Endpoint security relates to defending your network from cyber attacks which come from devices that access your network. Every time an endpoint device connects to your business’s network, it represents a possible access point for cybercriminals. Cyber criminals are using sophisticated methods to infiltrate networks. This is putting endpoints under pressure as an entry-point to your network.
A network endpoint is any electronic asset that is connected to the business’ network that transmits or receives data. Common Endpoint devices are desktops, laptops, tablets, mobiles, IoT devices and point of sale (POS) terminals.
Open endpoints can become an easy target for hackers. You need to be assured that if your staff uses their device that provides that entry point, that it won’t harm your business network. This is why businesses deploy Managed Endpoint Security (sometimes known as Endpoint Security Management or Endpoint Detection and Response – EDR.)
Deploying Managed Endpoint Security
When you employ managed endpoint security, you are in effect putting in a process to authenticate and monitor access to your network through your devices. You’ll have security policies put in place to prevent any external or internal threats to your network.
Your devices that are accessing your networks over remote/internet connections are the most prevalent devices that require endpoint management.
There are also specialised endpoints such as specialised embedded software that secure and manages your internet of things (IoT) devices, such as remote sensors and industrial controls. They will need managed endpoint security, too.
Managed endpoint security enables you to see all of your devices, real-time and deploy any updates or new applications whilst being able to identify and react quickly to any security breaches. The more endpoint devices a business has deployed, the greater the need to manage them all.
Types of Endpoint Attacks
Endpoint attacks are wide-ranging and increasingly sophisticated, below are the most common forms of attacks against your endpoint devices.
Email Phishing is the most common form of cyber-attack that takes place today. Cybercriminals attempt to gain sensitive information through fraudulent emails displaying under the guise of something above-board e.g. an email from your bank. Their ever-increasing sophistication, puts even the most cautious of users at risk. With endpoint devices being used to access those emails then that creates more opportunities for a network breach.
“Evil Maid” Attacks are made by a physical hacker implementing a piece of software onto a device left unattended. Fortunately, these attacks are usually only targeted at high-profile names, however, whilst the average business may not need to worry about this kind of attack, it’s still important that your employees know the importance of not leaving endpoint devices unattended.
“Drive-by Download” Attacks are where malicious code or malware is downloaded onto your device. This can happen where users download a document without realising there is a virus attached or, more worryingly is the occasions where your endpoint can be infected just by visiting a website.
Benefits of Endpoint Management Security
- Avoid Excess Server Downtime – Endpoint devices are a risk to your servers, the more devices, the bigger the risk. Should your servers go down, that can mean a loss of business, productivity or data. Reduce the risk of server downtime with endpoint management security so you can ensure that your devices, networks and users are protected.
- Prevent Malware - Malware can find its way onto your network via one of your endpoint devices. Malware is malicious and can obtain or delete data, and monitor activity without consent. Endpoint Management enables you to distribute security measures and monitor for any potential attempts and take action, immediately.
- Prevent Breaches – With endpoint management, you can monitor and record every asset your business owns, identify who is online, and using your network. Anomalies will be identified and removed before they cause harm to your network and devices.
- Prevent Incidents - Some of the most challenging threats to identify are advanced persistent threats. These types of cyber-attacks are where a hacker gains access to your network and stays to cause the most damage. Endpoint management security gives you the ability to constantly monitor your devices and be able to detect and respond to any breeches, quickly.
- Increasing Visibility – You’ll have a complete view of all endpoints so you are able to detect and monitor the devices, real-time and be able to respond to any cyber threats, quickly.
- Financial - A breach will cost your business and if it’s bad enough it could put you out of the business if customer data, intellectual property or trade secrets are leaked. Alongside the cost of repairing any affected hardware or software.
- Time - When endpoint security solutions are in place, your IT team will have more time for their main responsibilities.
- Compliance- Endpoint security can make it easier for those businesses that have stringent regulations and compliance to adhere to regarding data security.
- Building Resiliency - Patches, imaging, and app deployment can be managed from a central platform as resiliency is built into the network by instilling comprehensive management across the business.
- Quick Deployment – Business systems and applications can be deployed to your devices, quickly. You can also update any security measures on devices, quickly and in bulk.