• The Preventative Security Model – IGEL’s strategic framework aligning endpoint, security, and operational strategies.
• The Preventative Security Architecture – The hardened design foundation that removes attack vectors by default.

Now, in Part 3, we turn to how these ideas come alive at the edge — with the Adaptive Secure Desktop.

This isn’t a desktop in the traditional sense. It’s a role-based workspace delivery model — one that flexes to meet the needs of every user, while enforcing the principles of failsafe security.

It’s where strategy and execution meet the end user.

A Workspace That Adapts to Context

Modern work is dynamic. Users aren’t always in the office. Roles change. Risk levels shift. Yet most organizations still deliver the same desktop to everyone — and secure it the same way, too.

The Adaptive Secure Desktop flips that.

Instead of a one-size-fits-all OS, it delivers a context-aware workspace.

• Clinician in a hospital? Instant badge-tap access to virtual desktops with no local data.

• Retail associate at a kiosk? Locked-down browser mode tied to a single SaaS platform.
• Remote knowledge worker? Full desktop experience via DaaS, with security layered in via SASE and IAM controls.
• Contractor or M&A user? Temporary, policy-bound workspace spun up with limited permissions and app access.

The workspace changes based on who the user is, where they are, what device they’re using, and what risk profile applies — all orchestrated through IGEL OS and UMS.

Enforced by Architecture, Not Just Policy

What makes the Adaptive Secure Desktop different from traditional workspace delivery?

It’s not just a VDI session. It’s not just app publishing. It’s a security-first execution model, enforced at the OS level:

• Read-only system image: No tampering, no malware persistence.
• No local data: All access is to virtual or cloud-hosted resources.
• Hardware-rooted trust: Every boot verified, every component signed.
• USB controls and isolation: Based on role and context — not static policies.
• Dynamic access methods: Delivered based on persona — DaaS, SaaS, local apps, browsers.

And all of this is centrally managed through IGEL Universal Management Suite, giving IT full control without needing to touch the endpoint directly.

Zero Trust, Realized at the Edge

The Adaptive Secure Desktop is where IGEL’s Preventative Security Model meets Zero Trust execution.

• Every session is authenticated
• Every endpoint is validated
• Every action is governed by context

It allows customers to enforce their own Zero Trust policies — not just by integrating with IAM and SASE platforms, but by ensuring that every endpoint behaves as if it can’t be trusted until proven otherwise.

Consistency Without Complexity

From a single platform, organizations can:

• Support frontline, knowledge, and temporary users with precision.
• Deliver fast, reliable access to virtual or cloud apps — without compromising security.
• Scale globally with consistent policies, minimal overhead, and no reliance on constant patching or imaging.

It’s a future-proof foundation — built not just for what users need today, but for how work will evolve next.

The Takeaway

The Adaptive Secure Desktop is the practical delivery layer of IGEL’s Preventative Security vision. It translates strategic alignment and hardened architecture into a secure, streamlined, and personalized user experience.

This is where compliance, control, and creativity coexist. And it’s available now — through IGEL, through our ecosystem of IGEL Ready partners, and most importantly, through your own enterprise security and workspace vision.

Because transformation isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you deliver — securely, simply, and at scale.

For more information on the Preventative Security Architecture, the Preventative Security Model, and the Adaptive Secure Desktop, please submit the form below.

The post One Workspace, Every User – The Power of the Adaptive Secure Desktop™ appeared first on IGEL.

To celebrate #INWED25, we’re spotlighting three talented women, Ruth Hazeldine, Customer Experience Operations Manager; Emese Pogany, Technical Writer; and Katja Gröblinghoff, Team Lead – Customer Licensing, as they share their personal journeys in the field of technology. In this Q&A, each of these women reflects on what inspired them, the challenges they’ve faced, and the advice they’d give to the next generation of engineers.

Which skills do you believe are most essential for success in the current tech environment? 

Ruth Hazeldine: In Sales Operations, requirements analysis and problem-solving skills are essential. You need the ability to actively listen to problem statements and translate them into clear, actionable requirements. It is also valuable to be able to change your communication style to effectively engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Emese Pogany: As technology rapidly evolves, the ability to continuously learn and teach oneself new tools, technologies, or concepts is absolutely vital. It is also important to recognise when you’re stuck and seek help.

Katja Gröblinghoff: I think it is always a combination of being a specialist in your area and knowing the technical details on the one hand, and a self-confident attitude on the other hand, which includes being able to present yourself and being communicative.

Can you share a moment in your career when you felt especially proud to be a woman working in tech?

Ruth Hazeldine: When a third-party software vendor provided feedback to our VP of Customer Success, they highlighted how exceptional it was working with us due to the thoroughness of our testing process. It was clear that this was a subtle reference to my contributions, and I truly appreciate the recognition.

Emese Pogany: It was a home office moment when my niece saw me work and found it really cool.  She said she would also work like me when she grows up.  I realised then that I am showing her an example of what is possible as a girl.

Katja Gröblinghoff: When I was at university and studied computer science, I was one of the very few female students among several hundred students. Sometimes a professor asked us a question during their lectures, and I was one of the few students who could answer those questions. That made me proud—especially as a woman—and proved to me that I was in the right place.

What advice would you give to young women or girls considering a career in STEM?

Ruth Hazeldine: Ensure you’re addressing the underlying question behind the request. It’s crucial to understand what you’re developing to avoid investing time in a project that may end up not getting used.

Emese Pogany: Believe in yourself, be brave and stay curious. I think STEM is great because science doesn’t ask “who is thinking?”. We can all be great thinkers and problem solvers.

Katja Gröblinghoff: If you are interested in one of these areas, simply go that route and don’t think about how many male or female fellow students or colleagues there might be. They are all human. And I think it is most important to work in a field you like. Because you will likely do this most of your life.

Have there been any role models or mentors who’ve made a big impact on your journey?

Ruth Hazeldine: Irene Stenzel-Hampe was my role model; she was an amazing project manager who could retain huge amounts of information and talk to sub-projects in detail, and ask questions that enabled other people to think through the knock-on impact of today’s business decisions.

Emese Pogany: I had a physics teacher in primary school, who always admired my quick thinking but always criticised my complicated way of thinking. She challenged me a lot to become a better thinker. She was a great science teacher.

Katja Gröblinghoff: My math teacher at high school made an impact. She was brilliant and taught us a lot. And thus, I felt I could be brilliant and successful in STEM as well, regardless of my gender.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a woman in tech, and how did you overcome them?

Ruth Hazeldine: I initially struggled to provide high-level summaries of topics, often getting bogged down in the details. However, I overcame this challenge by seeking guidance from a mentor through the IGEL Mentorship Program, who helped me develop the ability to step back and focus on the broader picture.

Emese Pogany: One challenge I encountered, especially earlier in my career, was not always being taken seriously, partly because I look quite young. Despite being highly dedicated and serious about my work, I sometimes felt that my appearance led others to underestimate my capabilities. To address this, I took part in several communication training sessions where I picked up practical techniques, such as lowering my vocal tone and slowing my speech pace, which can project more authority. I began incorporating these changes initially without even realising it, and over time, I noticed a difference in how I was perceived. Whether it’s the shift in my communication style, the added experience, or simply growing into my professional presence, I feel that I’m now heard and respected in ways that weren’t always the case before.

Katja Gröblinghoff: I’ve often encountered situations where my input wasn’t acknowledged until someone else repeated the same point, then it was accepted without question. Overcoming this challenge can be difficult, but I’ve found that asserting myself more confidently, sometimes even just by speaking louder or with more emphasis, can make a difference.

Is there something you wish you’d known earlier in your career?

Ruth Hazeldine: 80% solutions that get used are better than 100% perfect solutions that never get used.

Emese Pogany: That I do need to challenge the “be quiet and try not to be in the way” status quo. What truly matters is the strength of the idea, not who it comes from. I’ve learned that speaking up, listening actively, and creating space for all voices fosters not only better outcomes, but also a more respectful and inclusive environment.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

Ruth Hazeldine: Work doesn’t have to be too serious…think of it as a game to be played and won!

Emese Pogany: Dare to be yourself at work, including your shortcomings. Not because that is the most profitable, but because that is the healthiest and it will make you happy on the long run.

What changes would you like to see in the next 5–10 years for women in tech?

Emese Pogany: While diversity in tech has improved in terms of representation, there’s still work to be done in truly valuing different perspectives and approaches. For example, for me, honesty is one of the most important practices in life and in business. It would be great to appreciate honesty as much as being smart and clever.

Katja Gröblinghoff: I would love women and men to be equally accepted especially in the higher management because I think here are even less women in that area then generally in tech roles.

At IGEL, we believe innovation thrives when it reflects the full spectrum of talent—across gender, background, and perspectives. IGEL4Women has hosted engineering-led panels at IGEL events throughout the U.S. and Europe, and champions representation across our Secure-by-Design OS initiatives, Adaptive Secure Desktop, and sustainability-focused development streams. We also proudly support International Women’s Day and Ada Lovelace Day, collaborating with external women-in-tech networks to broaden access and advocacy.

“As we observe International Women in Engineering Day, it’s heartwarming to consider the ongoing initiatives to create equitable growth opportunities for all,” said Kate Waddington, VP of HR for EMEA & APAC at IGEL. “We acknowledge the industry-wide challenges in promoting and retaining women in technology and are working to address these gaps. One way is through the IGEL4Women resource group, which has actively hosted panel discussions at IGEL events in the U.S. and Germany. We also sponsor activities each year for International Women’s Day and Ada Lovelace Day, and we actively participate in women-in-technology-focused events around the globe.”

Join the conversation: IGEL4Women is building a global network of engineers, designers, and tech leaders redefining secure, inclusive endpoints. Learn more or nominate a speaker for our next panel at IGEL Now & Next Frankfurt. We’re also hiring software engineers, QA testers, and cybersecurity architects committed to innovation and inclusion. Explore the available positions at IGEL Careers.

The post Celebrating the Contributions of Women in Engineering: Insights from IGEL4Women appeared first on IGEL.

That’s where IGEL’s Preventative Security Architecture comes in.

Beyond “Monitor, Detect, Remediate”

Traditional endpoints were designed for general-purpose use—built to accommodate consumers, gamers, and enterprises alike—not to meet the specific demands of secure enterprise environments. Today’s standard endpoint stack is designed to detect, monitor, and remediate threats — assuming that compromise is inevitable.

IGEL turns that assumption on its head.

The Preventative Security Architecture takes a fundamentally different approach — one that prioritizes designing out risk through immutability, minimalism, and policy enforcement at every layer of the endpoint experience.

This isn’t just a better way to secure IGEL OS. It’s a blueprint for customers to establish their own preventative security architecture — one that aligns with their Zero Trust journey, compliance goals, and operational realities.

The Core Principles of Preventative Security Architecture

The architecture rests on five pillars:

1. Immutable OS State: IGEL OS is locked down at the system level. Unauthorized changes simply can’t persist — or even run.
2. Zero Local Data: No data lives on the endpoint. IGEL endpoints are stateless — there’s nothing to exfiltrate or encrypt.
3. Secure Boot and Trusted Application Platform: Boot-time chain-of-trust backed by UEFI and TPM ensures only validated components load.
4. Minimal Attack Surface: A 2GB core footprint, with optional modules added only as needed — reducing vulnerability density.
5. Centralized, Granular Policy Control via UMS: Over 9,000 configurable settings. Enforce consistency without needing endpoint agents.

This is what “secure by design” looks like in practice — not theoretical protections, but tangible barriers that eliminate the opportunity for exploitation.

Your Preventative Security Architecture

This isn’t about locking customers into IGEL’s view of security. It’s about giving them a foundation to build their own preventative strategy — a Preventative Security Architecture that scales with their policies, their risks, and their compliance mandates.

Whether it’s:

• Rolling out a Zero Trust initiative,
• Aligning SOC frameworks such as NIST CSF or ISO 27001,
• Responding to rising ransomware threats
• Transitioning from Windows to a hybrid DaaS model,

IGEL’s architecture supports that journey. Not by dictating it — but by enabling it.

IGEL Ready – The Ecosystem That Powers It

Every strong architecture needs strong integrations. These are provided by the IGEL Ready program.

Through our expansive partner ecosystem, organizations can integrate leading Zero Trust, SSE/SASE, IAM, UEM and compliance solutions into the IGEL experience — natively. Partners like:

• Zscaler, Palo Alto, Netskope (for secure access)
• Microsoft Entra ID, Workspace ONE Access, Imprivata and Okta (for identity and conditional access)
• Island and Microsoft Edge (for browser-based workspaces)
• HP, LG, Lenovo (for secure and sustainable hardware endpoints)

These aren’t bolt-ons. They’re validated. Secure. Orchestrated. And ready to scale.

The Payoff – Simpler, Safer, Resilient

By adopting a preventative security architecture, enterprises can:

• Reduce risk – by removing attack vectors before they can be exploited.
• Reduce cost – by eliminating layers of endpoint agents and streamlining patch cycles.
• Reduce noise – by minimizing alerts and avoiding alert fatigue.
• Improve compliance – through posture-based access and centralized controls.

This is the architecture for the next generation of secure work — and it’s not just IGEL’s. It’s yours.

In Part 3, we’ll tie it all together with the Adaptive Secure Desktop — a dynamic, context-aware workspace delivery model that puts this architecture into motion for every user, device, and role.

The post From Reactive to Resilient – Inside the Preventative Security Architecture™ appeared first on IGEL.

Darren Fields, Vice President of UKI and International, is recognized for his strategic vision and leadership in driving growth and operational excellence across diverse markets. Allen Furmanski, Director of Product Marketing, brings extensive experience in driving digital transformation. Andy Prior, Senior Technical Product Marketing Manager, blends technical expertise with a personal touch. Last, but not least, Timo Siedenberg, Area Vice President for Channel Sales in the DACH region, leads with professional insight and a dedication to family values.

Join us as we explore their journeys as fathers, their perspectives on balancing work and family life, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

How do you balance the demands of your tech career with your responsibilities as a father?

Darren Fields: My Kids, Oliver and Emma, are now young adults at 21 &18. The focus has changed; their journey now is life choices, university, careers, travel, and relationships. I have to respect their independence, but stay connected the best I can, and be emotionally available for them. With Oliver, that’s an occasional brainstorm, or run something past me. With Emma, my Snapchat is running red hot most of the day. I always try to encourage them to do their best; that’s all you can ask as a parent. My role now is to be a mentor, a cheerleader, and a safety net when needed; I can do that wherever I am.

Allen Furmanski: Through prioritization, coordination with my wife, and context switching when required. My son is only two years old and goes to daycare. Sometimes I drop him off, sometimes pick him up, sometimes both. My wife and I usually tag team on parenting duties most mornings and evenings (when one of us doesn’t have other commitments). Some evenings I’ll continue working from my home office once he’s gone to bed, which is around 8 PM. I’m also very fortunate to have an incredible support system of family and friends nearby to help as needed.

Andy Prior: I’ve taught my daughter to do my job; she’s getting good at using ChatGPT to write blogs. I am lucky that here at IGEL, I can combine work time with the school run and have great support from family members while traveling.

Timo Siedenberg: I am trying my best to spend a lot of my spare time (especially Saturday and Sunday) with my family and do activities with them. I run (5k/10k distance) a lot with my older son Theo, who is 12, or go fishing with his younger brother Fritz, who is 7. On Sundays, we often go to the North Sea for a walk with the whole Siedenberg family.

What’s one thing fatherhood has taught you that helps you in your career?

Darren Fields: Patience means showing up, not giving up. As a parent, you see kids mature in different ways and at different times. As they grow, you celebrate many milestones, but also frustration, unpredictability, and slower progress than they would like. The advice you give does not always lead to immediate impact; things take time. This has helped me develop my skills in handling setbacks, leading teams with empathy, listening more, and reacting less. My dad would always say to me, “You have two ears and one mouth, and use them in that order.” That has always stuck with me both as a parent and in my career.

Allen Furmanski: Sometimes you must force yourself to get outside your comfort zone and make things happen.

Andy Prior: Don’t cry over spilt milk. (Or when your daughter is in the shower and blocks the plug with her toys and floods the downstairs kitchen.

Timo Siedenberg: I always give my sons a positive attitude. If something is not working, try again and again. At some point, it will work. That’s the same in business. Not everything works immediately, but giving up should not be an option.

What strategies or tools help you stay connected with your family during busy work periods or remote work situations?

Darren Fields: WhatsApp & Snapchat have become the two best ways I stay connected with my family. Even when I’m travelling on planes, I buy the Wi-Fi connection, and Emma and I will be messaging on Snapchat. The harder part is the time differences when the other side of the world, but we are always trying to message, send photos, and speak on a regular basis.

Allen Furmanski: It’s important to stay in touch. Send photos and video chat when you can.

Andy Prior: FaceTime. We FaceTime every day to sync up on what’s been happening at home and help get the internet working when it’s down—no YouTube kids when you are away is an issue!

Timo Siedenberg: It is my best friend and biggest enemy -> my smartphone. I am chatting with Theo and my wife (Svenja) via WhatsApp. Fritz is too small for it. We do regular phone calls. And there is one rule: When the phone is ringing and it’s a family member, I always pick up. Family first.

What advice would you give your children if they wanted to pursue a career in tech?

Darren Fields: Pursue a career for which you have passion and excitement. A career that challenges and motivates you. If that career is tech. Tech is always changing. Stay curious, adapt to the changes, collaborate and always be driven, kind, and humble. Your reputation will always matter.

Allen Furmanski: Don’t do it! No, seriously. I would tell my son to pursue a career in tech if that’s what he feels he is truly passionate about. Stay focused and always maintain a learning mindset.

Andy Prior: Be true to yourself, find something you are passionate about, and go for it.

Timo Siedenberg: To be honest, I never thought about it. Theo is aiming for a job as a teacher (but that can change, of course), and Fritz has already decided that he will be a firefighter (I do not think that this is going to change). But seriously, my advice would be to follow your heart and do something that you have a passion for. You will spend a huge amount of your time on it.

What IGEL workplace policies or company support have made it easier for you to be both a dad and a technology professional?

Darren Fields: Flexible working! Even as my role as a father has changed, I can be there when needed to support and be present for Oliver & Emma.

Allen Furmanski: I’m still only weeks into working at IGEL, but I can clearly see that the company is focused on its employees and their well-being, which obviously extends to the responsibilities as a father. I enjoy working from the Fort Lauderdale office and the collaborative spirit, though the option to work remotely when needed is so helpful. The benefits, including health insurance and a dependent care plan, are generous and give me peace of mind.

Andy Prior: Flexible working. I can nip to the school for parents’ evenings, school runs, flexibility when I’m in the office, Christmas plays, unexpected doctor’s appointments if she’s got something stuck up her nose, etc.

Timo Siedenberg: I have traveled a lot in the last twenty years. My family knows I like it that way and tolerates it. That is the most important thing. They know that I would be very unhappy with a “desk job.” Of course, the flexibility that IGEL offers, including a home office, flexible start and stop times, etc. is helping, but the “buy-in” from the family is essential.

What is your favorite thing about being a dad?

Darren Fields: I have loved being a dad through all stages. My kids are now young adults. I love watching them become their own person, what excites them, how they handle situations, relationships, etc. The conversations we have and the way they challenge me all the time! Being their safe place when needed, but mostly huge pride for the great people they have become.

Allen Furmanski: My favorite thing is spending time with my son and seeing him happy and smiling. As a father of a toddler, I’m most proud of my son learning anything new. As a technology professional for my entire career, I’m especially proud that I can entertain him with tech stuff (and fix his “tech toys” when needed).

Andy Prior: Being a dad and everything that comes with it, I love being a dad, seeing my daughter ride a bike for the first time, her first words, first steps, everything firsts. It’s like watching the best soap opera. So cool. Oh, and lots of hugs…

What are you most proud of as a father and as a technology professional?

Darren Fields: Oliver and Emma have grown into extraordinary individuals, kind, loving, and driven to make the world a better place. Seeing the people they’ve become fills me with pride, and I can’t wait to witness the incredible futures they will carve out for themselves.

As for my career, it has always been about the people. I’ve had the privilege of leading and growing organisations, turning teams around, building strong foundations, and fostering a culture where success thrives. Watching my teams flourish, both collectively and individually, has been the best journey so far. It’s not always easy, but I’ve stayed true to my beliefs, knowing that dedication, integrity, and a commitment to others are what really make a difference.

Andy Prior: Getting a daughter in the first place, I put it off for years, and I’m an older dad. When we decided to start a family, we found out we couldn’t; five years of assisted reproduction later, along came our daughter. In terms of work, I won Presales-Manager of the Year in EMEA and got to go to Hawaii; that was a cool experience.

Timo Siedenberg: My wife and I do our best to educate good human beings. And if we hear from other people that our kids are friendly, open-minded, and ready to help, then it makes me/us very proud. Theo is in the 7^th grade and is a school speaker, which is unusual because normally it is students from the 9th grade or 10th grade. But he was applying, and he was elected. It was his choice to take responsibility. Two weeks later, Fritz announced at home that he was elected class speaker in the 1st grade. Could I be more proud?

Just for fun: Who is your favorite fictional dad from TV, movies, or books?

Darren Fields: George Banks (Steve Martin) Father of the Bride

George is a protective, loving father who struggles to get his head around his daughter getting married, eventually giving her the best wedding. I loved the warmth and love from him and within the family. I’m not sure how I will feel when my kids get married, I know it will be huge pride and excitement for the next stage of their journey, and I hope for grandchildren one day!

Allen Furmanski: I’ll go with Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) from “Mrs. Doubtfire”.

Andy Prior: Darth Vader.

Timo Siedenberg: In the middle of the 80s, the German TV Channel “ZDF” showed the “Bill Cosby Show” for the first time. I really liked this TV family. Especially Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable seemed to be a very cool dad. And what should I say? Their oldest son was called “Theo”.

“At IGEL, we celebrate the whole person—not just the professional. We’re proud to support our team members in showing up fully for their families and their careers,” said Lori Thompson, VP of Human Resources, IGEL.

Supporting families is essential to building a thriving workplace, which is why IGEL’s U.S. parental leave approach includes paid time off for full-time employees and flexible options to ease the transition back to work. For birthing parents, this may include the opportunity to return on a part-time schedule while continuing to receive full pay. These benefits reflect our broader commitment to helping employees navigate one of life’s most transformative moments with confidence and support. Explore career opportunities with us.

The post Celebrating Fatherhood: Insights from IGEL Sales and Technical Leaders appeared first on IGEL.

This needs to be the era of designing for failsafe.

Instead of relying on detection and remediation, the endpoint must be built to resist compromise — integrated, intelligent, and inherently resilient. IGEL’s Preventative Security Model is the strategic foundation for that shift.

This blog series unpacks the full scope of IGEL’s security and workspace transformation strategy in three parts:

1. Preventative Security Model – IGEL’s unifying framework that aligns application access, security, and hardware strategy.
2. Preventative Security Architecture – The enforcement layer that operationalizes failsafe and becomes your organizations Preventative Security Architecture.
3. Adaptive Secure Desktop – A curated on-demand workspace that meets every user, role, and risk profile.

The Preventative Security Model

The Preventative Security Model (PSM) is IGEL’s approach to unifying modern endpoint strategies. It’s not an agent. It’s not a policy engine. It’s a philosophy — one that repositions the endpoint from a reactive risk surface to a strategic control layer.

And it’s built for a world that looks very different than it did five years ago.

The Endpoint Has Shifted — So Must Our Strategy

Enterprise computing has moved. Workloads have left the endpoint. SaaS, DaaS, and enterprise browsers now carry the weight of productivity. Users roam. Devices are fluid. Data must stay protected — without relying on where it physically lives.

IGEL is the constant in that transition. Both now and next.

The Preventative Security Model provides the framework that connects:

• Application access: Whether delivering full desktops, browser-based tools, native Linux apps, Progressive Web Apps, hybrid SaaS, or even Windows workloads, PSM enables five flexible delivery models — each tailored to user’s needs and risk posture.
• Zero Trust strategy: Zero Trust is a security model that assumes no user or device is inherently trusted and requires continuous verification of identity, context, and access for every interaction within a network. Zero Trust isn’t a product. You don’t buy Zero Trust from a single company. PSM integrates deeply with leading IAM, UEM, SASE, and SaaS vendors to enforce Zero Trust principles from the device outward for secure information access.
• Endpoint sustainability: With endpoints no longer requiring three-to-five-year hardware refreshes due to the simplified workloads, PSM supports long-term device reuse — particularly relevant as organizations scramble to meet Windows 10 EOL activities and deadlines, the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive(CSRD), and Environmental, Social and Governance targets (ESG)
• Operational flexibility: From remote onboarding to rapid reconfiguration during M&A, PSM provides the consistency needed to adapt at speed.

IGEL Ready – The Force Multiplier for the Preventative Security Model

PSM is powered by the IGEL Ready ecosystem — a diverse and growing network of partners across security, identity, peripherals, communications, and hardware. These aren’t just integrations. They’re certified relationships that extend IGEL’s strategy into enterprise environments at scale.

Through IGEL Ready, PSM supports:

• HP, LG, Lenovo, and other leading OEMs to ensure secure, performant hardware compatibility.
• Identity platforms like Microsoft’s EntraID, Omnissa Workspace ONE Access, Imprivata, Okta and Ping for integrated SSO and MFA.
• Security vendors including Zscaler, Palo Alto Networks, and Netskope for Zero Trust and SSE enforcement.
• Peripheral support for clinical, financial, manufacturing, government and retail workflows — including smartcards, speech mics, OT equipment, barcode scanners, document scanners and signature pads to name only a few.

Together, this ecosystem ensures that IGEL endpoints can sit at the centre of a modern, multi-vendor Zero Trust strategy — without friction, without fragility.

Strategic Outcomes Delivered

The Preventative Security Model is not just about securing endpoints. It’s about enabling enterprise transformation. Across industries, PSM is already delivering impact:

• Business Continuity: Fast recovery of compromised traditional endpoints utilizing the in-place hardware
• M&A acceleration: Standardize and secure diverse endpoint fleets across acquired orgs without rip-and-replace.
• Windows 11 readiness: Shift Windows to the cloud, maintain existing hardware, and simplify support.
• Sustainability, CSRD and ESG: Extend endpoint lifespan, reduce e-waste, and align IT with carbon reduction targets.
• Zero Trust execution: Connect policy enforcement from identity to device, in real time, at scale.

Where traditional endpoint stacks are reactive and bloated, PSM is lightweight, adaptive, and policy-aligned — a failsafe foundation for the cloud-first enterprise.

Next up: Preventative Security Architecture, where we explore how IGEL OS eliminates attack vectors and enforces failsafe security by design.

The post Rethinking Endpoint Strategy with IGEL appeared first on IGEL.

The retail sector continues to experience an increase in cyber threats, driven by outdated infrastructure, distributed environments, and expanding attack surfaces. Recent data breaches involving well-known brands such as Harrods, Marks & Spencer, Cartier, The North Face, and Victoria’s Secret have brought this issue to light. These events underscore the dynamic and complex threat environment that retailers face today. They also emphasize that retail is a key target for well-resourced and opportunistic threat actors.

In the last two years, the retail sector has experienced a substantial increase in cybersecurity vulnerabilities and breaches, leading to serious operational and financial ramifications. In 2024, 80% of retailers reported being targets of cyberattacks, with over half admitting a growing sense of vulnerability to these threats[1]. The frequency and severity of these incidents are increasing: retail data breaches grew by 18% year-over-year in 2024, with the average breach now costing $2.96 million[2].

Ransomware continues to pose a sizable threat, with the retail industry being the second most targeted sector for ransomware attacks in 2023 and the first half of 2024. In this timeframe, the U.S. retail sector reported 256 ransomware incidents in 2024, an increase from 206 incidents reported in the first three quarters of 2023[3].

Understaffed IT teams, high turnover, and a lack of cybersecurity training, particularly for temporary and seasonal staff, have heightened vulnerabilities. The repercussions of these breaches go well beyond immediate financial impacts. Business disruptions and the damage to their reputation can be considerable and profound.

Notably, 33% of retailers have faced regulatory action due to inadequate protection of customer data[4].

What is especially concerning about these incidents is their tendency to exploit vulnerabilities that could be addressed with effective preventive security measures. This highlights the urgent need for a more comprehensive and strategic approach to cybersecurity.

Traditional cybersecurity measures aren’t keeping pace

The retail sector’s IT infrastructure is inherently vulnerable. The attack surface is wide with thousands of distributed locations, outdated systems that are challenging to update, third-party connections, and the need for constant uptime. Additionally, the rise of e-commerce has turned retail into a 24/7/365 operation, placing additional strain on IT resources and creating more potential vulnerabilities. Furthermore, risks extend beyond retail stores—logistics, inventory management, transportation, and backend systems all present possible attack access points.

Traditional security tools have not kept pace with the evolving landscape of cyber threats. Many of these solutions were originally designed for static and centralized environments, making them increasingly inadequate in the face of fast-moving threats that can easily exploit vulnerabilities across distributed and diverse endpoints such as laptops, smartphones, and cloud services, which often fall outside the direct control of traditional security measures.

Once attackers access a network, they can move laterally within the system, navigating various connected devices and systems. This lateral movement can occur alarmingly quickly, often within just a few minutes, enabling them to disable critical services and infrastructure before a retailer realizes it has been compromised.

Preventative Security as a Strategic Shift

Today’s retailers require lightweight, efficient, and functional security within limited infrastructure. More importantly, they need systems that stop breaches before they escalate.

This necessitates a strategic shift from reacting to preventing threats, and one way in which retailers can improve endpoint security is by adopting IGEL’s Preventative Security Model.

For retailers, IGEL OS, the Secure Endpoint OS for Now & Next:

• Immutable, read-only OS: Reduces exploitability and eliminates persistence of malware.
• Centralized configuration management: Via IGEL UMS, enabling rapid policy deployment across distributed fleets.
• Boot chain of trust: UEFI Secure Boot through to application launch, validating integrity at every step.
• PCI-DSS alignment: Designed to protect PII and cardholder data, reducing compliance burden.
• Single sign-on integration: With platforms like Okta, Entra ID, and Ping Identity to enforce identity-driven access control.
• Peripheral and protocol compatibility: Ensures business continuity without compromising usability.
• Ransomware mitigation: Architectural safeguards lower both the probability and the impact of endpoint compromise.

Rethinking Endpoint Recovery for Business Continuity

For organizations still relying on traditional endpoints, recovery from a security event often translates to logistical disruption. Device reimaging, hardware replacement, and manual reconfiguration introduce significant delays—especially in distributed retail environments with limited IT presence. When laptops are compromised or encrypted by ransomware, recovery can require full device replacement, resulting in downtime, shipping delays, and high support overhead.

IGEL OS can be used to return services utilizing the compromised endpoint hardware in place. IGEL OS runs from a read-only partition with no local data persistence. Compromised endpoints can be quickly restored using IGEL USB Boot, Dual Boot, or managed hypervisor fallback methods. This eliminates the need for physical device swaps or complex reimaging workflows.

The result is a business continuity model that is immediate, scalable, and resilient—even in environments with constrained IT support. IGEL allows organizations to return to a known-good state in minutes, not days, reducing operational disruption and breach containment costs. When combined with centralized policy enforcement via IGEL UMS, this architecture ensures security and continuity across the entire endpoint estate—without increasing complexity.

Final Thoughts

Retail security leaders are no longer measured solely by breach prevention—but by how effectively they limit operational impact when threats materialize. The endpoint remains one of the most exposed surfaces in this equation. IGEL offers an architecture that reduces the likelihood of compromise and provides rapid continuity for traditional endpoints. For CISOs, adopting a preventative, resilient endpoint strategy is not just a security imperative—it’s a business enabler.

To learn more about IGEL’s Preventative Security Model and IGEL OS: The Secure Endpoint OS for Retail, click here.

[1] https://www.vikingcloud.com/blog/retail-cybersecurity-stats-threats-and-solutions

[2] https://www.nccgroup.com/us/is-your-retail-business-prepared-for-cyber-threats-this-2024-holiday-season/

[3] https://cyberint.com/blog/other/retail-threat-landscape-2024/

The post Redefining Resilience in Retail IT appeared first on IGEL.

Plastic pollution is a pervasive issue that affects every aspect of our environment, including our bodies, as we ingest microplastics. World Environment Day 2025 urges us to come together to tackle this critical challenge.

At IGEL, we believe everyone has a role in protecting our planet and reducing plastic pollution and waste. We are on a mission to enable sustainable IT by helping organizations reduce their IT carbon footprint by extending the useful life of their endpoint hardware.

Why sustainable IT is key reducing plastic waste

IT contributes to serious sustainability challenges across almost every industry. According to the UN’s fourth Global E-waste Monitor (GEM), a record 62 million tonnes (Mt) of e-waste was produced in 2022, up 82% from 2010. Furthermore, the report found that e-waste is on track to rise another 32%, to 82 million tonnes, in 2030.

The production and use of new electronic devices is exacerbating this problem. Just reducing the rate of new device purchases can alleviate a significant amount of sustainability drain, not to mention the clear CAPEX savings. Consider for a moment that 83% of a device’s total carbon footprint is produced during the manufacturing process. If we can slow down the adoption of new devices, it can greatly impact e-waste as well as our total carbon consumption.

Next, let’s examine the impact of end-user computing. Research shows that approximately 2.5% of our global emissions originate from end-user computing, and end-user computing devices consume 3% of the world’s power generation. This represents a significant burden on the Earth that we can influence.

IGEL supports sustainable IT by delivering energy-efficient IT solutions and forming strategic partnerships to reduce carbon emissions. Here are some of the ways we are making a difference:

• Extending Hardware Lifespan. We enable organizations to extend the life span of existing devices by optimizing with IGEL OS. This minimizes e-waste. Based on a recent study with Px³, extending the lifespan of 5,000 endpoint devices from 4 to 8 years with IGEL helps achieve a reduction in electricity usage by 157,550 kWh/y.
• IT Asset Disposal. IGEL also supports responsible IT asset disposal to mitigate e-waste and its health impacts. By backing social projects for device reuse and responsible disposal partnerships, including Sun Screen IT, we enhance IT sustainability.
• Energy Efficiency in IT Operations. By focusing on making responsible choices for energy-efficient devices and optimizing the resources utilized by IT and end users, we can reduce CO2 emissions and conserve energy. Selecting responsibly manufactured devices and enabling them to minimize power consumption through more efficient software, such as IGEL OS, can significantly contribute to this goal by reducing power use by more than 22%. Transitioning from Windows to IGEL OS can decrease device power usage by as much as 49%, further lowering energy consumption.
• Partnerships for Sustainability. Through our partnership with Plant for the Planet, together with our customers and partners, we have planted 21,502 trees and supported research in reforestation projects in Mexico, Africa and Indonesia.

Embracing Sustainable IT Beyond World Environmental Day

IGEL’s endpoint strategy for now and next enables enterprise IT to deliver secure, cloud-based digital workspaces that provide device flexibility, energy efficiency, and savings. This lowers greenhouse gas emissions and reduces e-waste.

Learn more about our vision to transform the way the world works and how we are creating better outcomes for people, organizations, and our planet.

The post Celebrating Sustainable IT on World Environment Day appeared first on IGEL.

We all know how crucial it is for clinical staff to access applications quickly and securely. Many healthcare organizations today are focused on centralizing their endpoint infrastructure through the adoption of Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS), Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), and enterprise browser-based applications.

These organizations want easy access to essential applications without compromising security, productivity, or patient care quality. And they need more flexible and adaptable workflows as they transition applications like electronic health records (EHRs) to the cloud.

Effortless, secure, and convenient

Enter IGEL, Imprivata and Omnissa – partners in innovation, providing a robust solution designed specifically for healthcare environments.

By integrating IGEL OS with Imprivata through the IGEL Agent for Imprivata, healthcare organizations can utilize No Click Access^TM  to their Omnissa Horizon® desktops or apps. This streamlined authentication process leverages proximity card technology, allowing clinicians to access their virtual desktops and applications with a simple badge tap.

This integration not only helps to shorten login times but also bolsters compliance with important security regulations, like HIPAA and GDPR. As a result, healthcare professionals can spend more time focusing on patient care, which directly enhances service delivery and leads to better patient outcomes.

Moreover, the collaboration between IGEL, Imprivata, and Omnissa offers additional valuable benefits. By combining the Omnissa Horizon platform with IGEL OS, healthcare organizations can enhance workflow efficiency and security. This powerful combination facilitates rapid, secure access to patient data and clinical applications from any device, enabling seamless roaming clinical workflows essential in both inpatient and ambulatory services settings.

Safeguard data, improve efficiency, reduce complexity, and costs

Traditional methods of detection, assessment, and remediation are not effective. Instead, healthcare organizations must prioritize preventive security measures.

IGEL’s Preventive Security Model minimizes the risk of data breaches and supports Zero Trust initiatives by ensuring sensitive information is not stored on the endpoint. This isolation and centralized user profile management through Omnissa Horizon greatly enhances organizations’ security posture, which is crucial given today’s serious data breach concerns.

Furthermore, the lightweight and efficient nature of IGEL’s secure OS platform allows healthcare providers to utilize laptops, thin clients, and even zero clients without the burdensome overhead of traditional hardware.

This approach:

• Reduces the cost of clinical workstations by 50-75% while bolstering security. IGEL OS operates in a read-only format with a small footprint, minimizing the risks associated with endpoint management and reducing the need for multiple security agents.
• Removes complexities associated with endpoint management. With the IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS), managing these endpoints becomes a breeze, providing healthcare IT teams with the tools they need to oversee a large network of devices.

What’s next?

In today’s digital world, healthcare organizations have a wonderful opportunity to adopt solutions that not only fulfill their operational needs but also enrich the experiences for both patients and providers.

IGEL OS is built for SaaS, DaaS, VDI and enterprise browsers.  By partnering with IGEL, Imprivata, and Omnissa, your organization can simplify workflows, strengthen data security, and enhance the user experience for your clinical staff.

Are you looking to transform your healthcare organization’s approach to digital workspace access? Discover how IGEL and our ecosystem partners can help your team deliver outstanding patient care with efficiency and confidence.

Register today for our upcoming webinar with Imprivata and Omnissa. Your clinicians deserve quick and easy access to the resources they need—let us partner with you to make that a reality!

The post Compliance Without Compromise; Trusted No-Click Access for Securing Healthcare Workspaces appeared first on IGEL.

The new research from Gartner, “Improve Business Continuity Using Desktop as a Service” is striking a similar chord with me. If the enterprise desktop place that we are living in today is so vulnerable, why don’t we just move to the place that is safer?

Stay with me..

The July 2024 CrowdStrike agent failure was a powerful example of the operational exposure most organizations still face. Gartner’s research “Improve Business Continuity Using Desktop as a Service” which references this incident,  highlights the strategic role of Desktop as a Service (DaaS) and cloud-hosted virtual desktops in minimizing downtime, and also the use, of what Gartner term a “thin client operating system”. But in doing so, it also highlights a prevailing mindset: **that we are designing the endpoint for failover, rather than designing for failsafe.**

Lets quickly tackle that term – “thin client operating system”. Now I’m looking at this it deserves its own blog, but – The term “thin client” is inextricably linked to the hardware. Search on the term “thin client” and what do you see? A page full of hardware. Wikipedia even states “a simple (low-performance) computer”. Ask an AI engine what the benefits of a thin client are and you’ll find improved security, lower TCO, improved reliability and uptime. Lets take those benefits (often, but not always, delivered by or enabled by the software – IGEL) and lets run them on any device,not just “thin clients”.

At IGEL, we believe in a more targeted, fit for purpose strategy: Yes, have a plan. Yes, embrace VDI, DaaS and browser. But first, ask: what if your endpoint was designed to minimize the risk of failure in the first place?

The Recovery Assumption: The Traditional Endpoint as the Failure Point

Gartner is right to emphasize preparedness. Failures—from agent misfires to ransomware—do happen. But implicit in the recovery model is the assumption that a traditional, built for every eventuality, writeable endpoint is the default (specifically calling out resetting it). And that means layering on security agents, patching, backups, and more.

IGEL, see the endpoint differently: not as something to defend with layers, but something to simplify and harden by design.

Security by Design: The Preventative Security Model

IGEL’s Preventative Security Model shifts endpoint thinking from detection and remediation to proactive prevention and simplification.

• Immutable, Read-Only OS: Stops tampering and malware persistence.
• No Local Data: Removes exfiltration and encryption targets.
• Cryptographically Verified Boot: Ensures the system starts in a known-good state.
• Minimized Attack Surface: Only the necessary components are delivered to the device.

This is not about claiming unbreakable software. IGEL OS is software after all. But it’s software architected with the principles of Zero Trust and attack surface minimization at its core.

Workloads no longer run at the endpoint

With applications increasingly moving away from the endpoint and into the cloud, and Gartner themselves predicting that by 2030 Secure Enterprise Browsers will be a central component of application access strategies, isn’t it time to rethink the endpoint? Isn’t this a point in time to redefine the enterprise endpoint – just like the Enterprise Browser is being redefined?

Business Continuity Begins with Fewer Incidents

Gartner is right: you need a business continuity plan. Virtual desktops and cloud scaling are essential. But we believe true endpoint resilience starts before recovery:

• Design devices that are difficult to compromise
• Limit what runs locally and how it’s accessed
• Deliver workspaces adaptively, based on user role and risk

Case in Point: Dual-Layer Resilience in Action

During the July 2024 CrowdStrike incident, IGEL endpoints remained operational and unaffected. Azure Virtual Desktops could be reset in minutes, as shared by Microsoft’s Scott Manchester—showcasing the agility of modern cloud workspaces. This isn’t applicable to AVD, but all DaaS providers. This combination—IGEL at the endpoint and workloads (DaaS, Enterprise Browser) in the cloud—represents a blueprint for secure, scalable, and resilient desktop delivery.

So (and you’ve been patient) if our destination, in the event of a compromise or failure, is a more resilient infrastructure, powered by a more resilient endpoint operating system and VDI, DaaS, or  enterprise browser – rather than go on holiday there, why don’t we just live there?

The post From Recovery to Resilience: Rethinking Endpoint Continuity in a Zero Trust World appeared first on IGEL.

Recently, we spoke with Yomira (Yomi) MacDonald, a Marketing Coordinator here at IGEL, about the challenges and benefits of balancing work and motherhood. With three years of experience at the company, Yomi shared valuable insights into how motherhood has shaped her leadership style, enhanced her patience, and taught her the importance of effective time management.

Her experiences reflect IGEL’s strong, family-centered culture and how the company creates a supportive environment for professional development and successful parenting.

Tell us about your role at IGEL. How long have you been with the company? What do you love most about working for IGEL?

Yomi: I’m a Marketing Coordinator here at IGEL, and I’ve been with the company for three years. What I love most about IGEL is the culture; it’s a great mix of teamwork, support, and positive energy that makes coming to work really enjoyable. 

How has becoming a mom influenced your approach to leadership, teamwork, or productivity?

Yomi: Becoming a mother has definitely made me more patient and intentional about approaching challenges. I’ve learned to stay calm under pressure, listen more actively, and lead with greater empathy, which has positively impacted the way I collaborate with my team and manage my time.

What does a “day in the life” look like for you right now — balancing motherhood and your role at IGEL? Are there any tips/tricks/hacks you have learned along the way that you want to share?

Yomi: Balancing motherhood and my role at IGEL have been a rewarding challenge that’s helped me grow both personally and professionally. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the power of effective time management. Now I’m intentional about prioritizing my little one, staying focused on work tasks, and most importantly taking care of myself. Even something as simple as a 30-minute break between meetings to recharge can make a huge difference.

How do you stay connected to your team while managing the demands of parenting?

Yomi: I stay connected to my team through consistent and open communication, whether it’s quick check-ins, team chats, or scheduled updates. Clear communication helps set expectations and ensures we stay aligned, even when juggling the demands of parenting.

What would you say to someone considering joining IGEL — especially a woman thinking about starting a family or balancing parenthood and career?

Yomi: I’d say come join the team! IGEL offers a supportive and accommodating environment where you can thrive in your career while embracing parenthood. As a mom, I’ve felt empowered to succeed both professionally and personally, thanks to the company’s understanding culture and genuine respect for work-life balance.

At IGEL, we believe that supporting families is essential to building a thriving workplace. That’s why our U.S. parental leave approach includes paid time off for full-time employees and flexible options to ease the transition back to work. For birthing parents, this may include the opportunity to return on a part-time schedule while continuing to receive full pay. These benefits reflect our broader commitment to helping employees navigate one of life’s most transformative moments with confidence and support. Explore career opportunities with us.

The post Leading with Empathy: Yomira MacDonald on Motherhood and Marketing at IGEL appeared first on IGEL.