IT Automation: How It Works, Benefits, and Future Tools

Efficiency, security, and innovation are the core drivers of growth and the foundation of a smarter, faster, and more resilient organization. Your long-term success depends on enabling and empowering these capabilities organization-wide. But in a market crowded with numerous options and bold claims, how do you sort through the hype to identify a genuine solution that truly delivers results?

Many organizations are turning to IT automation as the answer. IT automation helps them manage workloads, streamline processes, and eliminate human error, revolutionizing how organizations operate by reducing manual intervention and enhancing overall operational efficiency.

However, this shift towards adopting IT automation highlights the increasing need for organizations to grasp how it functions, its advantages, and how it is poised to transform tools in the future. This understanding will enable organizations to leverage the full potential of IT automation across their operations.

To help build this deeper knowledge, our guide will explore the core functions of IT automation and how it is transforming business operations — from reducing human intervention to facilitating real-time decision making. We will also look to the future, examining emerging trends and technologies that promise to further enhance the capabilities of IT tools.

Whether you’re an IT professional seeking to optimize your business process automation or a business leader aiming to stay ahead of the digital transformation curve, this comprehensive guide will provide valuable insights into the potential of IT automation.

• What is IT automation?
• How does IT automation work?
• Benefits of IT automation
• Top 5 use cases for IT automation
• The critical role of IT process automation tools in the future

What is IT automation?

IT automation is the process of using technologies to perform IT tasks with minimal human intervention. This transformation is driven by the need for efficiency, security, and IT optimization within an organization.

An IT automation strategy empowers teams to automate time-consuming and repetitive tasks, such as security monitoring, software deployment, patch management, and user provisioning, with greater accuracy and speed. By leveraging automation, organizations can significantly enhance precision and optimize their operations, leading to more reliable and efficient outcomes.

However, when discussing IT automation, it’s important to recognize that there are several types of automation. These range from robotic process automation (RPA), which facilitates the creation, deployment, and management of software robots that emulate human actions for repetitive tasks in manufacturing, to next-generation solutions utilizing artificial intelligence-driven orchestration and machine learning algorithms for dynamic decision making.

[Read also: A beginner’s guide to machine learning in cybersecurity]

No matter what IT automation looks like within an organization, the goal remains the same: providing the necessary tools and capabilities to improve efficiency and effectiveness. This is particularly important as organizations scale, with IT automation providing the flexibility and control necessary to ensure seamless IT operations by minimizing bottlenecks and ensuring adherence to best practices while addressing any challenges or goals an organization must tackle to stay resilient and future-proof.

With this better understanding of what IT automation is (and can be), let’s delve into the mechanics of how it works. By exploring the underlying processes and technologies, we can see how IT automation can be used to enhance efficiency and productivity in a number of key areas.

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How does IT automation work?

IT automation combines rules-based software and scripts to execute predefined tasks in response to triggers. These triggers (e.g., system events, scheduled responses, external inputs) enable automation to adapt dynamically to changing IT environments.

Typically, specialized tools are employed to develop these automation scripts and workflows, which outline the sequence of tasks and the conditions under which they should be executed. These tools can vary from basic scripting languages to advanced platforms that provide a broad array of automation capabilities.

Once the workflows are established, automation tools execute them. These tools perform tasks according to predefined workflows, ensuring consistency and accuracy.

Automated processes are also continuously monitored to ensure they are running smoothly and that any issues or deviations are detected and addressed promptly. Based on the monitoring data, automation workflows can be refined and improved over time. This iterative process helps optimize the automation and adapt to changing requirements.

By integrating IT automation into daily operations, organizations ultimately reduce reliance on manual processes and allow IT staff to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine maintenance. This shift not only enhances operational efficiency but also drives innovation to position the organization for sustained growth.

[Read also: How AI enhances anomaly detection and eases alert fatigue]

Having examined how IT automation works at a high level, it’s time to understand the tangible benefits it brings. By seeing how automation translates into improved efficiency and productivity, you’ll gain a clearer picture of its impact on your organization. In the next section, we’ll explore these benefits in detail, showing you how IT automation can streamline operations, reduce errors, and enhance overall performance.

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Benefits of IT automation

Organizations that embrace IT automation gain significant advantages by transforming their IT operations and overall business performance. Here are some of the key benefits that IT automation can provide:

• Better data protection: Automating the backup, replication, and recovery of critical data and systems can ensure data integrity. This seamless process minimizes the risk of data loss and enhances overall system reliability.
• Enhanced security: Automation helps identify and mitigate vulnerabilities before they become critical threats. With real-time monitoring, automated systems can detect and address potential security issues, bolstering the organization’s defense mechanisms.

[Listen to the podcast: Why automation may be the best kept secret of security teams]

• Faster response times: Automation enables real-time monitoring and remediation of issues, preventing costly losses, penalties, and downtime. Organizations can address and resolve problems with automated workflows, maintaining business continuity.
• Greater reliability: Automated systems maintain operational consistency, reducing downtime and service disruptions. This reliability ensures that business operations run smoothly and efficiently without unexpected interruptions.
• Improved productivity: IT teams can focus on high-value projects instead of repetitive tasks. This shift boosts productivity and fosters a more dynamic and motivated workforce.
• Error prevention: IT automation eliminates the risk of human error by automating repetitive and mundane tasks to enhance accuracy and boost employee morale by freeing them from monotonous activities, allowing them to engage in more meaningful and rewarding work.
• Reduced costs: Automating routine tasks, such as provisioning, managing, and optimizing physical and virtual resources in data centers, cloud servers, and on-premises environments, reduces time-consuming manual labor and the need for manual intervention, which translates to lower operational expenses and more efficient resource utilization.
• Scalability: Organizations can expand IT operations without proportional increases in personnel and costs. Automation allows for seamless operation scaling, ensuring that the organization can grow and adapt to changing demands without compromising efficiency.

[Read also: Learn how Tanium Automate supports easy-to-create orchestration and automation at scale]

Now that we’ve explored the benefits of IT automation and understand how it can enhance your organization’s efficiency and productivity, let’s take a closer look at what this looks like in action. In the next section, we’ll examine the top five use cases for IT automation to highlight its impact on common organizational challenges and strategies.

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Top 5 use cases for IT automation

IT automation plays a crucial role in modern IT management tasks to ensure the performance and security of your infrastructure, with some of the most significant use cases that benefit from workflow automation including:

Automated asset discovery and inventory management

Automation can improve asset discovery and inventory management by offering a real-time audit of every endpoint. This process ensures up-to-date records of hardware, software, and cloud service resources, which simplifies compliance for IT teams and supports optimal resource allocation. Organizations can also more easily make informed decisions regarding asset lifecycle management and future investments using these accurate device insights.

You can also use automated systems to quickly identify and categorize new assets as they are added to the network, ensuring that no device goes unnoticed or unmanaged. Maintaining comprehensive visibility of your inventory can simplify the decommissioning of outdated or unused assets and reduce unnecessary costs by helping teams ensure that software licenses are utilized optimally through license reclamation.

Automated device management

Automating tasks like device provisioning, software deployment, and system updates is essential for effective device management. Automation ensures all devices comply with configuration standards, are properly provisioned, and receive timely updates through automated patch management to enhance security and performance.


[Read also: What is device vulnerability management?]

For example, automating provisioning and deployment streamlines the rollout of new applications and updates, accelerates implementation, ensures systems are always equipped with the latest features and security patches, and helps achieve consistent and repeatable configurations across all environments.

IT automation also enables continuous monitoring and auditing of configurations, providing real-time insights and alerts for deviations from standards to reduce configuration drift, ensure system reliability, and minimize downtime caused by misconfigurations.

Automated digital employee experience management

IT automation enhances the digital employee experience (DEX) in several ways, including enhancing endpoint reliability by automating routine tasks and processes, such as device health monitoring, device optimization, and scheduling updates during off-peak hours to minimize user disruption.

By proactively detecting and addressing potential issues before they escalate, automation can provide employees with a seamless digital experience that boosts overall engagement, productivity, and satisfaction while ensuring endpoints remain secure and functional.




From the Tanium report, “How automation reduces burnout, improves morale, and mitigates risk,” which surveyed 110 IT professionals from companies with over 1,000 employees in Australia to uncover the impact of automation on IT teams

Automation empowers employees with self-service tools to resolve common issues without help desk reliance.

For example, automated systems can provide instant solutions to common problems like password resets or software installations through self-service portals.

This not only enables quick problem resolution but also reduces help desk tickets, allowing IT teams to focus on more complex tasks.

Unlock the future of work: Download the Ultimate Guide to Digital Employee Experience

Automated identity and access management

IT automation can significantly improve identity and access management (IAM) by enhancing processes that ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and advance end-user security efforts through real-time monitoring.

For example, by automating routine tasks related to user account provisioning and decommissioning, permission updates, and security enforcement, including automatically monitoring and responding to suspicious activities like unauthorized access attempts or policy violations, organizations can more easily apply and maintain access controls consistently.

Automated systems can also quickly and accurately create, modify, or remove user accounts according to predefined policies and update permissions as roles and responsibilities change. This ensures that users maintain the appropriate level of access at all times and that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive resources.

Automated incident response

By leveraging real-time data and AI-driven insights, automated systems can enable security and IT teams to detect, investigate, and remediate vulnerabilities and cybersecurity incidents in real time, safeguarding the organization’s integrity and ensuring business continuity.

Security automation enhances incident response by providing continuous monitoring and rapid detection of anomalies and threats to allow immediate action. This proactive approach reduces the time to identify and contain incidents while limiting potential damage.

Automation also promotes seamless coordination and cohesive strategies among different teams, ensuring everyone is aligned and minimizing the chances of miscommunication, which in turn speeds up problem resolution and improves overall effectiveness.

Additionally, automated incident response workflows guarantee that standardized procedures are adhered to, minimizing the likelihood of errors and ensuring the delivery of a consistent and effective response. Automation can also establish a unified defense mechanism by integrating with other security tools to enhance the overall security posture, boost resilience, and ensure that incident response workflows are scalable and capable of managing large and complex IT environments and security incidents.

[Read also: Lean into autonomous incident response with Endpoint Reactions]

Having explored some of the top use cases for IT automation, it’s clear that automation can significantly enhance various aspects to help organizations achieve a more proactive and resilient IT environment capable of adapting to evolving business demands.

In the next section, we’ll explore the evolving role of automation tools and how they are poised to shape the future of IT. By understanding these emerging trends, organizations can better prepare for the advancements ahead and continue leveraging automation for sustained success.

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The critical role of IT process automation tools in the future

As technology evolves, IT automation will become even more sophisticated. Future trends indicate:

• AI-driven automation: Artificial intelligence and machine learning will enhance automation’s ability to predict and respond to IT issues.
• Autonomous IT operations: Self-healing systems automatically detect and resolve performance issues without human intervention.
• Hyperautomation: A trend Gartner defines as the orchestration of multiple automation technologies to streamline IT processes.
• Improved integration capabilities: Next-gen automation tools will seamlessly connect with a broader range of IT environments and business applications.
• Security-first automation: There will be an increased focus on security-driven automation to accurately identify and mitigate cybersecurity threats in real time.

[Read also: How enterprises are using AI to improve cybersecurity]

AI and machine learning are becoming integral to IT automation, enhancing capabilities to enable these tools to handle complex, non-linear workflows with minimal human oversight by aiding intelligent decision-making and predictive analytics. However, choosing an IT automation solution will remain a crucial step in helping organizations align technology with their business needs.

The ideal automation platform should offer robust automation capabilities, seamless integration with your IT systems and infrastructure, and real-time device data to enhance security efforts.

Additionally, the solution should act as a strategic partner, providing ongoing support and adapting to your evolving needs to instill confidence and support your ability to act with absolute certainty to protect, improve, and innovate.

The future of IT belongs to those who automate intelligently. Organizations that invest in the right IT automation tools can accelerate operations, strengthen security, and drive innovation. By embracing automation, organizations can not only maintain a competitive edge but also create a more agile and resilient IT environment.

The journey toward a smarter, more efficient IT landscape starts with an effective automation strategy. Today is the perfect time to reflect on how your organization can use IT automation to help you begin addressing the demands of tomorrow.
 

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Tanium provides cutting-edge IT autonomous solutions to optimize workflows, enhance visibility, and ensure system resilience. With real-time data insights, proactive security measures, and seamless endpoint management, Tanium helps organizations stay ahead of the curve.

We are committed to partnering with and supporting organizations in their journey to achieve operational excellence and security by ensuring that your organization remains agile, resilient, and well-prepared for any challenges in a rapidly changing landscape.

Ready to modernize your IT strategy? Request a demo today and discover how the AI-powered and low-code capabilities in Tanium Autonomous Endpoint Management (AEM) can revolutionize your IT operations by streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency.