IGEL DISRUPT 2024 in Miami is right around the corner, where the dynamic IGEL Ready ecosystem will be on full display.

Whether you’re already an IGEL Ready partner or aspiring to become one, this event is your gateway to unlocking exciting opportunities and accelerating your journey with IGEL Ready in 2024. The IGEL Ready program is constantly evolving to meet the needs of our partners, and we have some exciting things planned in 2024 that we will share with you at the event.

1. Network with several IGEL Ready partners exhibiting at IGEL DISRUPT
   Over 25 IGEL Ready partners will sponsor and showcase their solutions at the show. From industry giants like HP, Lenovo, and LG to tech innovators such as Citrix, Microsoft, and VMware by Broadcom, the event covers a spectrum of endpoints, VDI, security, and DEX solutions. Attend breakout sessions or explore exhibitor booths to network with industry peers or discover technologies tailored to your business needs. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the IGEL Ready partners who are sponsoring  – please view the complete list here.
2. Attend the exclusive IGEL Ready Summit
   Kick off the week with an exclusive insider event tailored for our IGEL Ready family. Gain invaluable insights into our company strategies and 2024 plans directly from IGEL executives. This is your chance to align strategies, explore new opportunities, and deepen our partnership to serve our customers better. Reserve your seat now to be part of this invaluable session. Register here.
3. Dive into the all new IGEL Ready Developer Program
   Discover the all-new IGEL Ready Developer Program designed for independent software vendors (ISVs) keen on building applications for IGEL OS12. Learn about the program’s benefits, including extensive co-marketing opportunities and the chance to feature your app in the IGEL App Portal. Join our breakout session on April 30th at 2 pm to explore how you can leverage this program for maximum impact.
4. Apply for IGEL Ready awards and get celebrated
   Celebrate excellence and innovation within the IGEL Ready community by applying for the prestigious IGEL Ready Partner of the Year Awards. Recognizing partners demonstrating outstanding customer focus, active engagement, and global success, these awards are your chance to shine on a global stage. Applications are open until April 15, 2024, with winners announced during the IGEL DISRUPT 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to be celebrated – apply now!
5. Connect with the IGEL Ready team
   Our dedicated IGEL Ready team is here to support you. Whether you’re seeking guidance, sharing feedback, or exploring collaboration opportunities, we’re available for personalized discussions to help you maximize our partnership for mutual success in 2024 and beyond.

IGEL DISRUPT 2024 promises to be an event of unparalleled opportunities. We eagerly anticipate meeting you there to ignite meaningful conversations and drive impactful collaborations. Don’t miss out – secure your spot today!

For more information on the IGEL Ready program, please visit the IGEL Ready Showcase or contact the IGEL Ready team at ready@igel.com.

The post IGEL Ready: Five Ways to Make Waves at IGEL DISRUPT 2024 Miami appeared first on IGEL.

IGEL has transitioned from a mid-sized hardware manufacturer to a global leading innovator, delivering the secure enterprise endpoint OS for Now & Next. This transition and development is enabled by the experienced, skilled and diverse workforce.

To mark International Women’s Day, the IGEL4Women in Tech Employee Resource Group met with two of our female leaders, Andrea Illing and Divya Saggar.

Andrea Illing – Senior Marketing Manager, DACH

What leadership lessons have you learnt during your career?

In my career, I’ve learned that effective leadership is rooted in empathy, resilience, and the ability to inspire and empower others. Empathy has enabled me to understand and connect with my team on a deeper level, fostering a culture of trust and collaboration. Resilience has taught me the importance of navigating challenges with grace and adaptability, demonstrating to my team that obstacles are opportunities for growth. Lastly, empowering others by recognizing their strengths and potential has not only driven success but has also cultivated a supportive and innovative team environment.

How important is it for women to support each other in the workplace and what does that mean to you?

Support among women in the workplace is paramount. It means creating an environment where women feel valued, heard, and empowered to achieve their full potential. To me, it signifies the importance of mentorship, networking, and advocating for one another’s successes.

As a woman in a senior position in the technology sector what do you think are the most important characteristics to get you to that level?

To reach a senior position in the tech sector, I believe resilience and adaptability are key. The tech industry is fast-paced, so staying adaptable and open to learning new skills is crucial. Moreover, resilience has been vital in overcoming biases and challenges. Lastly, effective communication and leadership skills have enabled me to lead diverse teams and drive innovative projects successfully.

Based on your own experience working in technology, what advice would you give to women looking to progress in the tech industry?

The technology sector offers immense opportunities for innovation and leadership. My advice would be to embrace continuous learning, seek out mentors and allies, and not shy away from advocating for yourself and your ideas. Building a strong network and being proactive in your career development can open doors to these opportunities. Your unique perspective is invaluable in driving innovation and change.”

**************************************************************************************

Divya Saggar – Director IGEL Ready

What leadership lessons have you learnt during your career?

“Build your tribe.” The most important lesson I’ve learned is that to be a good leader, you need to empower your people. Provide your team with the tools and the trust they need to perform to their full potential and you will instill confidence and belief in your leadership. Lead by example and be kind. Give people a hand up rather than a kick down. This will get you to where you want to be and, at the same time, enable you to surround yourself with people who trust you and who will always have your back. I’ve also learned that you can learn just as much, if not more, from the people and teams you are leading as they can learn from you. 

How important is it for women to support each other in the workplace and what does that mean to you?

“Pass on the legacy by mentoring.” Supporting other women provides opportunities for mentorship and the creation of positive role models. By sharing experiences, knowledge, and guidance, women can help each other navigate professional and personal challenges. This mentorship can be invaluable in helping women progress in their careers, build confidence, and achieve their goals.

As a woman in a senior position in the technology sector what do you think are the most important characteristics to get you to that level?

“Never give up and keep your team motivated.” Since an early age, I have always enjoyed setting and striving to achieve goals for myself, even if this has forced me outside of my comfort zone. And now, with years of experience, I realize that it is much more enjoyable to accomplish something together with your team. Nothing is more satisfying in business than working together as a team to overcome challenges and barriers along the road to success.

Based on your own experience working in technology, what advice would you give to women looking to progress in the tech industry?

“Be confident in being yourself.” Be true to yourself. You do not need to be a version of someone else to be successful. Be you. Go for what you want, and do not be afraid to ask for the opportunity to prove yourself. Find out your “special sauce” and use it to your advantage. Time and again, take moments to reflect on the successes you’ve had and what achievements you are most proud of. Use these to guide how you shape your career.

Over the years, have you encountered any barriers to your success or growth as a female leader?

“Find your workaround.” There are always going to be barriers to achieving your goals. And these have not just emerged in my career but in everyday life as well. I’ve learned that, instead of trying so hard to knock down barriers, it’s often better to walk around them. I’ve done a lot of that in my life, and I’ve learned over time that can be a much faster path to achieving my goals.

Can you share a book or podcast that has inspired you?

“The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor.” The book describes how happiness is actually a work ethic, and how we can incorporate positivity into our work life for better outcomes. This seemed a very interesting and life-changing concept to me. We become more successful when we are happier and more positive, not the other way around.

*******************************************************************************

If you would like to influence the future of technology, be part of IGEL’s journey, and are looking for a role in the tech industry that embraces equality and offers equal opportunities then take a look at IGEL Careers.

The post International Women’s Day 2024: Interviews with IGEL Leaders appeared first on IGEL.

IGEL Technology has been a bastion of secure endpoints for over two decades.  In the Spring of 2023, the company introduced IGEL OS 12, it is the first modular endpoint operating system designed for accessing desktops and applications running in the cloud.

Every aspect of IGEL OS 12 was built and runs with security first.  From the boot process to application authentication, the IGEL Preventative Security Model ensures that devices running IGEL OS 12 are secure and have not been compromised.

Years ago, IGEL recognized that the move to a cloud-first approach applications and workloads was accelerating.  Desktops, applications, data, and identity would live in the cloud… or at the very least, be accessible through the cloud.  Working securely in this new world would require an endpoint device designed to fit this purpose, and IGEL is delivering through its state-of-the-art OS that is filled with security features.

Integration with Workspace ONE Access

One of these features is IGEL Single Sign-On.  Integration with Workspace ONE Access delivers a seamless user experience whereby a device running IGEL OS is configured to authenticate users directly against their organizations Workspace ONE Access identity provider.  The IGEL OS device boots directly to the organization’s Workspace ONE Access login screen and is not usable for any purpose until a valid user is authenticated and authorized.

An IGEL OS 12 device configured to use Workspace ONE Access will be familiar to the user, displaying the Workspace ONE Access login screen.  Once authentication is complete, the user enters the IGEL desktop, and an OAuth 2 access token is created for connecting the user to applications.

From the IGEL desktop, the user is authenticated by any application that supports OAuth 2 provided the application is a registered client in Workspace ONE Access.  Most often, the IGEL application running locally is a browser that connects to the Workspace ONE Access Catalog.  Any application launched from the Catalog will use the same OAuth 2 authorization code flow that was initiated when the user was first authenticated using IGEL Single Sign-On.  Of course, when the user is done working and logs off the IGEL desktop, all OAuth 2 tokens are destroyed. It is a beautiful thing!

IGEL and Workspace ONE will be introducing more integrations throughout 2024 to further enhance secure access to applications and data, including working with Workspace ONE UEM to support conditional access, advanced application access through the Horizon Cloud Services next-gen platform, and support for industry-specific workflows like those in healthcare and financial services.  So, keep an eye out for new feature announcements by IGEL and Workspace ONE.

Visit IGEL at HIMSS 24 in booth #4362 on March 11 – 15 in Orlando.

The post IGEL and Workspace ONE Up the Ante When It Comes to Workspace and Endpoint Security appeared first on IGEL.

1. Proactive Prevention: Break free from the reactive security paradigm with IGEL’s Preventative Security Model. Instead of waiting to detect and remediate threats, IGEL focuses on prevention, thwarting attacks before they even begin.
2. Seamless Cloud Migration: With cloud workspace solutions becoming the norm, IGEL makes migrating Windows to the cloud a breeze. Its OS effortlessly transforms any x86-64 device into a highly secure endpoint, paving the way for seamless cloud connectivity.
3. Ransomware Resilience: Shield your endpoints from the ravages of ransomware attacks. IGEL ensures that even if your organization falls victim, endpoints remain unscathed, allowing swift recovery and business continuity.
4. Data Security Assurance: Bid farewell to local data storage woes. IGEL OS ensures that no sensitive data resides on endpoint devices, aligning seamlessly with stringent privacy compliance standards.
5. Attack Surface Reduction: Trim down your attack surface with IGEL OS’s modular design. By eliminating unnecessary features, IGEL fortifies your defences, making infiltration a daunting task for malicious actors.
6. Effortless Updates: Say goodbye to update headaches. IGEL OS’s modular architecture streamlines updates, keeping them minimal and specific. Take full control of updates, bolstered by stringent security measures.
7. BYOD and WFH Confidence: Embrace remote work without compromising security. IGEL OS empowers your workforce to thrive from anywhere, ensuring robust security for BYOD and WFH scenarios.
8. Integrated Security: Bid adieu to cumbersome security add-ons. IGEL OS’s Linux-based, read-only, secure boot nature renders additional security measures obsolete, simplifying your security landscape.
9. Simplified Management: Navigate endpoint management effortlessly with the Universal Management Suite (UMS). Configure and manage thousands of endpoints seamlessly, thanks to UMS’s intuitive interface and granular control.
10. Tech Ecosystem Integration: Harness the power of IGEL’s extensive technology partner network. Seamlessly integrate cutting-edge technologies for cloud, VDI, authentication, and more, ensuring future-proof security solutions.

+1  Sustainability: Go green with IGEL. Slash energy consumption by 22% across all endpoints and prolong their lifecycle, reducing e-waste and bolstering your ESG commitments.

With its unwavering commitment to simplicity, unbeatable security, environmental consciousness, and unparalleled support, IGEL OS emerges as the undisputed champion of endpoint security for now and next.

Check out the security tip sheet

The post Ten plus one Compelling Reasons Why IGEL is Your Ultimate Endpoint Security Solution appeared first on IGEL.

Leon Beitsch is an IT visionary currently serving as IT System Administrator at Mölders Holding GmbH. The Mölders Holding GmbH is responsible for the Mölders Group, consisting of 5 building materials stores and 11 hagebau (DIY) stores in northern Germany.

Leon Beitsch has already gained considerable experience in the IT sector since starting his career just five years ago. In 2018, he began his training as an IT officer, successfully completing it in May 2021. He has been working as an IT administrator for Mölders Holding GmbH since June 2021, and when the head of his IT department resigned in May 2023, he took over the tasks of IT project and IT department coordination.

Throughout his time at Mölders, he has successfully managed, planned, or executed multiple IT projects, such as procuring new thin clients for the entire company in 2020, the technical realization of a major location renovation from 2020 to 2021, and executing the modernization to all cash systems, including new self-scanning checkouts, in 2023.

For his accomplishments, Leon has received several awards, including IGEL Community Insider, IGEL VIP, IGEL Community Member of the Year 2022, and most recently, IGEL EUC Maverick. “I am grateful for the opportunities I have had and take great pride in the recognition I have received for my accomplishments,” says Leon.

How I use IGEL: Repurposing hardware, increasing work efficiency, reducing e-waste and lowering costs

 As an IT administrator at Mölders, Leon oversees the company’s IGEL OS-powered endpoints. Additionally, he supervises IT field operations across the organization’s 16 locations in northern Germany.

“After replacing our outdated Windows 10 IoT thin clients in 2020, we deployed thin client endpoints running IGEL OS 11,” Leon explains. “These devices are now used primarily as shared workstations, and for sales purposes.”

He adds, “We are also repurposing decommissioned Windows 10 notebooks that are no longer compatible with Windows 11 or do not meet our business requirements. We convert these notebooks to IGEL OS 11, with a long-term plan to transition these devices to IGEL OS 12. We have also successfully recycled approximately 30 devices, transforming them into home-office notebooks or dedicated video conferencing devices.”

Leon says that all these efforts combined are designed to help Mölders reduce electronic waste and lower capital expenditures.

Why I choose IGEL: Seamless, secure, customizable

Mölders currently has 300 Windows PCs and servers and 350 IGEL OS-powered endpoints across its 16 locations. “Efficient management plays a crucial role in ensuring the seamless and secure functionality of our workspaces,” says Leon.

He explains that IGEL’s read-only operating system, automatic updates, and security alerts through IGEL Security Notices (ISN), help his team ensure the security of Mölders’ digital workspaces.

“To keep things simple, we leverage the extensive customization of the system and/or user interface to deactivate unnecessary features and provide only essential functionalities,” he says, adding, “When using IGEL for remote session logins, it saves the last user and displays device information on the desktop through Conky displays, making it easier for users to communicate any issues with our support team. In addition, we have customized the user interface to align with our corporate design.”

Leon also says that IGEL’s excellent manageability and strong adaptability bring significant value to Mölders by saving time and resources. “By automating various tasks such as registration, license distribution, and configuration assignment, we can deploy endpoint quickly and easily,” he explains. “Compared to setting up a Windows 11 endpoint that takes approximately 1-2 hours, we can complete the setup of an IGEL OS endpoint in just about 10 minutes.”

He adds, “For a simple or shared workstation, I would always choose an IGEL OS endpoint instead of a Windows 11 endpoint. I highly recommend that anyone trying to create a secure and easy-to-manage digital workspace environment explore the IGEL ecosystem.”

Leon is grateful to be recognized as an IGEL EUC Maverick. “This honor means a lot to me, and I’m genuinely thrilled about it,” he says. “Joining the IGEL Community has been a highly rewarding experience for me, as it offers valuable information, excellent support, and a warm and enjoyable environment.”

About the EUC Mavericks Program

IGEL is where it is today with the thousands of IT professionals who use our industry-leading, software-driven solutions to deliver secure, productive, and cost-effective digital workspaces to organizations around the globe.

To recognize and honor these individuals for their many contributions, we launched the EUC Mavericks program in 2021. EUC Mavericks are at the top of their game, “CHALLENGING EVERYTHING” in delivering cutting-edge IT services.

IGEL inducted Leon Beitsch into the EUC MAVERICKS HALL OF FAME in January 2024.

HASHTAGS:

#EUCMaverick

#IGELCommunity

#IGELInsider

The post A Day in the Life of an EUC Maverick: Leon Beitsch appeared first on IGEL.

It’s clear from the headlines that today’s approach to endpoint security isn’t working: take your OS, install antivirus, the latest XDR and DLP, make a lot of settings, harden that with custom scripts, install your applications, keep updating those applications and the OS and the AV and DLP….. and hope that all these steps keep the wolf from the door and the ransomware out of your systems.  Does your business financial data, personal health information or any other data feel secure?

With many of today’s workloads moving from the endpoint to SaaS, DaaS, VDI or being accessed through secure browsers, and many organizations looking at how to apply Zero Trust, isn’t it time to re-evaluate the endpoint?

What if you could put an endpoint OS into your workforce’s hands that was designed for the cloud-first world that doesn’t need high levels of care and feeding to remain healthy? Something that is more robust by its nature, that had built-in preventative components or measures, as in “Prevention is better than cure.”?

IGEL OS applies a number of core principles that make it a secure choice as an endpoint OS – the Preventative Security Model.

A Safe Place for Your Data

The best place for your business data is definitely not on the endpoint device that could be lost, stolen, left on a plane,   Put your applications and data on servers in a data center – whether you call this approach server-based computing, VDI, cloud, DaaS or SaaS. Windows and its applications run great there, SaaS applications have proven to be more secure than the endpoint – patched by professionals, constantly updated, protected by network security, physical security, fire protection, uninterruptible power supplies, backup, failover…

With this approach, your endpoint can run a minimal system that excels in securely enabling access to your hosted workloads. The endpoint now holds nothing of interest for an attacker – ticking the device box for your Zero Trust review.

Encrypted

The configuration information which is the only item of potential value is stored by IGEL OS on a separate disk partition encrypted with industry-standard AES256 in XTS-plain64 mode with 512 bits of key material. If your hardware supports TPM 2.0, IGEL OS will use it to protect the encryption keys.

Read-Only Is Robust

The rest of IGEL OS, its Linux operating system and the programs, are mounted read-only. This means that a user  – or malware – can’t change them by mistake or by ill intent. And it also means that malware can’t find a foothold there and persist. Its solid Linux foundation kept NHS hospitals using IGEL OS functioning when many others were brought down by the WannaCry malware wave that affected Windows in 2017.

Additionally, all the disk partitions on IGEL OS are cryptographically hashed and signed. This guarantees they come from IGEL and have not been tampered with. The signatures are checked on every boot, during runtime, and before you install a system update or an IGEL OS app. Also, IGEL uses UEFI Secure Boot with a signed bootloader and Linux Kernel to make sure the booted system is trustworthy.

Endpoint Control

Besides this core OS robustness, IGEL’s Universal Management Suite (UMS) lets you lock down every IGEL’s endpoint to control everything from a system’s network configuration to when the screensaver and screenlock kick in. With the IGEL App Portal, you install only what your staff need to do their work, and nothing more. IGEL native apps are available from Citrix, VMware, Imprivata, Cisco, Okta and more.  IGEL OS logs can be forwarded to your SIEM of choice integrating with your monitoring and alerting frameworks for familiar and coherent visibility.

Restore and Update Fast

It is also easy to replace an IGEL OS endpoint that has failed: IGEL ships from the factory on HP, Lenovo and LG devices, or you can IGEL an existing device that you may have to hand within a matter of minutes. A complete factory reset on the existing hardware will pull down its latest configuration and apps from UMS and is ready to be used.

Due to the much smaller IGEL OS footprint, a full system update finishes within a few minutes and can be scheduled outside office hours using UMS. IGEL’s failsafe update keeps the previous system as a fallback should the update fail, maybe because of a power cut. This means that an IGEL OS device will always be able to boot, get on the network and keep employees productive.

Tested and Trusted

To make and keep IGEL OS secure IGEL has a dedicated Security Team and employs a Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SSDLC) that covers all steps from the idea and design of a new feature up to its release in a new product version. It contains in-house tasks as diverse as threat modeling, design review, code review, static and dynamic application security testing and documentation. Additionally, we have all our software undergo independent penetration testing by external providers every year.

Save Time, Money and Nerves

This is, in very short terms, the Preventative Security Model of IGEL OS. It is supported by a company with more than 20 years of experience in end user computing and Linux – a company with the experience and knowledge to support you. IGEL will help you save time, money, and nerves, despite the ever-increasing crescendo of security issues clamoring for your attention.

The post Preventative Security for your Endpoints – Prevention Is Better Than Cure appeared first on IGEL.

1. Enterprise IT continues its march away from running workloads at the endpoint, and embraces SaaS, DaaS, VDI and secure browsing
2. A move to Windows 11 will be top of mind for organizations in 2024. Not only are Microsoft recommending moving to running Windows in the cloud, they are also calling out Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 in their earnings announcements as surpassing $1B in revenue
3. Cyber-security remains atop the headlines in terms of policy, ransomware attacks, and the impact of AI
4. 2024 sees the start of mandatory sustainability disclosures in the EU. While wholesale greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting is not mandatory in the US, many organizations are actively reporting on sustainability and California’s Climate Accountability Package enforces mandatory scope 3 reporting on any organizations with revenues of more than $1B that does business in California.

Building on our rich history of engineering excellence and industry partnerships, as we enter 2024 IGEL is uniquely positioned to help organizations meet the challenges outlined above while also reducing IT spend.

Here’s how:

Redefine Endpoint Security.

IGEL’s Preventative Security Model eliminates the endpoint vulnerabilities targeted by bad actors. IGEL Endpoint OS supports Zero Trust and SASE initiatives through:

1. Read-Only OS. Users cannot unwittingly (or wittingly) download and install malware to the endpoint.
2. No local storage of data. No customer, patient, financial or other information can be downloaded to the endpoint or exfiltrated through attached USB devices. This ensures lost or stolen devices do not create a breach investigation, or that malicious internal users are not able to surreptitiously steal data.
3. Trusted Application Platform. A secure boot process ensures no code has been tampered with. A reboot returns the device to a known good state enabling organizations to confidently restore services in minutes rather than weeks or months from a cyber-attack
4. Authentication, SSO Integration and SASE. IGEL partners with the leading authentication vendors including Microsoft, Imprivata, Okta, Ping Identity, VMware and Citrix to integrate with broader standards. We also partner with SASE and Secure Service Edge partners to optimize Zero Trust implementations
5. Modular Design. At just 2GB, IGEL OS is a much smaller attack surface than a traditional endpoint OS. IGEL OS 12 only contains what the user needs to accomplish their tasks. Additional functionality such as partner integrations with Citrix and VMware, the above security vendors and more, can be downloaded from the IGEL App Portal.

Focus on Vertical Solutions

IGEL recognizes that the challenges, workflows, governance requirements and necessary integrations can be unique across industries. We have formalized partnerships and deep integration with the major software and hardware partners in each industry vertical. IGEL is utilized by many of the largest organizations around the world including:

• Healthcare & LifeSciences: 5 of the top 5 hospital groups in Europe. 5 of the top 10 biggest Healthcare providers in the US. Many of the world’s largest Healthcare Payers/insurers and 5 out of 10 leading pharmaceutical manufacturers
• Manufacturing – 10 of top 10 in Europe. 4 of the top 10 in North America
• Retailers: 5 of the top 10 North America
• Finance: 3 of the top 10 Banks in Europe.
• Government: Used across Federal such as Defence as well as State & Local government around the world.

Minimizing TCO and Maximizing Sustainability

An analysis of real-world customer deployments from IGEL’s TCO tool reveals that before IGEL, the total cost per endpoint device including the tangibles such as device purchase, software, deployment, management etc. is approximately $1000 per device per year over a 4-year period (assumes a device refresh every 4 years). With IGEL, we are able to reduce those costs between 50% and 75% (sometimes more) through:

• Removal of the various security and management agents that need to be selected, purchased, tested, deployed, managed etc.
• Enabling the purchase of devices with less powerful processors as the applications and workloads have been moved to SaaS, DaaS or VDI
• Extending the lifecycle of the endpoint from 3 to 5 years to 6 to 8 years.

With organizations assessing whether Windows 11 in the cloud is the best option, implementing IGEL can help optimize budget spend away from the constant endpoint budget drain, to a more sustainable cloud first approach. Please contact IGEL for your customer TCO analysis

The Power of Partnership

IGEL is a partner centric company. From leading software and hardware companies, including Citrix, Microsoft, VMware, Lenovo, LG, and HP, to vertical specific partnerships including Imprivata. Through these collaborations, we can provide tailored solutions that meet requirements unique to each of our targeted industries.

IGEL is also a 100% channel-focused company. Our channel partners are a cornerstone of our business, and we are fully committed to cultivating and maintaining strong partnerships with them.

Shaping the Future of Endpoint Security and Management

In 2024, IGEL will once again host the End User Computing event of the year, DISRUPT. IGEL DISRUPT 24 will be held in Miami from April 29 to May 1. We fully expect this to be the largest event ever and will be joined by the biggest names in the EUC and Security universe. We will also host a second event in September, IGEL DISRUPT EMEA in Munich.

Looking Forward to 2024

The end-user computing market is, arguably, ripe for its biggest shake up in almost 30 years. IGEL, with our technology and channel partners, is leading the change, helping our customers meet their security, cost and sustainability goals. Reflecting this, and as a symbol of our excitement in, and commitment to this market, you may have noticed that the IGEL.com website now reflects our new branding, messaging and excitement for the year ahead.

We look forward to working with you on shaping your endpoint security strategy both for now, and next.

The post Revolutionizing the Enterprise Endpoint OS: IGEL’s Game-Changing Approach to the Secure Endpoint OS Now and Next appeared first on IGEL.

The IGEL App Portal opens possibilities for third-party software vendors to package and make apps available for the IGEL OS. Technologies like ControlUP Edge DX and Remote DX, deviceTRUST, and Liquidware Stratusphere UX have been added as the IGEL App SDK has been made available for Application vendors. Many more to come!

IGEL released the IGEL Windows 365 App, enabling easy access to Microsoft Windows 365 resources, and continues to evolve Windows 365 access together with IGEL Azure Virtual Desktop App.

IGEL has built and released the new IGEL Imprivata Agent, which makes IGEL OS the only endpoint OS enabling Imprivata Tap-and-Go for Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop.
The IGEL Imprivata app also Tap-in to VMWare Horizon, and full support for Citrix Cloud and on-prem is around the corner.

With the new structure of IGEL OS, more use-cases are fulfilled. IGEL OS is now the ideal operating system for cloud-delivered workspaces, on-premises delivered Desktops and Apps and extends with “browser only” and local apps workflows.

During 2023, what everyone in the past referred to as Citrix was joined and split up into separate business units under the name of Cloud Software Group, where Citrix is one business unit, NetScaler is one, XenServer is one, etc. IGEL has a strong business relationship with Citrix and sees that the tech release avalanche that Citrix released is mind-blowing. So many new innovations have been released over the past year and integrated into Citrix Workspace App for Linux and IGEL OS. Citrix has also switched the focus from “Cloud only” to Cloud and On-Prem = Equals, working on feature parity and giving the customer the choice of where to run the workloads. Hybrid approach! From what I see with Citrix, there is no “One fits all” anymore. Good evolution!

On that note, Broadcom has acquired VMWare, and there is a market vacuum about what will happen with VMWare EUC. Hopefully, the VMWare Horizon (EUC) value will be valued by another organization and continue its long-term success as a VDI platform.

What’s intriguing to think of when it comes to Cloud vs. On-Prem is that Citrix CVAD/Daas and VMWare Horizon/Horizon Cloud have been making efforts to give the customer the Hybrid choice, Microsoft also has an answer: Azure Stack HCI, and with the ongoing development on Azure Virtual Desktop on Azure Stack HCI Microsoft is also acknowledging the hybrid choice. You might ask yourself why does anyone need on-prem when you have the hyper-scalers to run your workloads? The simple answer is twofold – Latency and legal requirements of the organizations.
Let’s quickly break this down: Latency – Depending on the type of workload you are delivering, low latency is key for good End User Experience. It can be about accessing local peripherals but also about delivering Rich media session streams. Think about the complexity of delivering multi-screen 4K resolutions at 60 frames per second; latency will be devastating. The legal side of things? Can governments put workloads and data in a cloud originating from another country?

With all the changes in the market that have been going on during 2023, this has also affected #Community. Looking at IGEL Community, it’s a growing resort for people discussing ideas and challenges. It is such a valuable platform, as when digging deeper into IGEL, what you see on the surface when test-driving the OS and management, there is so much more on the capabilities. When you start looking at scripting and customization, the IGEL Community is a resource to count on! The IGEL community grew 10% YtD in 2023.
Some of the Citrix User Groups announced changes from the CUGC brand to more of an EUC forum. I’ve seen that in the Nordics and the UK, at least. Citrix also announced changes to CUGC.

On a personal level, when it comes to community activities, I have been recognized by Citrix to become a CTP (Citrix Technology Professional) for my work in sharing knowledge with the community. IGEL also recognized me for my contributions and awarded me to become an IGEL Community Insider. I added my renewal of Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) for my third year and my NVIDIA NGCA (NVIDIA vGPU Community Advisor) for my fifth year.

The #AI revolution has started! Microsoft made an enormous footprint in making AI available for anyone, anywhere. Just look at Bing Chat. It gives anyone access to AI datasets and the possibility to leverage the new technology. Then, Co-Pilot rolled out to virtually all apps in the Microsoft portfolio. You are right; Microsoft wasn’t the main driver in the early stages of AI, though, by tight collaboration with OpenAI, they rapidly extended the AI use cases. All were announced at Microsoft Ignite mid-November -23. I’d say it has started!

IGEL has been going through organizational changes over the last year, including adding Klaus Oesterman as CEO and making significant changes to the leadership team. Exciting to see the changes in market focus. Keep your eyes out for all the changes that are in the pipeline!

So, what about 2024? My view of what’s coming!

IGEL will undoubtedly continue expanding the IGEL APP Portal portfolio. More apps from 3^rd party software vendors will be made available. I’m thinking of Enterprise Browsers as they will play a more prominent role going forward. I know that we will see a remake of IGEL OS desktop GUI (Graphical User Interface) that takes the User Experience to a new level. We have already started to see usability improvements in IGEL OS supporting the mobile use case, and that journey will accelerate. Of course, IGEL will continue to update the Apps we package for OS 12.

I have seen numbers of 700 Million Windows 10 machines still alive. Those 700M (?) devices are facing the EOL of Windows 10 in 2025. It’s mind-blowing to think about the IT waste that will be created for all the machines that need to be replaced, as the hardware requirements for Windows 11 are different and more demanding. IGEL has the solution for you, together with Virtualization technologies and the delivery of virtual apps and desktops. What if you re-image your Windows 10 devices that will go out of support and instead put your Windows desktop in a data center, be it in the cloud or on-premises? You will be able to extend the lifetime of your existing machines and save lots of money, as you won’t need to buy new hardware. Your budget changes from CAPEX to OPEX and will be much more predictable. Did you know that somewhere around 85% of the carbon footprint results from the manufacturing and shipping of the unit? By not “rip and replace” your hardware, you will contribute to a greener world. Yes, some of the devices might need to be refreshed, and over time, devices need to be refreshed. That’s why IGEL is teaming up with manufacturers like Lenovo, LG, and HP. When the time comes, you will replace your hardware units with slimmer devices, again contributing to less emissions.
The race for Windows 11 upgrade will have to increase rapidly in 2024 for corporations to have a chance of avoiding running unsupported operating systems at mass in late 2025, which is a jeopardizing game. Hybrid work will continue to evolve, and I’m sure you want to ensure your users have a trouble-free endpoint in their hands. IGEL OS gives you good protection from Ransomware and other rouge code.

I believe we will see an extension of offloading technologies as optimizing the User Experience is still becoming more requested. New Microsoft Teams has just been released, indicating that new technology is coming to the virtualization EUC space.

The evolution of AI will probably introduce more players in the market on the GPU side. NVIDIA is leading this space, though I believe AMD and Intel can potentially deliver alternatives. At Microsoft Ignite, Satya Nadella announced Azure Maia AI chip. It will be interesting to follow this evolution!

IGEL will extend its MSP (Managed Service Provider) offering to expand its footprint in this segment. Broadening the usability and the licensing possibilities will be key to success.

I look forward to seeing more niche players in the IGEL App Portal as diversity adds value. I’m looking at Parallels RAS, HP Anywhere, Amazon Workspaces, and others. Would be really interesting to see more alternative VDI offerings. Citrix has a nice integration with Linux Desktops and Apps for VDI. ThinLinc is already part of the IGEL App Portal, which gives you Linux VDI. I’m also looking forward to seeing more local apps offered, where we today have Zoom, for instance. Why not give every customer the possibility to package their own apps?

With that said, I wish you happy holidays, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! See you in 2024!

/Fred

The post O’Boy, what a year! 2023 is almost in the books; let’s look in the rearview mirror. appeared first on IGEL.

Recently, we demonstrated IGEL OS for healthcare environments in our offices in Augsburg, Germany, in partnership with deviceTRUST, HP, Lenovo, and LG. The purpose of the event was to showcase the importance of future-proofing IT environments to provide the best possible patient care. Our team presented various concepts, technologies, and solutions that can meet the strictest requirements for safety, availability, and cost-effectiveness, which are vital in the healthcare sector.

During the event, we asked attendees about the most critical challenges facing healthcare organizations today. Their responses highlighted the importance of remote work, security, and cost pressure. Attendees emphasized the need for secure end devices and stable systems to support remote work. They also noted that on-site presence is still required for medical care. Furthermore, they stressed the importance of transparent login to ensure user acceptance of security measures, with data security being a top priority. Other important points raised included managing endpoints outside the network, the importance of manageability, and the need for two-factor authentication and biometric tokens for client security.

Ransomware is an ongoing threat

When asked about the specific challenges and opportunities for their organizations in 2024, attendees’ responses included the need for ISO certification and process customization to mitigate risks. Ransomware was identified as an ongoing threat, which in one case is being addressed by implementing LAN segmentation, zero trust mechanisms, and attack detection software. To prevent unauthorized executable files, one organization is restricting users from launching these types of files. The company is also implementing software solutions, such as XDR, training employees/raising awareness on cybersecurity, and deploying thin clients to improve protection.

When explaining the ransomware threat, one attendee who uses Citrix in combination with IGEL OS and Windows 10/11-powered endpoints said: “Our systems are largely protected from attacks and unauthorized access by technical measures such as firewall, proxy, 3-stage filtering of emails with a sandbox for email attachments, MFA, conditional access and administrative measures such as a role-based authorization concept and much more.”

The user is still the weakest link

They continued, “We regularly have penetration tests carried out to uncover security gaps and vulnerabilities, which we can then specifically close. In addition, all user data is secured via a system that technically prevents the backups from being compromised. There is no such thing as 100% security if people have access to the systems – the user is always the weakest link in the security chain. Ultimately, it is a matter of time when it hits us. However, we feel quite well prepared with our security measures.”

Overall, attendees enjoyed the event, with one organization saying, “The lectures were very interesting, and the customer presentations were very good. It was a relaxed environment for the exchange of ideas with manufacturers and customers.”

For more information on how IGEL is helping healthcare organizations achieve better patient outcomes with a simpler and more secure end-user computing approach visit:  https://www.igel.com/customer-stories/healthcare/.

The post Experts Share Insights on Securing Healthcare Environments at DISRUPT on Tour appeared first on IGEL.

The post Citrix Device Posture service is now available for IGEL OS! appeared first on IGEL.