> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://syteca.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting started

> Deploy, license, and configure Endpoint Security Posture Management (ESPM) to begin monitoring endpoint security posture, identifying risks, and improving compliance across your organization.

## Prerequisites

Before using Syteca ESPM, ensure that:

* The Syteca ESPM Server module is [installed](/docs/administration/deployment/install-application-server) .
* The Syteca ESPM Portal is [installed](/docs/administration/deployment/install-management-tool) .
* An ESPM-enabled license is [activated](/docs/administration/licensing/activate-serial-key) .
* ESPM licenses are  [assigned to the Windows endpoints](/docs/administration/licensing/assign-endpoint-licenses)  you want to monitor.
* Your account has the [Syteca ESPM Access](/docs/administration/users/administrative-permissions) administrative permission.

## Deployment

### Install the ESPM Server Module

1. During Server  [installation](/docs/administration/deployment/install-application-server) or [update](/docs/administration/deployment/update-application-server) , select the option to install the **ESPM Server Module**.
2. Configure the required settings, such as:
   * Database name
   * Other deployment-specific options

### Install the ESPM Portal

1. During Management Tool [installation](/docs/administration/deployment/install-management-tool) or [update](/docs/administration/deployment/update-syteca), select the option to install the **ESPM Portal**.
2. Configure the required settings, such as:
   * ESPM Portal URL
   * Portal connection settings

## Licensing

1. [Activate a serial key](/docs/administration/licensing/activate-serial-key) that includes the **Endpoint Security Posture Management (ESPM)** application.
2. [Assign endpoint licenses](/docs/administration/licensing/assign-endpoint-licenses)  with the **Endpoint Security Posture Management (ESPM)** module enabled to the Windows endpoints that will be monitored.

<Note>
  Only licensed endpoints are evaluated by ESPM and included in health score calculations.
</Note>

## Accessing ESPM

1. Open the Management Tool.
2. Click **Posture Management** in the main menu.
3. The **ESPM Portal** opens in a new browser tab.

You can work in the ESPM Portal and the Management Tool simultaneously.

<Note>
  The [Syteca ESPM Access](/docs/administration/users/administrative-permissions) administrative permission is required to open the ESPM Portal.
</Note>

## Initial Configuration

1. [Assign policies](/docs/espm/policies/managing-policies) to the required endpoint groups or endpoints.

<Note>
  Assign policies to Endpoint Groups whenever possible. Policies assigned to groups are automatically inherited by endpoints within those groups, simplifying administration and ensuring consistent coverage.
</Note>

2. Open the [Dashboard](/docs/espm/dashboards-page) to review your organization's current security posture.
3. Monitor:
   * [Active risk factors](/docs/espm/howto/how-to-understand-risk-root-cause)
   * [High-risk endpoints](/docs/espm/howto/how-to-check-critical-endpoints)
   * [Policy compliance](/docs/espm/howto/how-to-check-and-improve-policy-compliance)
   * [Organizational security posture](/docs/espm/howto/how-to-benchmark-security-posture)
4. Use the [Endpoint Details](/docs/espm/endpoints/endpoint-details) page and [Risk Factors page](/docs/espm/riskfactors/risk-factors-page) page to identify issues requiring remediation.
5. Follow the recommended  [remediation guidance](/docs/espm/riskfactors/recommend-and-remedy)  to improve endpoint, policy, and organizational health scores.

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Glossary" icon="book-a" href="/docs/espm/glossary">
    Learn the key terms and concepts used throughout the ESPM.
  </Card>

  <Card title="About policies" icon="book-open-text" href="/docs/espm/about-policies">
    Explore security and compliance policies, understand how risk factors, controls, and severity ratings contribute to policy health scores.
  </Card>

  <Card title="About risk factors and probes" icon="book-alert" href="/docs/espm/about-risk-factors">
    Understand how risk factors and probes are evaluated on endpoints.
  </Card>

  <Card title="About health score" icon="heart-pulse" href="/docs/espm/endpoint-security-posture-and-health-score">
    Understand how endpoint, policy, and control health scores are calculated from detected risks.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>