All devices connected to your enterprise network represent a possible vulnerable entry point to your data system. All it takes is a simple app that contains malware on an employee’s smartphone that could allow hackers to gain access to sensitive data. The increase of endpoint vulnerabilities now necessitates automatic security and the systemic hardening of endpoint protection strategy. This includes the use of anti-malware solutions to protect against known and unknown threats.

In this context, an endpoint protection platform becomes crucial. It provides a centralized approach to protect all endpoints – servers, desktops, laptops, smartphones and other internet of things (IoT) devices connected to the corporate IT network from cyber threats. This approach enables the detection, prevention and response to cyberattacks in a timely manner. Admins can use these platforms to manage security policies and ensure that all devices comply with the company’s security standards.

Endpoint security solutions are a key component of a robust endpoint protection strategy. These solutions include endpoint security software and endpoint protection platforms that provide comprehensive protection against a wide range of cybersecurity threats. Many providers offer solutions that integrate with existing IT infrastructure, making it easier to manage and monitor endpoint security.

1. Centralized Data Management

Managing hundreds or thousands of computers, terminals, and mobile devices on your enterprise network is hardly possible or practical. A host of errors, including substandard system integration, redundant alerts, or overwhelming administration duties are some of the undesirable outcomes of piecing together disjointed security solutions.

Having a single, centralized solution for monitoring the security of your network and endpoints enables your business to achieve fewer security incidents, a reduction in technology and management costs, a timelier response to unwanted or suspicious activity, and easier deployment of complementary features or products.

With the rise in cyberattacks, especially ransomware attacks, having a centralized data management system is more important than ever. It allows for quick detection and response to any cybersecurity threats, thereby reducing potential damage.

Endpoint detection and response is a critical aspect of centralized data management. It involves continuously monitoring endpoints to detect suspicious activities, and responding quickly to mitigate the impact of any potential cyberattacks. This is a key part of threat protection, helping to safeguard your organization against the evolving threat landscape.

2. Data Protection

It is hard to develop an effective data security program without consideration for endpoint data protection. By limiting access to and securing your endpoints, you are removing possible vulnerabilities and exposure points for your enterprise data.

Apart from the endpoint security tools mentioned, your enterprise must address data encryption needs, data loss prevention, network segregation, and the monitoring of file integrity.

Your centralized tool for administering and monitoring endpoint security should ideally generate insight into the security of your data assets and critical system files.

In the face of increasing cybersecurity threats, it’s essential to have a robust data protection strategy in place. This includes the use of an endpoint protection platform (EPP) that can provide comprehensive security for all desktops and laptops in the network.

Endpoint security software plays a crucial role in data protection. It provides real-time protection for endpoints, blocking malicious activities and providing immediate alerts about any potential security threats. These solutions can protect against both known threats and emerging threats, helping to keep your data safe.

3. Full Device OS Coverage

Research conducted by Cass Information Systems revealed that 85% of organizations are implementing a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy in their office in some capacity. Other companies opting for a more conservative approach to mobile device management for employees may have a choose-your-own device (COYD) policy.

The result of this is that many enterprise networks may contain multiple operating systems apart from just Windows or Linux. A single organization may have users that utilize Windows, several iterations of iOS and Android, thereby necessitating an endpoint protection strategy that must include tools for monitoring every type of OS existing on your network. This leaves manually securing every flaw in each OS as the only alternative, which is resource prohibitive.

Automation in cybersecurity can play a significant role here. Automated tools can help in continuously monitoring and securing all types of OS, thereby reducing the burden on IT teams and enhancing the overall security posture.

Endpoint protection solutions can provide full device OS coverage, protecting all endpoints regardless of the operating system they use. These solutions can automatically detect and respond to threats, ensuring that all endpoints are secure.

4. Incidence Response Process

A 2018 Verizon Data Breach Report conducted by Verizon found that 82 percent of modern cybercriminals complete data retrieval within minutes, while 75 percent of organizations fail to respond to the incident for weeks or longer. Visibility alone is not enough to reduce endpoint vulnerabilities.

Across the industry, there is a move towards stronger incident response processes. Security Week noted the Enterprise Security Research that states 29 percent of organizations hope to improve response mechanisms. But 38 percent of security teams feel that too much time and human capital resources are used reactively responding to data threats and putting out fires, rather than improving actual incident response. A total of 29 percent of organizations are frustrated by the manual effort needed to respond.

The obvious solution is to develop a robust endpoint protection strategy that utilizes a centralized, automated tool to enable timely response. Advanced threat intelligence is also needed to distinguish between negative and normal activity on complex networks.

Automation can significantly improve the incidence response process. It can help in quickly identifying and responding to cybersecurity threats, thereby minimizing the potential damage.

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions can play a key role in improving the incidence response process. These solutions can automatically detect threats and initiate response actions, reducing the time and effort required to respond to cybersecurity incidents.

5. Incident Remediation

Reaching Stage 5 security maturity according to the Forrester model requires that your enterprise activity is fully automated, consistent, and wholly effective.

Robust endpoint and data asset protection require the ability to remediate incidents at the time of the detection. An integrated security management tool will help your enterprise gain the ability to have visibility into threats and reverse changes in real-time on your endpoint devices.

In the face of increasing ransomware attacks, having an effective incident remediation process is crucial. This includes the ability to quickly isolate affected systems and restore them to their pre-attack state, thereby minimizing downtime and business disruption.

Endpoint protection solutions can provide effective incident remediation capabilities. These solutions can automatically isolate affected endpoints and initiate remediation actions, helping to minimize the impact of cybersecurity incidents.

6. Mobile Threat Management

IT professionals need to keep pace with the proliferation of mobile threats with security methods that are easy and simple to maintain. Several technical safeguards can be implemented to ensure your enterprise has maximized its protection strategy.

Your business’ endpoint security protection management may include the use of mobile VPNs, multi-factor authentication (MFA), third-party content control and monitoring, mobile device management platforms, agent-based mobile monitoring, and the on-device segregation of business apps and data.

Technical standards can be highly subjective to your organization. At the very least, businesses need to ensure secure data connections and continuously monitor all mobile devices.

Given the rise in cyberattacks targeting mobile devices, it’s essential to have a robust mobile threat management strategy. This includes the use of an endpoint protection platform that can provide comprehensive security for all mobile devices in the network.

Endpoint security software can provide effective mobile threat management capabilities. It can protect mobile devices from a wide range of threats, including malware, phishing attacks, and other forms of cyberattacks.

7. Multiple Forms of Security Protection

It takes more than just a firewall or antivirus program to protect your enterprise data sufficiently. At the very least, your endpoint protection strategy should include the deployment of device firewalls, internet security and filtering, mobile device security and management solutions, intrusion detection tools, application controls, and encryption.

Enterprises need to seek security professionals that can offer multi-device protection on their network, as well as agent-based solutions that can provide continuous security monitoring.

In the face of evolving cybersecurity threats, it’s important to have multiple forms of security protection. This includes not just traditional measures like firewalls and antivirus programs, but also more advanced solutions like an endpoint protection platform and automated threat detection and response tools.

Endpoint protection solutions can provide multiple forms of security protection. These solutions can protect endpoints from a wide range of threats, and can integrate with other security solutions to provide comprehensive protection for your enterprise.

8. Ongoing Detection

An active endpoint protection strategy must include ongoing detection mechanisms. These are usually enabled by communication between monitoring agents on each device, and a central management portal.

Anton Chuvakin of Gartner initially coined the term “endpoint threat detection and response” in 2013, specified three use cases for endpoint visibility which are data search and investigations, suspicious activity detection, and data exploration.

It is crucial for your organization to possess the ability to detect changes in seconds before they affect your company’s network. Detecting cudden abnormalities in end-user behavior, malicious file content, or other risks, your enterprise security team can enable an appropriate response.

9. Security Maturity KPIs

It is important to understand that security is an iterative process. Organizations need to continually monitor, assess, respond, and remediate to avoid threat incidents. Understanding the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of your baseline and goals help your organization make progress towards improved threat management for your endpoints.

10. User Security Awareness

The massive security vulnerability that endpoints pose can hardly be overestimated. A simple click on a link that turns out to be a malicious one, a file uploaded to a shared folder on the cloud, or unauthorized use of your device by a third party can expose your enterprise in seconds. Data leakage, accidental vulnerability exploits, and lost devices are among the sources of user-generated endpoint security risks.

Instilling awareness and positive security behaviors amongst staff requires ongoing hands-on training programs that encourage them to accept security updates, avoid non-secure wireless networks, and prevent dangerous app content. Such training programs should also include security updates to acceptable use policies that will clarify behavioral expectations for mobile users.

User security awareness is a crucial aspect of cybersecurity. It’s important to regularly educate users about the latest cybersecurity threats and how they can protect themselves and the organization. This includes training on how to identify and avoid potential ransomware attacks.

Protect Your Business with EPP

Implementing a strong endpoint security protection strategy requires a comprehensive and all-encompassing approach. The security threats that organizations face an increase in sophistication and frequency all the time, and using simple antivirus software or firewall or basic network segregation protocols won’t cut it. The key to digital asset protection is a holistic and integrated management solution which enables total data visibility, response, and remediation.

As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, it’s crucial for organizations to have a robust endpoint protection strategy in place. This includes the use of an endpoint protection platform, regular monitoring of all desktops and laptops, quick detection and response to cyberattacks, and ongoing user security awareness training.