Category pillar
IoT/OT/IT Device Intelligence
What is agentless device intelligence?
Agentless device intelligence discovers, identifies and assesses connected devices through passive network observation, covering printers, cameras, industrial sensors, medical equipment and other systems that cannot run an agent.
IoT, OT and IT device intelligence. Technical guidance from My IT Channel for discovering and protecting devices that cannot run an endpoint agent.
What agentless device intelligence is
Agentless device intelligence discovers, identifies and assesses every device connected to a network without installing software on each one. It covers what EDR and MDM cannot: printers, IP cameras, industrial sensors, medical equipment, laboratory systems, legacy routers and any IP device that cannot accept an agent.
In a modern organisation, many connected devices do not support agents. A hospital may have imaging equipment with an operating system that cannot be patched. A factory may have PLCs installed fifteen years ago. A corporate building may have cameras and sensors added with the electrical installation. Each is a potential entry point and each is invisible to endpoint-only controls.
Problems it solves
Incomplete inventory. IT knows the servers and endpoints with agents; everything else lives in spreadsheets that age quickly. Device intelligence keeps the inventory current through continuous discovery.
Unknown devices. Security-provider cameras, IoT equipment purchased outside procurement and unauthorised personal devices all appear in discovery.
Uncovered vulnerabilities. Traditional scanning struggles with devices that do not accept credentials or standard protocols. Device intelligence uses manufacturer and model profiles to understand firmware and applicable vulnerabilities without touching the device.
Network segmentation gaps. Many IoT and OT devices share a VLAN with workstations. The platform observes real communication and proposes segmentation based on actual behaviour.
How it works
Passive discovery through traffic observation
The platform listens from a network tap or SPAN port, analyses flows, extracts protocol fingerprints and compares them with device profiles. It identifies manufacturer, model, version and function without sending packets or installing software.
Manufacturer context
Profiles are enriched with known vulnerabilities, recommended firmware versions and secure configurations. This provides a more accurate view of device posture.
Continuous posture assessment
Each device is compared with its expected profile: current firmware, normal communications and encryption where applicable. Deviations create findings prioritised by device criticality.
Network and SOC integration
The information helps network teams segment more accurately, helps the SOC correlate alerts with real assets and extends vulnerability management to devices that active scans do not see.
Where device intelligence is essential
Healthcare: imaging, patient monitoring, infusion pumps and laboratory systems. Manufacturing and OT: PLCs, SCADA, process control and industrial robotics. Retail: point-of-sale systems, cameras, shelf sensors and digital signage. Smart buildings: HVAC, access control, environmental sensors and connected lighting. Education: specialist laboratories, campus systems, tablets and large BYOD estates.
Device intelligence compared with alternatives
| Model | Covers agentless devices | Touches the device | Inventory updates | Typical annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic EDR/XDR | No | Yes, installs an agent | Covered assets only | Included in EDR |
| Active network scanning | Partial | Yes, sends packets | Per scan cycle | $15K–45K USD |
| MDM | Managed mobile devices only | Yes, requires enrolment | Mobile devices only | Included in MDM |
| Passive device intelligence | Yes | No | Continuous | $20K–70K USD |
Use cases
Private hospital inventories medical devices. A three-site hospital group knew less than half of its connected medical devices. Passive discovery revealed 780 additional devices, including twelve with critical exploitable vulnerabilities. The remediation team closed all twelve during the first four weeks.
Manufacturer discovers unauthorised OT devices. A month of observation revealed personal equipment and sensors connected outside procurement. The manufacturer mapped actual use and separated the OT network with continuous visibility.
KPIs
- Discovered devices versus officially registered devices.
- Current-firmware coverage for critical devices.
- Effective segmentation measured by reduction of unauthorised communication.
- Mean time to identify a new device on the network.
- Active vulnerabilities on IoT, OT and medical devices.
Frequently asked questions
Does it replace EDR?
No. It covers devices that cannot run an agent. The two layers are complementary.
Does it affect network performance?
Discovery is passive and listens to existing traffic; it does not add traffic to the network.
Is it safe for industrial OT?
Yes. Passive discovery does not touch control systems and is the safe method for inventorying OT without risking interruption.
How long until the first inventory?
Seven to thirty days produces a representative view. Complete coverage depends on network size and geography.
Does it integrate with firewalls and NAC?
Yes. When an unauthorised device is discovered, the platform can provide context or trigger quarantine through firewall and NAC integrations.
Does it support multi-site environments?
Yes, with local collectors and a unified console. This is common in retail and multi-site healthcare.
Can an MSSP offer this as a managed service?
Yes, particularly in healthcare and manufacturing where regulatory requirements create demand. See the MSSP programme.
How to get started
The initial conversation reviews network topology, business verticals and the presence of IoT, OT and medical devices. Request it from the demo page. A 30-day pilot often discovers a significant share of undocumented devices.
Control criteria: document the validation of IoT, OT and IT device intelligence, record the evidence and confirm operational closure before moving to production.
