2025-12-08 The Model Context Protocol (MCP) inside Graylog delivers explainable AI assistance to the SOC, addressing the failure of fully autonomous tools. MCP enables faster, friction-free investigations by linking natural language queries to logs, enforcing governance, and providing verifiable context. This system helps security teams combat AI-orchestrated threats efficiently, yielding tangible ROI.
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2025-12-05 Ransomware attacks surged 47% through Q3 2025, reaching 6,330 cases. The US, SMBs, and the manufacturing sector remain the top targets. This rise is fueled by Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) and led by groups like Qilin, emphasizing the need for stronger employee training and data backup.
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MINNEAPOLIS, December 2, 2025 — Perforce Software, the DevOps company for global teams seeking AI innovation at scale, announced the launch of a new app on the Atlassian Marketplace: Gliffy Diagrams | Zero Egress & Isolated Cloud-Ready.
The application is specifically designed for security-focused teams operating in Atlassian Cloud or those planning a seamless migration from Atlassian’s Data Center products.
Gliffy Zero Egress ensures that all diagram data remains strictly within the customer’s Atlassian environment. This crucial feature makes secure cloud diagramming possible for Atlassian users who have strict data control requirements and regulatory mandates.
The new app is also being developed for compatibility with Atlassian’s Isolated Cloud product suite, which is scheduled for release in 2026.
[Image of Zero Egress security model diagram]
“With end of life for Atlassian’s Data Center products coming in 2029, it’s more important than ever for our Data Center customers to be able to move to the Cloud without compromising on security and compliance. Our new app empowers teams to continue diagramming securely in the Cloud while meeting compliance standards.”
— Samie Delebo, Head of Product & GTM, Gliffy at Perforce Software
The transition to the new app will be frictionless for current Gliffy users, requiring no additional training or onboarding. The Gliffy Diagrams | Zero Egress application features the same interface as the standard Gliffy Diagrams, with minor variations in advanced features designed specifically to prevent data from leaving the customer’s Atlassian environment.
Gliffy Diagrams | Zero Egress & Isolated Cloud-Ready is available now on the Atlassian Marketplace. To learn more about how this solution can support your secure cloud migration, visit the Gliffy website.
About Perforce
The best run DevOps teams in the world choose Perforce. Perforce products are purpose-built to develop, build and maintain high-stakes applications. Companies can finally manage complexity, achieve speed without compromise, improve security and compliance, and run their DevOps toolchains with full integrity. With a global footprint spanning more than 80 countries and including over 75% of the Fortune 100, Perforce is trusted by the world’s leading brands to deliver solutions to even the toughest challenges. Accelerate technology delivery, with no shortcuts.
About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.
Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.
2025-12-04 A Configuration Management Database (CMDB) is the data foundation for ITSM, providing a centralized “source of context” by mapping relationships and dependencies between all IT resources (Configuration Items/CIs). CMDB software uses automated discovery, consolidation, and service modeling to accelerate incident resolution (MTTR), improve change risk assessment, and ensure compliance (ISO 27001, NIS2).
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While modern encryption (like HTTPS) has made wholesale surveillance significantly harder, it hasn’t completely blocked visibility for the network owner. They still control the gateway between your device and the open internet, giving them a privileged view of your traffic’s metadata. We’ll examine the technical details of router logs, DNS requests, and the limits of HTTPS encryption to show you exactly what they can capture and the reliable steps you can take to truly control your data.
The router is the central chokepoint. If logging is enabled (common in business or public settings), the owner can capture your traffic’s metadata—the information about the data, rather than the data itself.
| What a Wi-Fi owner can see | What a Wi-Fi owner cannot see |
|---|---|
| Websites visited (full domain names via DNS) | The content of secure (HTTPS) pages |
| Time and duration of visits | Your login credentials or passwords |
| Specific web pages on unencrypted (HTTP) sites | Search queries on secure search engines (e.g., Google) |
| Data usage and device information (MAC address) | Your activity within secure websites (e.g., banking transactions) |
www.example.com) via DNS lookups, even if the session is encrypted.When you use a private browsing window, you achieve local anonymity: the browser deletes your history, cookies, and temporary site data from your phone. Incognito mode is a courtesy for the next person who uses your physical device.
However, the moment your device sends data packets onto the internet via Wi-Fi, your browser mode has zero effect on the network owner’s hardware. The traffic still exits through their router, where the logs live.
The Wi-Fi owner is just one entity. You should be aware of other major players actively logging your online journey:
To take control of your digital footprint and hide your browsing destination from network administrators, you need proactive steps:
This is the single most effective action. A VPN encrypts all traffic leaving your phone before it reaches the router. The network owner only sees an encrypted, indecipherable connection to a single VPN server, rather than the multiple websites you’re visiting.
HTTPS (the “S” for secure) ensures that even if traffic is intercepted, the data you send (like messages and form submissions) is scrambled. Always look for the padlock icon in your browser’s address bar. Assume everything you do on an HTTP-only page is visible to the Wi-Fi owner.
While a VPN hides your destination, a password manager is the critical layer defending your online accounts. It ensures that your core login credentials are unique, complex, and safe inside an encrypted vault, protecting you even if you accidentally enter details on a malicious phishing page.
Assume the domain names you visit and your high-level internet history are visible to the network owner. Relying on simple private browsing won’t change this fundamental reality.
About NordPass
NordPass is developed by Nord Security, a company leading the global market of cybersecurity products.
The web has become a chaotic space where safety and trust have been compromised by cybercrime and data protection issues. Therefore, our team has a global mission to shape a more trusted and peaceful online future for people everywhere.
About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.
Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.
Secure Socket Shell (SSH) is the global standard for remote server management and confidential system-to-system communication. It relies on strong encryption and authentication to protect critical infrastructure. However, the protocol is only as secure as its implementation. Default configurations, simple password use, and unmanaged SSH keys create serious vulnerabilities that attackers actively seek. This guide moves past the basics, focusing purely on the non-negotiable, advanced practices required for a layered, Zero Trust environment.
SSH is a cryptographic network protocol that ensures secure communication. It uses strong algorithms like Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to protect data during remote logins. While port forwarding offers convenient access (e.g., accessing an office desktop from home), these channels must be closely monitored to prevent unauthorized access.
SSH solves security and operational challenges simultaneously:
A strong protocol requires disciplined implementation. Be aware of these key failure points:
To achieve true SSH security, layer these non-negotiable controls:
Completely turn off password authentication. Enforce key-based authentication using public key infrastructure. Keys are cryptographically complex and eliminate the majority of automated brute-force attacks, simplifying your fundamental SSH security.
2FA is your essential security blanket, even for key-based access. It requires a second rotating code from a separate device (something you are or something else you have). This means that if a private key is compromised, the attacker still cannot gain access without the time-sensitive code.
Change the default TCP port 22 immediately to a non-standard number. While this is primarily security through obscurity, it instantly stops the vast majority of simple, untargeted automated scans, cleaning your logs and allowing you to spot truly targeted threats faster.
Restrict SSH access only to the necessary users using configuration directives like “AllowUsers.” More effectively, use a Cloud LAN solution to restrict access based on user identity and connections originating only from your trusted virtual network IP range. This shields your access from the public internet entirely.
Keys do not expire automatically and are a persistent risk. Regularly audit the “authorized_keys” file on all SSH servers to ensure every public key belongs to an active user. This prevents forgotten keys from serving as persistent, unauthorized access points for departing personnel or contractors.
Manually enforcing all these best practices is complex. A modern Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution like NordLayer automates this management and provides layered protection.
NordLayer handles the heavy lifting, providing continuous verification, network encryption, and centralized access controls necessary for modern SSH security.
About Nord Security
The web has become a chaotic space where safety and trust have been compromised by cybercrime and data protection issues. Therefore, our team has a global mission to shape a more trusted and peaceful online future for people everywhere.
About NordLayer
NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses – from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security.
The web has become a chaotic space where safety and trust have been compromised by cybercrime and data protection issues. Therefore, our team has a global mission to shape a more trusted and peaceful online future for people everywhere.
About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.
Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.
When people envision cybersecurity, they often default to a highly technical, male-dominated image. The reality, particularly at events like the recent Ženy v kyber (Women in Cyber) conference in the Czech Republic, paints a different picture—one focused on stories, curiosity, and the determination to enter a new field.
We were proud supporters of the event, as diversity is a core principle at GREYCORTEX. Approximately one-third of our team are women, playing vital roles across every department: development, product, marketing, sales, and technical support. Each of them followed a unique trajectory into cybersecurity. Let’s explore what brought them here.
The journey into cybersecurity is rarely linear. Some arrive naturally, while others find their way almost by chance.
Minh, a developer, was drawn by the field’s broad scope—from mathematics and cryptography to programming and data analysis. “What drew me most,” she says, “was that the work has real impact, even on a national level. And, of course, I liked the idea of using my analytical mind to fight the bad guys.”
Aja, our marketing manager, started by coincidence after writing about tech companies during parental leave. “When they later opened a marketing role, I didn’t hesitate,” she laughs.
Regardless of their starting point, the consensus is that the field’s fast pace and energy keep them engaged. As Monika, our Country Manager for Poland, notes: “I like people, and I like when things happen, and in cybersecurity, things are always happening.”
Cybersecurity is not exclusively reserved for people with traditional technical degrees. What truly counts is persistence, curiosity, and a dedication to lifelong learning.
Irina from our marketing team shared, “The beginning was tough. I had to dive into the tools and really understand how cybersecurity works. I’m still learning every day, but that’s exactly what makes it exciting.”
Though outdated stereotypes of cybersecurity being solely a “men’s field” are fading, many women still encounter them in professional and everyday situations.
Bára, a security analyst, recalled an instance when a shop assistant only accepted her complaint about a faulty router after she meticulously listed every technical test she had already performed on the device.
Saša from the product team experienced similar subtle bias at university, which, rather than discouraging her, served as a strong motivator: “Those moments motivated me to keep improving, to be consistent, and confident in my work.”
From the HR perspective, there is growing awareness of the value women bring. Ira from HR states, “I often hear that teams want more women because they bring a different way of thinking and communicating.”
At GREYCORTEX, success is measured by results and expertise, not background or gender. Women on our team lead major projects, design products, analyze network traffic, and run international business operations. They find respect, equal opportunities, and space to grow.
When asked what draws people to the field, conference participants cited remarkably similar answers: constant learning, variety, and the feeling that their work has a tangible, real-world impact.
What resonated most was the sense of community. Behind the complex systems are people who share knowledge and support each other, underscoring that security is fundamentally about collaboration and trust.
Ira from HR summarizes this well: “HR in IT is the ideal mix for me. You need to understand technology, but also know how to help teams grow and work together.”
The message from the confident, curious, and inspiring women of GREYCORTEX to anyone considering the field is clear:
At GREYCORTEX, we prove every day that diverse perspectives make teams stronger, more creative, and ready for any challenge ahead.
About GREYCORTEX
GREYCORTEX uses advanced artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data mining methods to help organizations make their IT operations secure and reliable.
MENDEL, GREYCORTEX’s network traffic analysis solution, helps corporations, governments, and the critical infrastructure sector protect their futures by detecting cyber threats to sensitive data, networks, trade secrets, and reputations, which other network security products miss.
MENDEL is based on 10 years of extensive academic research and is designed using the same technology which was successful in four US-based NIST Challenges.
About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.
Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.
MONTREAL, BRATISLAVA — December 2, 2025 — ESET researchers have identified new MuddyWater activity primarily targeting organizations in Israel, with one confirmed target in Egypt. The victims in Israel were in the technology, engineering, manufacturing, local government, and educational sectors. MuddyWater, also referred to as Mango Sandstorm or TA450, is an Iran-aligned cyberespionage group known for its persistent targeting of government and critical infrastructure sectors, often leveraging custom malware and publicly available tools, and has links to the Ministry of Intelligence and National Security of Iran. In this campaign, the attackers deployed a set of previously undocumented, custom tools with the objective of improving defense evasion and persistence. New backdoor MuddyViper enables the attackers to collect system information, execute files and shell commands, transfer files, and exfiltrate Windows login credentials and browser data. The campaign leverages additional credential stealers. Among these tools is Fooder, a custom loader that masquerades as the classic Snake game.
In this campaign, initial access is typically achieved through spearphishing emails, often containing PDF attachments that link to installers for remote monitoring and management (RMM) software hosted on free file-sharing platforms such as OneHub, Egnyte, or Mega. These links lead to the download of tools including Atera, Level, PDQ, and SimpleHelp. Among the tools deployed by MuddyWater operators is also the VAX One backdoor, named after the legitimate software which it impersonates: Veeam, AnyDesk, Xerox, and the OneDrive updater service.
The group’s continued reliance on this familiar playbook makes its activity relatively easy to detect and block. However, in this case, the group also used more advanced techniques to deploy MuddyViper, a new backdoor, by using a loader (Fooder) that reflectively loads MuddyViper into memory and executes it. Several versions of Fooder masquerade as the classic Snake game, hence the designation, MuddyViper. Another notable characteristic of Fooder is its frequent use of a custom delay function that implements the core logic of the Snake game, combined with “Sleep” API calls. These features are intended to delay execution in an attempt to hide malicious behavior from automated analysis systems. Additionally, MuddyWater developers adopted CNG, the next-generation Windows cryptographic API, which is unique for Iran-aligned groups and somewhat atypical across the broader threat landscape. During this campaign, the operators deliberately avoided hands-on-keyboard interactive sessions, which is a historically noisy technique often characterized by mistyped commands. Thus, while some components remain noisy and easily detected, as is typical for MuddyWater, overall this campaign shows signs of technical evolution – increased precision, strategic targeting, and a more advanced toolset.
The post-compromise toolset also includes multiple credential stealers: CE-Notes, which targets Chromium-based browsers; LP-Notes, which stages and verifies stolen credentials; and Blub, which steals login data from Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera browsers.
MuddyWater was first introduced to the public in 2017 by Unit 42, whose description of the group’s activity is consistent with ESET’s profiling – a focus on cyberespionage, the use of malicious documents as attachments designed to prompt users to enable macros and bypass security controls, and primarily targeting entities located in the Middle East.
Notable past activities include Operation Quicksand (2020), a cyberespionage campaign targeting Israeli government entities and telecommunications organizations, which exemplifies the group’s evolution from basic phishing tactics to more advanced, multistage operations; and a campaign targeting political groups and organizations in Türkiye, demonstrating the group’s geopolitical focus, its ability to adapt social engineering tactics to local contexts, and reliance on modular malware and flexible C&C infrastructure.
ESET has documented multiple campaigns attributed to MuddyWater that highlight the group’s evolving toolset and shifting operational focus. In March and April 2023, MuddyWater targeted an unidentified victim in Saudi Arabia, and the group conducted a campaign in January and February 2025 that was notable for its operational overlap with Lyceum (an OilRig subgroup). This cooperation suggests that MuddyWater may be acting as an initial access broker for other Iran-aligned groups.
For a more detailed analysis of the latest MuddyWater campaign, check out the latest ESET Research blogpost “MuddyWater: Snakes by the riverbank” on WeLiveSecurity.com. Make sure to follow ESET Research on Twitter (today known as X), BlueSky, and Mastodon for the latest news from ESET Research.
Overview of Fooder loading MuddyViper or other supported payloads
About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.
About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.
Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.
If you already migrated away from VMware to warmer—and far more affordable—lands after its unbelievable price increase, congratulations! Now comes getting the hang of it, and maybe a touch of vertigo, because in IT there is the need to feel like we control everything. The good news is that with Pandora FMS, keeping control over your virtualization through the main VMware alternatives is the easiest part of that journey.
Below we’ll explore common monitoring scenarios using Pandora FMS, Microsoft Hyper-V, Proxmox Virtual Environment and hybrid setups.
As we will see, the alternatives to VMware have matured considerably, and managing them is simpler than expected.
Few things are more unnerving than abandoning familiar ground—especially in technology. We knew our infrastructure and all its quirks like the back of our hand and everything “worked perfectly” (ahem). But VMware decided its prices should reach Mars before Elon Musk, and many organizations had to migrate to survive.
Regardless of the chosen alternative, this brings common challenges such as:
With Hyper-V or Proxmox VE, new opportunities arise: cost savings, flexibility and greater independence by reducing vendor lock-in (in theory). But let’s be honest—VMware has long been the benchmark in virtualization, and new solutions mean new challenges, from performance variations to management changes.
Especially at the beginning, transparency is crucial because without monitoring we cannot know whether migration is truly beneficial.
Let’s see how to achieve that, starting with Microsoft’s solution—focusing on virtualization, though Hyper-V and Proxmox also include features such as backup, networking or storage.
When moving away from VMware, the first decision is whether you are more comfortable in the Windows or Linux world.
Maybe your servers still carry those Windows stickers that never come off cleanly, or perhaps Microsoft’s enterprise-grade support makes Hyper-V the natural choice. In any case, some key changes will follow.
The plugin includes many modules for metrics like CPU and memory usage, demand, packets, uptime, and more. Some modules come with predefined thresholds, but at Pandora we believe in “your system, your rules”, so everything is easily adjustable from Pandora FMS console.
Plugin installation is done under Configuration > Pandora Collections, allowing you to deploy it on multiple servers simultaneously if needed.
Once configured (see this configuration example and sample screenshots), the plugin reports data at regular intervals.
With everything running, you may define alerts, feed metrics into Pandora dashboards, and monitor virtualization from the “Resources” section.
But what if you’re not ready to join the Borg and let Microsoft assimilate you—swapping one walled garden for another?
A fair concern. We all know the habits of the Redmond giant, which might be watching how VMware’s pricing experiment turns out.
In that case, it’s time to join the Open-Source Rebel Alliance and choose Proxmox VE.
If you wish to embrace Open Source and deploy Proxmox VE for free, you’ll need to close the Windows in your data center (pun intended) and move to Linux.
This doesn’t mean losing flexibility, since Proxmox VE—based on Debian—can virtualize other OSs through KVM. It also supports lightweight Linux virtualization through LXC containers.
That makes it an appealing choice: technically powerful and cost-efficient (no license fees). But nothing in life is completely free.
You’ll need to be familiar with Linux and time to learn Proxmox, which may feel too demanding for IT admins new to that ecosystem.
Proxmox’s business model relies on paid support (by subscribing to its Enterprise repository). Different packages exist, and you’ll need to gauge your operational needs.
Proxmox even provides an official VMware migration guide—and the best part is that monitoring with Pandora FMS after migration is straightforward.
Once Proxmox VE is deployed and your VMs and features mirror what you had under VMware, it’s time to make sure everything performs properly.
Here Pandora FMS is the answer, as it also includes a plugin for Proxmox that connects through the API to monitor LXC containers, VMs, and nodes, generating an agent that forwards data to Pandora’s server.
Don’t panic—the plugin is a pre-packaged binary including all dependencies (you’re welcome), sparing you the usual Linux dependency maze.
As is common in Linux, you may customize the plugin with a configuration file (parameter details and sample file here and a step-by-step guide here).
When executed, the plugin creates agents and modules so you may easily monitor your Proxmox infrastructure from Pandora FMS.
Now let’s take it one step further.
No Star Trek TNG “Best of Both Worlds” jokes here—but most IT infrastructures aim to benefit from several technologies. Sometimes hybrid setups are a choice; other times, a necessity.
For example, you might have a Windows Server running a couple of VMs with Hyper-V but no budget for additional licenses—so you use Proxmox for the rest.
Eventually, almost every IT landscape becomes a miniature UN: multiple systems, multiple “languages”, and components that rarely get along.
No problem—Pandora FMS works as the universal translator and centralized repository for monitoring and key insights.
That’s its biggest advantage and our core obsession: one ring to rule them all, the Rosetta Stone that translates every technology into a single language and shows all vital information together.
Thousands of systems, one intelligence—that’s our goal! But let’s see how it actually works!
Let’s make life tough for our IT manager. Imagine an organization migrating from VMware that already had everything well monitored but is unsure which way to go.
During the meeting, management says (as usual) that the budget is near zero but they still expect VMware-level performance.
The IT manager suggests virtualizing a couple of machines using Hyper-V, leveraging an existing Windows Server license and their prior experience with that console.
Given the needs—and invisible budget—they offer using Proxmox for the rest of the virtualization, as they have reviewed its features and found them suitable.
As always, some middle manager feels compelled to say something smart to justify their salary, so they mention Red Hat OpenShift (thanks ChatGPT).
The CEO then asks the IT manager to include that option in the pilot project.
Of course, they want a report comparing performance with VMware within two weeks, and everything must integrate into complete monitoring of all non-virtual infrastructure elements.
Our weary IT manager has no choice but to build a virtual Frankenstein. At least they have one advantage—they use Pandora FMS for monitoring.
After deploying Proxmox on a test server, using Windows Server for two VMs, and installing OpenShift to keep the boss happy, their virtualization landscape looks like this:
Luckily, Pandora FMS has a plugin for OpenShift, allowing them to deploy all monitoring easily. Despite the heterogeneity, the key information for our manager is unified within the Pandora FMS console.
Everything appears as a single monitored entity, enabling several advantages:
Those outcomes deliver results such as:
That way, they deliver their report on time—with critical insights on which post-VMware options will support the next stage and maintain key metrics like SLA compliance.
Let’s summarise the key aspects of the scenarios in the following table:
| Hyper-V | Proxmox VE | Hybrid Environment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host OS | Windows Server (required). | Debian Linux (required). | Mix: Windows (Hyper-V) + Linux (Proxmox) + Cloud. |
| License Cost | Medium-High (Windows Server licenses + optional Microsoft support). | Low (free, optional subscription for support). | Higher (combination of Hyper-V and Proxmox costs or subscriptions). |
| Learning Curve | Medium (if familiar with Windows/PowerShell). | High (if new to Linux/KVM/LXC). | Very high (requires knowledge of multiple tools). |
| Flexibility | Limited to Microsoft ecosystem. | High (open source, LXC containers + KVM VMs). | Maximum (but more complex). |
| Monitoring with Pandora FMS | Hyper-V plugin. Integrated metrics with Windows. | Proxmox plugin. Monitoring of nodes, VMs and LXC containers. | Multi-plugin: Hyper-V + Proxmox + OpenShift, for example. |
| Main Advantages | Native integration with Microsoft (Active Directory, System Center). | No license fees, transparency (open source), LXC support. | Unified visibility, direct performance comparison between platforms. |
| Challenges | Vendor lock-in with Microsoft. License and support costs. | Less enterprise support than Hyper-V (depends on subscription). | Management complexity, possible initial data fragmentation. |
| Ideal Use Cases | Companies with 100 % Microsoft infrastructure. | Start-ups, SMBs or teams with Linux knowledge. | Large enterprises with distributed or transitioning environments. |
The key takeaway: regardless of the chosen path, a unified monitoring platform Pandora FMS is essential for success.
It works as a universal translator, quickly deploying across new environments and maintaining telemetry continuity—capable of monitoring even less common virtualization systems.
It’s undeniable that VMware leaves a hard-to-fill gap. Migration costs—whether in reduced performance, missing features, or lower metrics—can be higher than expected if you don’t monitor properly.
Our first recommendation, naturally, is Pandora FMS. But don’t take our word for it—see for yourself by testing it free of charge and commitment.
Experience first-hand how Pandora FMS adapts to VMware alternatives and why it becomes the simplest part of an otherwise complex migration.
About PandoraFMS
Pandora FMS is a flexible monitoring system, capable of monitoring devices, infrastructures, applications, services and business processes.
Of course, one of the things that Pandora FMS can control is the hard disks of your computers.
About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.
Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.
How much time does your IT team waste searching for information across chaotic intranets, outdated wikis and poorly documented tickets? In many companies, technical support becomes a real maze, and this slowness ends up affecting productivity.
With the fast pace of technology and rising service standards, delivering agile and quality support has become a real challenge. That’s why more and more companies are turning to self-service solutions like IT chatbots.
These virtual assistants can completely transform how support teams operate. By integrating with monitoring tools, ticketing platforms and other business software, IT chatbots replace data silos and enable a unified view of the IT infrastructure.
Consulting firms such as Gartner predict that by 2027, chatbots will become the main customer service channel for a quarter of all companies.
Before talking about automation or efficiency, it’s useful to review some concepts to understand what an IT chatbot really brings to tech support.
A chatbot is a program designed to simulate human conversations through text or voice.
The first chatbots used in IT environments were quite basic. These were interactive programs with a limited number of FAQs. They lacked flexibility, as users had to select keywords or predefined sentences to move the conversation forward. That changed with the arrival of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Today’s IT chatbots can understand natural language, detect intent and provide contextual responses.
Depending on operational complexity, companies can use:
An IT chatbot follows a defined interaction sequence:
While chatbots can’t replace humans, they’re a valuable tool for automating IT support. Companies implementing them see clear advantages over traditional assistance models.
IT chatbots can be integrated with monitoring tools and ITSM platforms to automate repetitive tasks and streamline workflows (workflow automation).
Monitoring tools constantly check the status of the network and servers, sending alerts to IT staff when anomalies are detected. Once the chatbot receives this information, it classifies the type of incident and either executes predefined commands or assists the operator by suggesting solutions.
Pandora FMS includes an AI chatbot module since version 105. It can be accessed from the menu Support → Chat → View Chat in Pandora ITSM console.
Here’s a practical and simple example of how to solve a workflow triggered by automatic alerts generated by the monitoring system.
A chatbot is a conversational assistant that integrates with monitoring and IT infrastructure management tools. This allows it to collect real-time data from multiple systems and convert it into actionable insights for technical teams, improving incident response.
From an observability perspective, chatbots also help manage licenses and track network assets, providing real-time information on performance or maintenance status.
A practical example? An AI-powered chatbot integrated with Pandora FMS can monitor cloud environments, detect misconfigurations or security gaps, and automatically notify the support team with recommended actions to fix issues before they impact services.
Imagine using Pandora FMS to monitor your cloud environment (e.g. AWS or Azure), where configurations constantly change.
Chatbots are excellent at solving large-scale, low-complexity issues, relieving IT teams from heavy workloads.
Some common applications include:
IT chatbots are evolving rapidly. AI automation often advances faster than the technology infrastructure or even the adaptability of human teams. This creates several important challenges when implementing such solutions in enterprise environments.
The IT support services market keeps growing. In 2025, it reached $3.69 billion, and it is expected to reach $18.04 billion by 2035.
More and more organizations—from universities and hospitals to public administrations and insurance companies—are integrating chatbots into their ITSM platforms to improve service and access to information.
But this growth also means that a basic enterprise chatbot is no longer enough to meet demand. Companies need more advanced solutions capable of integrating with their systems while maintaining security and compliance standards.
Pandora FMS provides real-time insights into system status: it analyzes metrics, detects anomalies, and sends alerts before problems impact the service.
The IT chatbot acts as a conversational assistant, responding directly to the user through an interface and offering solutions based on prior training. Instead of navigating dashboards or control panels, technicians can simply ask the chatbot and perform routine actions like restarting a service or checking a server’s status.
Finally, integration with Pandora ITSM enables full workflow orchestration through automatic ticket creation and assignment. This boosts team agility and gives support managers a clear view of the whole ticket lifecycle from start to finish.
Too much information? Here’s a summary of the key takeaways from this article.
About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.
Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.
About PandoraFMS
Pandora FMS is a flexible monitoring system, capable of monitoring devices, infrastructures, applications, services and business processes.
Of course, one of the things that Pandora FMS can control is the hard disks of your computers.