Now, Desktop Central is equipped with USB device auditing feature that helps you to retrieve information about the usage of pen drives, CD’s or any other portable storage devices that might jeopardize company’s information.
The significance of USB device audit helps you to monitor devices present in the network. If you can get to access to details such as usage duration, Device instance ID, name of the user, etc. this can act as an excellent piece of information. Since, having information ahead of the time can save your organization from damages.
For instance, company policy might restrict usage of certain devices in office premises, such as ipod and as an IT technician it becomes imperative for you to monitor the type of device that has been used and make sure you will restrict users from violating the company policy.
If there is a data loss, knowing the type of devices the owner of the device helps you to pinpoint who is responsible for the event/action.
Desktop Central helps you to analyze all sort of significant information related to storage devices that can help you to track the device available in the network. With Desktop you can fetch details such as:
- Device Name
- User Name
- Device Type
- Usage Duration
- Device Instance ID
- Manufacturer, etc. for a complete understanding.
You can choose either summary or a detailed view that enables you to fetch rich information and can be exported to CSV file or PDF report immediately for further analysis.
For more about Desktop Central and its features visit:
I used this tool to block most of the USB options on a system. I am looking to see if this tool can also list/audit when a USB device is plugged in. Example being thumb drives, external cd rom etc. So devices blocked.. but the tool still recognizes a usb device was plugged in on my pc, then list in an audit log if someone was logged in, what time, etc.
Dear Chris,
Thank you for your query. Yes, you can audit and block the devices, which are being used. Also, the reports from Inventory tab will give you information such as device usage timing, day, duration, etc. I hope I have answered your query.
So currently i have everything blocked. But when i plug in any usb device.. the computer doesnt recognize it. which is what i want.. but the USB audit doesnt see anything as well.
If there is a way to audit when a “blocked” usb device is plugged in, how do i go about setting that up?
Hi Chris,
Yes, you are correct, currently Desktop Central does not show up information, if the usb device is plugged in the blocked system. We will take this as a requirement and depending on the priority, we will try to develop it in the subsequent builds.
How to use the USB Audit feature in DC.
Thanks in Advance
Hi Rohit,
Thank you for posting the query.
Option-1: Overall view in the network: You have to click->Reports. Under Reports category, you need to select “USB reports” option. It lists the Summary and detailed view of the devices connected/disconnected in the network.
Option-2: Computer view: You have to click -> inventory tab. Under that you have to click computer view-> Select a particular computer-> You can see an option called USB audit tab. Click that and you can view the details.
Note: USB audit feature is available from the BUILD NO: 80220
Regards,
Vijay Saradhi.
Hi,
Does auditing of usb usage includes what information has been copied from to the usb stick also ?
Regards
Hi,
Thank you for the post.
As of now USB device audit feature gives details on all sort of significant information related to storage devices, that can help you to track the device available in the networks. If you can answer the below questions, it will give us more clarity and we can add this requirement in the road-map.
1)Do you require information about the details of file such as file size, file name, etc. to be audited?
2)Are you looking for an information on files copied to/from the specific location?
3)Do you want to audit complete content that is being copied to the usb device?
4)Any other requirements would you like to mention?
Please let us know to serve you better.
Thanks and Regards,
Vijay Saradhi.CH.
Hi,
I want to audit everything copied to from usb devices or cdrom to prevent data leakage, Or You may add templates to audit specific file types like office files or video files etc.. and choose from and of course use reporting to view them.
Regards
Hi Samirkal,
Thank you for your inputs. We will take your feedback into consideration. Depending on the priority, we will try to develop it in the subsequent builds.
Thanks and regards,
Vijay Saradhi.CH.
Hi,
Maybe this comment thread is dead 🙂
But…
Is there any updated status on tracking files transferred to usb devices?
Hi Alexander,
Thank you for your request. We are bringing enhancements like (i) Real time alerts – instantly alerts admins via email when an end user connects an external device to a system (ii) Promptly notifies the end user about device restriction. We will let you know once we ship the file tracking feature.
Regards,
VijaySaradhi.CH.