What is Endpoint Management?
Most companies have employees or owners that connect to the business network remotely. But each new remote device creates another endpoint on your business network and increases the number of vulnerable network endpoints. All cell phones, laptops, tablets, printers and other networked devices are potential entry points for cyberattacks. The FBI reported a more than 400% increase in cybercrime after the worldwide shift to remote work. So, what is endpoint management for small business owners? It’s a way to secure vulnerable nodes on your network and has become a crucial part of SMB cybersecurity.
Q: What are endpoint management applications, and why are they important in modern IT environments?
A: Endpoint management monitors, manages, secures and updates endpoint devices, such as laptops, desktops, mobile phones and tablets. These applications are essential in modern IT environments because they provide centralized control over a growing number of endpoints, especially with the rise of remote work and bring-your-own-device policies. Effective endpoint management ensures consistent security enforcement, patching and compliance across all devices, reducing the attack surface and improving operational efficiency.
What is Endpoint Security?
Endpoint security is the process of securing all of your business’s networked devices against cyberattacks. It has been reported that more than 70% of cyberattacks are launched through a network endpoint; therefore, device security has become a priority. Even worse, an endpoint network breach left undetected might easily expand to your entire network. One unprotected mobile device can give cybercriminals access to all your hard-earned data.
Endpoints have become the most vulnerable parts of networks and are responsible for some of the most significant data breaches. Your small or midsized business could be “brought to its knees” by an unsuspecting employee who is not following cybersecurity best practices. Additionally, many companies that have reinvented their workflow for a remote-access environment may not have kept up with securing endpoints. At the same time, cybercriminals are releasing new, more robust and sophisticated versions of malware.
Almost two-thirds of SMBs are unaware of their network endpoint vulnerabilities, and, if attacked, cannot isolate the origin of the incident and respond quickly and effectively enough to contain such a breach. However, there are some cybersecurity basics that can help protect endpoints:
- Passwords and Administrative Permissions – Your company must follow basic cybersecurity protocols. These include requiring complex passwords from all users and removing administrative permissions from non-administrators based on what their specific jobs require
- Identify Your Endpoints – Pay extra attention to ensure that only approved devices can log on to your network. Also, see that all approved devices have the same protection to lock down vulnerable endpoints
- Automate Endpoint Security – Early detection through automated alerts and a prompt response is critical. Off-the-shelf antivirus software is no longer enough to protect your business. Solid protection only comes through an integrated endpoint solution that can defend against the current array of cyber threats
- Ensure Employee Compliance with Best Practices – The greatest threat to endpoint security is an employee carelessly clicking on unknown and malicious attachments in emails and texts. Therefore, it’s essential to nurture a corporate culture in which everyone works to protect your company’s network
Q: How can organizations ensure security and compliance through endpoint management?
A: Enhance security and compliance by using endpoint management tools to enforce encryption, ensure timely software updates, manage antivirus solutions and apply security configurations across all endpoints. Regular compliance checks and audits can be automated through the platform, while integration with mobile device management (MDM) and identity access management (IAM) systems adds additional layers of security. Real-time alerts and analytics also help in quickly identifying non-compliant or compromised devices.
Device Security is not a simple matter, but what is endpoint security? It entails a long list of considerations, including:
- Up-to-Date Virus Protection Software – Provides a fundamental component of cybersecurity
- URL Filters – Allow you to restrict internet access to any websites that are not trusted
- Application Control – Whitelist, greylist and blacklist labels can designate what actions applications have permission to execute
- Network Access Control – Controls which devices may be used and what users can open on your network by controlling network access
- Web Browser Isolation – Isolates the browsing environment so you can separate safe, interactive streaming from accessing your most valuable data assets. Web browser isolation also destroys browser codes at the end of a browsing session
- Endpoint Encryption – Helps prevent data leaks during data transfer by fully encrypting the data stored on endpoints
- Email Gateways – Monitors email traffic and blocks some potentially dangerous email deliveries
- Sandboxing – Isolates potential threats by creating a duplicate operating system, allowing you to observe those suspect files safely. Qualified personnel can then analyze the files before allowing them into your network
Q: What challenges are commonly faced during the execution of an endpoint management strategy, and how can they be overcome?
A: Common challenges include managing a diverse range of devices and operating systems, ensuring user privacy while enforcing policies, handling network bandwidth during mass updates and securing remote or offline devices. These can be addressed by selecting scalable and cross-platform endpoint management tools, using bandwidth throttling features, adopting a zero-trust security model and providing adequate training to IT teams and end-users.
What’s the Best Way to Secure Your Network Endpoints?
Cybercriminals continue to find new, creative ways of attacking your private or business data. They want this data to exploit directly or resell (repeatedly) to other cybercriminals. Many SMBs are beginning to consider security for employees working remotely or using their own devices. “What is endpoint security?” and “What is endpoint management?” are common questions from our clients. Most smaller businesses have neither the time nor the budget for a full-time IT department. However, SMBs can utilize managed service IT experts to assess their cyber vulnerability and help them design the best layers of protection for their valuable data.
Cyberattack are expensive, disruptive and expose you to ongoing liability and risk. Reach out to us if you are in the greater New York City area, or a local IT security firm to begin security remote network endpoints.