Windows Assigned Access is a powerful feature in Windows 10 and 11 that allows IT administrators to lock down a device, restricting its use to a single app or a limited set of pre-defined applications. It’s a key tool for creating a secure, focused, and controlled user experience—often referred to as a kiosk mode—for shared or public-use devices in environments like retail, healthcare, and education.

Key Benefits for IT Administrators

Using Assigned Access brings significant advantages to IT teams:

• Reduced Support Tickets: By limiting user access to only the necessary apps, you prevent common issues and reduce the number of support requests.
• Enhanced Security and Compliance: It protects the device and sensitive data by blocking unauthorized access to system files, settings, and other applications.
• Streamlined User Experience: Users are presented with a clean, focused interface that prevents them from getting distracted or lost in the OS.
• Improved Performance: With only essential apps running, the device operates more efficiently and boots up faster.

How to Set Up Assigned Access

Method 1: Manual Setup (For a Single Device)

This method is suitable for configuring a small number of devices individually.

1. Create a new local or standard user account on the Windows device. This account will be the one used for the kiosk.
2. Navigate to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
3. Under “Assigned access,” click Get started.
4. Select the user account you created and choose the specific Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app you want to run.

Method 2: Using a UEM Solution (For Scale)

For businesses with a large number of devices, a Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution is the most efficient and scalable approach. It allows you to configure and deploy Assigned Access remotely from a central dashboard.

With a UEM like Scalefusion, you can:

• Enroll your Windows devices to the UEM platform.
• Create a device profile for your kiosk.
• Configure the apps, settings, and other security policies from the dashboard.
• Apply the profile to multiple devices at once, automating the setup process.

This approach provides a streamlined, hands-free deployment and offers advanced features like remote troubleshooting and real-time monitoring.

Best Practices for Deployment

To ensure a successful implementation, follow these best practices:

• Test Thoroughly: Always test your kiosk configuration on a single device before deploying it across a large fleet.
• Disable Unnecessary Services: Turn off any services or features that are not required for the kiosk application to improve performance and security.
• Use an MDM: For any large-scale deployment, using a Mobile Device Management (MDM) or UEM solution is highly recommended for efficient and secure management.

Windows Assigned Access is a powerful tool for creating a secure and focused user experience. While it’s easy to set up on a single device, leveraging a UEM solution is the best way to fully unlock its potential for large-scale deployments, ensuring your devices are always secure, compliant, and operating as intended.

While Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a leader in cloud computing, many organizations are exploring alternatives for their Identity and Access Management (IAM) needs. Common reasons include avoiding vendor lock-in, dealing with complex pricing models, and seeking a simpler, more streamlined approach to security. This guide highlights the top AWS alternatives for IAM in 2025, providing a clear overview of each solution’s strengths.

Top 10 AWS Alternatives for IAM

• MiniOrange

  Best For: SMBs and organizations prioritizing affordability. MiniOrange offers a straightforward platform with key features like SSO and MFA, though it may lack some advanced governance tools for larger enterprises.

• JumpCloud

  Best For: Companies with diverse operating systems. JumpCloud is a unified solution for both identity and device management, simplifying user management and providing flexible integrations across different OS environments.

• ManageEngine ADManager Plus

  Best For: Organizations heavily invested in Microsoft Active Directory. This solution excels at automating provisioning and generating compliance reports, but is less suited for a cloud-first IAM strategy.

• OneLogin

  Best For: Ease of use and quick integration. OneLogin is a user-friendly platform with robust SSO and MFA capabilities, making it a popular choice for enhancing security without complexity.

• SailPoint

  Best For: Large enterprises with complex governance requirements. SailPoint is a market leader in identity governance, focusing on compliance, risk management, and scalable identity controls.

• Omada Identity

  Best For: Organizations with a governance-first security approach. This platform provides strong tools for identity governance and administration, ensuring audit readiness and clear access management.

• Microsoft Intune

  Best For: Companies in the Microsoft ecosystem. Intune specializes in endpoint and application management and integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Entra ID to enforce compliance policies across devices.

• SecureAuth

  Best For: Hybrid environments needing adaptive security. SecureAuth offers adaptive MFA and risk-based access policies, allowing for dynamic control based on user behavior and context.

• CyberArk

  Best For: Securing privileged accounts. CyberArk is a specialized leader in Privileged Access Management (PAM), providing advanced security for sensitive accounts through credential vaulting and session recording.

• Duo Security

  Best For: A zero-trust security model. A part of Cisco, Duo Security is a highly trusted option for secure access, focusing on MFA and verifying the trustworthiness of devices before granting access.

The Missing Piece: Device-Level Security

While these IAM tools are powerful, they often stop at the point of login. A crucial security gap remains: ensuring the device being used is secure. This is where a solution like Scalefusion OneIdP becomes essential. It complements any IAM platform, including AWS, by enforcing device trust and real-time compliance after a user authenticates. OneIdP validates the device’s security posture, location, and status, and blocks access from unapproved endpoints, providing a missing enforcement layer for a truly comprehensive security strategy.

Choosing the right IAM solution is a strategic decision that depends on your organization’s specific needs. While the alternatives to AWS offer diverse strengths, a complete security strategy requires a layered approach. By combining a robust IAM platform with a solution that secures access at the device level, you can build a resilient and scalable security posture for the future.

What Does Windows 10 End of Life Mean?

Once Windows 10 reaches its End of Life (EOL), Microsoft will stop providing security patches, feature updates, or technical support. For your organization, this means:

• No Security Updates: Your devices will become vulnerable to malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats. Attackers actively exploit unpatched systems.
• Compliance Risks: Using an unsupported OS can lead to violations of data protection and industry compliance standards.
• Degraded Performance: Newer apps and hardware will gradually stop supporting Windows 10, leading to performance issues and compatibility problems.

Why You Need to Upgrade to Windows 11

The risks of staying on Windows 10 post-EOL are high, especially for businesses with large device fleets. Windows 11 is the future-ready OS that ensures continued security and long-term support. Upgrading now is a proactive step to protect your business.

Key reasons to upgrade to Windows 11:

• Enhanced Security: Windows 11 has built-in security enhancements, including a requirement for TPM 2.0, hardware-based isolation, and improved phishing protection.
• Improved Productivity: A modern user interface and performance enhancements optimize user workflows and provide a more streamlined experience.
• App Compatibility: New apps and services will favor Windows 11 going forward, ensuring your teams have access to the latest tools.
• Regulatory Compliance: Upgrading helps you reduce the significant risks associated with using unsupported software, ensuring you remain compliant.

Delaying the upgrade increases your operational risk. Planning the transition to Windows 11 now ensures a smooth and well-managed process, safeguarding your data and your business’s future.

How to Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11

There are multiple ways to upgrade depending on your organization size, device compatibility, and IT policy. Below are five detailed methods:

1. Check for the Update in Windows Settings

This is the simplest method for eligible PCs.

Steps:

1. On your PC, go to Settings > Update & Security.
2. Click on Windows Update.
3. Select Check for updates.
4. If your device meets Windows 11 system requirements, you will see the option: Upgrade to Windows 11 is ready – and it’s free!
5. Click Download and install.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions and allow the PC to restart when prompted.

2. Use the Windows 11 Update Assistant

If the update isn’t showing automatically, the Windows 11 Update Assistant is a great alternative.

Steps:

1. Visit the official Microsoft Windows 11 download page.
2. Under Windows 11 Installation Assistant, click Download Now.
3. Open the downloaded file and accept the license terms.
4. The tool will verify device compatibility.
5. If all checks are passed, click Install to begin.
6. The PC will download the necessary files and begin the upgrade process.
7. It will restart several times and finally boot into Windows 11.

3. Use Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool

Perfect for upgrading your current PC or creating bootable USB media for other machines.

Steps:

1. Go to the Windows 11 download page.
2. Under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, click Download Now.
3. Open the tool and select your preferred language and edition.
4. Choose either:
   
   • USB flash drive (8GB minimum)
   • ISO file to create DVD later
5. If upgrading the same PC, select “Upgrade this PC now” and follow the steps.
6. If creating media, insert it into the target PC and run setup.exe from the media.

4. Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO File)

This method gives the most control for clean installs or unsupported device upgrades.

Steps:

1. Visit the Windows 11 ISO download section.
2. Scroll to Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO).
3. Select edition (e.g., Windows 11, multi-edition ISO) and click Download.
4. Choose product language and confirm.
5. Download the ISO and save it to your PC.
6. Right-click the ISO and select Mount.
7. Open the virtual drive and run setup.exe.
8. Follow on-screen instructions to install Windows 11.

5. Use UEM solution for Bulk Windows 11 Upgrades

Ideal for IT admins managing Windows devices across locations. Scalefusion UEM enables you to remotely push OS upgrades without manually accessing each device.

Steps to upgrade using UEM solutions like Scalefusion:

1. Sign in to your UEM Dashboard.
2. Navigate to OS Update Management.
3. Click on the Windows OS Upgrade tab.
4. Click Create Configuration to create a new OS upgrade policy.
5. Enter a configuration name.
6. Select your Upgrade Channel (e.g., Semi-Annual, Insider, etc.).
7. Choose the Feature Update Version (e.g., 23H2).
8. Configure your scheduling preferences:
   
   • Installation schedule
   • Deadline time
   • Post-deadline behavior (automatic restart, postpone)
9. Decide whether to enforce upgrades for battery-powered devices.
10. Select reboot options after upgrade (auto reboot or manual by user).
11. Save the configuration.
12. Assign the configuration to devices, device groups, or dynamic groups.
13. Monitor upgrade status from the dashboard in real-time.

Here’s a detailed step by step guide to Windows OS upgrade management with Scalefusion.

While all methods are effective, they cater to different scenarios. Manual methods are fine for a handful of machines, but when it comes to large-scale, multi-location device fleets, the UEM solution is unmatched in simplicity and control.

PSD2, or the Revised Payment Services Directive, is a key piece of European Union legislation that went into effect in 2018. Its primary goal is to make online payments safer, encourage innovation in the financial sector, and give consumers greater control over their financial data. More than just a regulation, PSD2 has fundamentally reshaped the financial landscape, opening up the space to new fintech players through a mandate known as Open Banking.

PSD1 vs. PSD2: Key Differences

PSD2 is an evolution of the original Payment Services Directive (PSD1). The key updates introduced by PSD2 include:

• Stronger Security: It introduced a stricter authentication standard called Strong Customer Authentication (SCA).
• Wider Scope: PSD2 covers “one-leg-out” payments, meaning transactions where one of the payment providers is located outside the EU.
• Increased Consumer Rights: The directive provides more rights for consumers, including a greater degree of control over their financial data.

Who Needs to Comply?

A wide range of entities must comply with PSD2. If your business handles payments or financial data in the EU, you are likely affected. This includes:

• Banks and Credit Institutions
• Payment Initiation Service Providers (PISPs)
• Account Information Service Providers (AISPs)
• E-money Institutions
• Fintech Startups
• Merchants and E-commerce Platforms

Main Components of PSD2 Compliance

Achieving compliance requires addressing several core components of the directive:

• Strong Customer Authentication (SCA): This is a key pillar of PSD2. It requires multi-factor authentication for most online transactions. SCA requires at least two of the following three elements to verify a user’s identity: something they know (like a password), something they have (like a phone), or something they are (like a fingerprint).
• Open Banking APIs: Banks are now mandated to provide secure APIs that allow licensed third-party providers (TPPs) to access customer account information and initiate payments, but only with explicit customer consent. This has fueled the growth of fintech services.
• Explicit Customer Consent: Businesses must obtain clear and explicit consent from customers before accessing or sharing their data.
• Transparency in Fees: The directive requires greater transparency regarding transaction fees, preventing hidden charges.
• Incident Reporting: Organizations must have a robust process for reporting payment-related security incidents to relevant authorities.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

The risks of non-compliance are severe and can result in significant consequences, including:

• Hefty fines and legal action from regulatory bodies.
• Suspension of a company’s license to operate.
• Severe reputational damage and a loss of customer trust.

How to Begin Your PSD2 Compliance Journey

The first step toward compliance is establishing a strong security posture. Given that modern financial services are often accessed from a variety of endpoints—laptops, smartphones, and tablets—focusing on endpoint security is a critical starting point. Key measures include:

• Implementing secure access controls for all devices.
• Ensuring all devices accessing financial data are encrypted.
• Deploying malware protection and other security tools.
• Establishing clear app and user-level boundaries to prevent unauthorized data access.

Choosing the right productivity suite is a critical decision for any organization. While both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) offer a robust set of applications for collaboration, communication, and content creation, their approaches, security models, and management capabilities differ significantly. This guide compares the two platforms to help IT teams make an informed choice that aligns with their strategic goals.

Productivity Tools: A Feature Breakdown

At their core, both suites provide a similar set of tools, but their user experience and strengths vary. Microsoft 365’s foundation is built on its powerful, feature-rich desktop applications like Word and Excel, while Google Workspace prioritizes simplicity and real-time, browser-based collaboration.

Security, Identity & Management

Both platforms have strong security foundations, but they approach enterprise security with different philosophies. Microsoft 365 is tailored for large-scale enterprise environments with complex security needs, while Google Workspace focuses on built-in security and ease of use.

Microsoft’s Approach

Microsoft 365 provides a wide range of enterprise-grade security tools, deeply integrated with its ecosystem. Key features include:

• Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD): A comprehensive identity and access management solution.
• Microsoft Defender: Provides advanced threat protection across endpoints, email, and the cloud.
• Information Protection: Tools for data loss prevention (DLP) and data encryption.

Google’s Approach

Google Workspace emphasizes simplicity and robust, user-friendly security. Key features include:

• Built-in Protections: Automatic threat detection and email scanning in Gmail.
• Simple Identity Management: Easy-to-use admin controls for user and device management.
• Data Loss Prevention: Basic DLP features to protect sensitive information.

Pricing and Scalability

Both suites offer flexible pricing plans that scale with your organization’s needs. Microsoft 365 typically has more complex licensing tiers to accommodate various user needs and enterprise-level features, while Google Workspace’s pricing model is often simpler and more straightforward.

The Missing Layer: A Unified Management Solution

Regardless of which platform you choose, a critical piece is often missing: a unified management layer that simplifies access, security, and device control. This is where a solution like Scalefusion OneIdP becomes essential. It complements both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace by providing a single pane of glass for IT teams to manage all users, devices, and access policies, eliminating the need to toggle between different admin consoles. By centralizing control, it enhances security and provides clear visibility, ensuring your IT strategy is both secure and scalable.

In today’s dynamic work environments, IT teams face a significant challenge: securing company-owned devices while also protecting the growing number of personal devices employees use to access corporate resources. This requires a clear understanding of the difference between managed and unmanaged devices.

Defining the Two Types

Managed Devices: These are corporate-owned endpoints that are enrolled in a centralized device management solution. They give IT departments full control over security, software updates, configurations, and data. This level of control is essential for maintaining strict security and compliance standards.

Unmanaged Devices: Often referred to as BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), these are personal devices that employees use for work. While they offer convenience and cost savings, they present a significant security risk because IT has limited control over their security posture and data. To mitigate this, companies often use tools like containerization to separate work data from personal data.

Key Differences at a Glance

Securing Managed Devices

For company-owned devices, a robust Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution provides the necessary tools for comprehensive security. Key methods include:

• OS and app patching to fix vulnerabilities
• Enforcing strong passwords and data encryption
• Configuring Kiosk Mode for single-purpose devices
• Automating app installation and updates
• Remotely monitoring device health and security status
• Setting up automated compliance checks
• Implementing geo-fencing and device location tracking
• Creating role-based access controls

Securing Unmanaged Devices

Securing personal devices requires a different approach that respects employee privacy while protecting corporate data. Effective strategies include:

• Containerization: This creates a secure, encrypted “container” on the device to store and manage corporate data separately from personal data.
• Conditional Access: Ensures that only compliant devices and users can access corporate resources.
• Zero-Trust Access: Assumes no user or device is trustworthy by default, requiring continuous verification before granting access.
• Application Management: Allows IT to enforce security policies on corporate apps without controlling the entire device.

Ultimately, the best strategy is a combined one. Most organizations will benefit from using both managed devices for their most critical operations and unmanaged devices for their flexibility. The key is to implement a comprehensive management solution that can effectively secure both, ensuring that your organization’s data remains protected regardless of the device it’s accessed from.

A connected classroom, also known as a smart or digital classroom, is an educational environment that uses technology to enhance both the learning and teaching experience. The primary goal is to seamlessly integrate digital tools, devices, and internet resources into the classroom for a more interactive and collaborative experience. This model is rapidly changing how educators and students interact with information and each other.

Core Components of a Connected Classroom

A connected classroom is built on several key components that work together to create a dynamic learning space:

• Connected Devices: This includes devices used by students and teachers, such as laptops, tablets, interactive whiteboards, and projectors.
• Learning Management Systems (LMS): Platforms like Google Classroom, Canvas, or Moodle are essential for managing coursework, assignments, and grades in a digital format.
• Collaboration Tools: Applications such as Zoom, Google Docs, and Microsoft Teams facilitate communication and real-time collaboration between students and teachers.
• Immersive Technologies: Advanced tools like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are used to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
• One-to-One (1:1) Programs: Many schools now provide a dedicated device to each student, ensuring equitable access to digital resources.

Benefits and Challenges

The adoption of connected classrooms comes with significant advantages, but also presents new challenges for schools and IT departments.

Key Benefits

• Enhanced Engagement: Interactive devices and tools make learning more dynamic and exciting for students.
• Quick Access to Resources: Students can instantly access a wealth of online information, digital textbooks, and educational apps.
• Personalized Learning: Educators can tailor content and pace to meet the individual needs of each student.
• Improved Teaching Efficiency: Teachers can automate administrative tasks, making more time for instruction and student interaction.

Common Challenges

Managing a connected classroom at scale is not without its hurdles. IT teams must address issues such as:

• Securing a large fleet of devices.
• Ensuring students stay focused on educational content.
• Providing immediate remote support for technical issues.
• Managing and updating a wide range of apps and content.
• Protecting student data and privacy.

The Role of Unified Endpoint Management (UEM)

A UEM solution is the key to overcoming these challenges. Platforms like Scalefusion offer a centralized, comprehensive approach to managing all devices within a school’s ecosystem. A UEM platform helps by:

• Centralized Device Management: IT can manage thousands of devices from a single console.
• Policy Enforcement: Enforce security policies and content filtering to ensure a safe learning environment.
• Application Management: Control which apps students can access and ensure all software is up-to-date.
• Remote Troubleshooting: Remotely access and fix device issues without needing to be physically present.
• Digital Safety Beyond the Classroom: Extend security and content policies to devices used by students at home.

By providing a solution that simplifies device management and strengthens security, UEM allows schools to fully embrace the potential of connected classrooms, creating a safe, engaging, and effective learning environment for both students and teachers.