Quick Answer
nissrv.exe is safe. It is the NISS Server Service that underpins centralized security policy distribution, monitoring, and communication for the NISS suite.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be located in C:\Program Files\NISS\Server\nissrv.exe
Warning
Most systems run multiple NISS components
nissrv.exe coordinates policies; expect background activity
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Stop the Windows service and disable startup via services.msc if needed
What is nissrv.exe?
nissrv.exe is the core server component of the NISS Suite, handling policy distribution, credential validation, and secure channel maintenance between endpoints and the central console. It runs as a Windows service and coordinates client modules for security enforcement.
The NISS Server Service operates as a dedicated Windows service that manages policy delivery, event logging, and authenticated communications across the NISS ecosystem, using isolated threads to minimize impact from individual components.
Quick Fact: The NISS Server Service centralizes security policy enforcement and monitoring, ensuring consistent compliance across managed devices.
Types of NISS Processes
- Server Process: Main NISS server coordinating policy and console communications
- Policy Engine: Evaluates and distributes security rules to clients
- Audit Processor: Aggregates event logs and generates compliance reports
- Agent Launcher: Initiates and manages client agents on endpoints
- Update Service: Pushes updates and license checks to clients
- Telemetry Service: Collects usage telemetry for diagnostics
Is nissrv.exe Safe?
Yes, nissrv.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from NISS Software Corp downloaded from official sources (C:\Program Files\NISS\Server).
Is nissrv.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real nissrv.exe is NOT a virus. Malware can mimic names, so verify location and signature.
How to Tell if nissrv.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\NISS\Server\nissrv.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\NISS\Server\nissrv.exe. Other locations are suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click nissrv.exe in Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show "NISS Software Corp".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-10% CPU, 60-180 MB memory. Constantly high usage when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: nissrv.exe should run as a Windows Service. Absence of service or irregular startup is red flag.
Red Flags: If nissrv.exe is found outside the NISS directory, lacks a digital signature, or runs under non-standard accounts, scan with antivirus and verify with the vendor.
Why Is nissrv.exe Running on My PC?
nissrv.exe runs to support central security policy enforcement, endpoint communication, and background monitoring for the NISS Suite. It may appear as a service and network activity.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Security Policy Enforcement: The server disseminates and enforces security rules across managed devices in real time.
- Background Compliance Checks: Periodic scans ensure endpoints comply with policy and license terms.
- Client-Agent Communications: The service maintains secure channels with endpoint agents and the central console.
- Update and Licensing Tasks: It handles updates, signature checks, and license validations in the background.
- Startup and Auto-Run: Configured to start on boot or when the NISS suite loads, ensuring readiness.
Can I Disable or Remove nissrv.exe?
Yes, you can disable nissrv.exe. It's safe to temporarily stop the service or uninstall the NISS suite if you no longer need it.
How to Stop nissrv.exe
- Stop the Service: Open Services (services.msc), locate 'NISS Server Service', right-click, Stop.
- Disable Startup: In Services, set Startup type to Disabled or use Task Scheduler to prevent auto-start.
- Validate No Dependent Services: Ensure dependent services are stopped to avoid boot issues.
- Close NISS Console: If a management console is open, close it to release connections.
- Restart System: Reboot to ensure all changes take effect.
How to Uninstall the NISS Suite
- ✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> NISS Suite -> Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> NISS Suite -> Uninstall
- ✔ Restart your PC after removal
- ✔ If you plan to reinstall, download the latest NISS installer from the official site
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If nissrv.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Too Many Managed Clients: Consolidate policy rules or reduce client load; review console for heavy agents.
- Frequent Policy Updates: Schedule updates during off-peak hours and limit concurrent updates.
- Resource-Intensive Compliance Scans: Tune scan scope in the policy to limit expensive checks.
- Outdated NISS Version: Update to the latest version; check for hotfixes on the vendor site.
- Conflicting Security Tools: Disable conflicting antivirus or endpoint protection plugins temporarily.
- Disk I/O Bottlenecks: Ensure fast storage and limit heavy logging to avoid I/O contention.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Services and restart the NISS Server Service
2. Check the NISS console for errors and correct policy mismatches
3. Limit the number of concurrently running scans
4. Update to the latest NISS release
5. Review and adjust logging level to reduce disk activity
Frequently Asked Questions
Is nissrv.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate nissrv.exe from NISS Software Corp is not a virus. Verify that it resides in C:\Program Files\NISS\Server\nissrv.exe and carries a valid digital signature.
Why is nissrv.exe using so much CPU?
CPU usage can spike during policy distribution or large-scale updates. Use the NISS console to identify high-load clients and schedule maintenance windows.
Can I delete nissrv.exe?
Deleting nissrv.exe would remove the NISS Server Service and disrupt security operations. Uninstall the NISS Suite from Settings if you no longer need it.
Can I disable nissrv.exe?
Yes. Stop the service via services.msc and set it to Disabled in the Startup settings. Ensure this won't affect policy enforcement.
Where is nissrv.exe located?
Typically C:\Program Files\NISS\Server\nissrv.exe. If you find it elsewhere, verify with the vendor and run a malware check.
How do I check the digital signature?
In Explorer, right-click nissrv.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. It should show a signature from 'NISS Software Corp'.