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Your asset inventory isn’t just a list, it’s one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools in your cyber security strategy. That was the key message from our recent webinar with Armis, where we explored how smart asset management can help organisations improve resilience, reduce risk, and demonstrate compliance in a constantly evolving threat landscape.
If you missed the webinar, you can watch the recording below:
Beyond The Spreadsheet: Using Asset Management As A Security Asset.
Asset inventories are often treated as static lists, useful for audits but rarely seen as anything more. But in reality, your inventory is a live, dynamic dataset. And when it’s used properly, it can uncover risks, highlight vulnerabilities and help you respond faster to emerging threats.
In this session, we were joined by Andy Norton, European Cyber Risk Officer at Armis, who shared how leading organisations are using asset intelligence to proactively strengthen their cyber defences. With over 20 years of experience, and a history of advising global regulators and boards, Andy provided practical insights into turning inventory data into actionable security intelligence.
Regulations Are Shifting — And So Must Your Strategy.
With frameworks like NIS2 and DORA raising the bar for cyber security, compliance is no longer about ticking boxes. It’s about proving that your security controls are both appropriate and proportionate to your risk profile.
As Andy explained, “You’re not fined for being breached, you’re fined for not doing what you should have done.” That’s why a growing number of organisations are adopting a more strategic approach to asset management, one that integrates compliance, governance, and real-world risk reduction.
The ‘Long Tail’ Problem: When Unknowns Become Your Weakest Link.
One of the most eye-opening moments of the webinar was Andy’s discussion of the ‘long tail,’ the large number of lesser-known, often unmanaged devices that lurk beneath the surface of most environments.
These devices are rarely covered by patching or vulnerability management tools, and often fall outside of security policies altogether. They pose a quiet but serious risk, and the only way to address them is to bring them into view.
From Visibility To Action: Putting Asset Data To Work
When you understand your assets, what they are, where they sit, and how they behave, you gain context. And with context comes control.
That clarity allows you to:
- Detect rogue or misconfigured devices quickly
- Prioritise vulnerabilities based on actual asset risk
- Filter out false positives and focus on meaningful alerts
- Build more effective policies for detection and response
Andy shared examples of how asset intelligence is helping organisations refine their detection capabilities, reduce alert fatigue, and improve their ability to respond proactively to potential breaches.
Culture makes the difference
Perhaps the most important takeaway? The biggest barrier to effective asset management isn’t technical — it’s cultural.
When teams work in silos, use different tools, or lack a shared view of risk, it becomes almost impossible to make meaningful progress. But when organisations align around a common framework, such as the IG3 risk profile from the Center for Internet Security, they create the cultural foundation needed for mature, effective cyber security.
Start Small. Think Big. Move Forward.
Whether you’re at the beginning of your asset management journey or already looking to enhance your capabilities, the message is clear: the better you know your environment, the stronger your defences will be.
With the right approach, asset intelligence becomes more than just another process — it becomes your foundation for compliance, resilience, and long-term security maturity.
If you are looking to enhance your organisation’s asset management strategy, we would be pleased to support you. To speak with our team about how we can help you turn your asset inventory into a strategic security asset, please get in touch with us.
For further guidance, we also recommend exploring our comprehensive resource: Asset Management Chapter. It is a practical reference designed to help you move from reactive asset tracking to proactive, intelligence-led asset management.