regarding the trade-offs between security and performance, and understanding the trade-off between security and performance is critical.

Takeaway 2: You need accurate, repeatable testing

Accurate and repeatable testing is essential in EUC environments, particularly when assessing the impact of security agents. However, manually conducted tests often produce inconsistent results, which impede the precise evaluation of different configurations.

Consistency is pivotal in testing. Human testers frequently struggle to maintain consistency, particularly when evaluating performance impacts. Ensuring the uniform application of workloads is crucial for obtaining accurate assessments.

Moreover, employing the appropriate tools is imperative. Utilizing the right tools for tasks such as endpoint protection or monitoring metrics in an enterprise setting can significantly streamline processes. By conducting testing, any performance degradation can be identified in advance, allowing for targeted adjustments.

Repeated testing allows organizations to establish a baseline and accurately measure how changes in security measures impact performance. This data-driven approach facilitates a more precise evaluation of the trade-offs associated with security decisions.

Takeaway 3: Balancing security and performance is key

In EUC environments, striking a balance between robust security measures and seamless performance is crucial. Overemphasizing either aspect can disrupt the equilibrium, potentially leading to increased expenses or reduced user satisfaction.

It’s essential to maintain a level of security that doesn’t drastically reduce the accessibility of the EUC environment. Finding the right balance is paramount. However, neglecting security measures poses significant risks. Regular patching and timely maintenance are necessary to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.

Data-driven testing plays a pivotal role in determining the most optimal security configurations. Without concrete data to support claims of reduced performance due to security measures, the effectiveness of such measures may be overlooked or dismissed. It’s imperative to articulate the impact of security configurations on performance accurately.

Perform Agent Impact Analysis with Login Enterprise

EUC teams often face a dilemma: while they lack control over selecting and configuring various agents, particularly security-related, they are held accountable for any resultant performance issues. This predicament leaves EUC teams without a measurable means to showcase the impact of these agents on performance, a crucial aspect in maintaining system efficiency and user satisfaction.

Learn how Login Enterprise can help you make informed decisions to maintain optimal performance when changing system tools and agents.