The implementation of BYOD policies has added a new layer of complexity to endpoint lifecycle management. Admins are now responsible for provisioning new devices and ensuring that they comply with company security policies. This includes remote devices that employees use for work, which can pose unique security threats if not properly managed.
The mass migration to digitization and cloud computing to enable remote work in the past year has also increased the need for data security more than ever. The integration of IoT devices into the workplace has expanded the range of endpoints that need to be managed, making endpoint protection a critical aspect of cybersecurity. With the concurrent rise in cyberattacks, businesses of every scale must take cybersecurity seriously. Protecting the data privacy and security of your organization also means protecting your clients and other stakeholders’ data. Ultimately, this will affect your company’s reputation overall. An essential aspect of enterprise-level cybersecurity is endpoint lifecycle management. Endpoint management is how an organization manages, protects, updates, and deploys various endpoint devices. Examples of such devices are computers, servers, phones, tablets, and now, IoT devices. Protecting endpoints offers key advantages and here are examples of how you stand to benefit from them.
1. Improves Productivity & Sustainability
UDT Endpoint Solutions enables you to make informed IT decisions with better data, a predictable budget, and an optimized end-user experience. The use of apps on smartphones, personal devices, and other IoT devices enhances the functionality of these devices, making them more versatile and useful in a variety of situations. Automation of routine tasks and configurations can further improve productivity by reducing the time and effort required for these tasks. Additionally, cloud-based apps allow for seamless integration and synchronization across multiple devices, enhancing the overall user experience and productivity.
2. Increases Operational Efficiency
A great benefit of enabling a structured process for asset support and management is accelerating time-to-value. In the absence of a structured approach, haphazard asset management gives way to ineffective asset refresh and support capabilities. This is then detrimental to productivity and general user satisfaction. Automation can streamline these processes, making them more efficient and less prone to errors. Moreover, cloud-based systems allow for real-time updates and easy access to necessary tools and applications, further increasing operational efficiency.
Admins can use advanced security tools to monitor and manage devices, reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency. These tools can also help with the provisioning of new devices, ensuring that they are set up correctly and ready for use.
3. Strengthens Security
Not a single day passes without millions of cyberattacks occurring globally of various kinds. They can vary in nature, techniques employed, and severity – with some being far more critical and damaging in nature than others. But although reports and studies show that cyberattacks can vary in nature, what they have in common, more often than not, is that a vast majority of them target endpoints. The use of apps and automated systems can help to strengthen security by detecting and responding to threats more quickly and effectively. Implementing strong security policies and authentication protocols can further enhance the security of your endpoints. Regular updates and patches for your windows and other operating systems can protect against malware and other potential threats. The adoption of a zero-trust model, where every device is treated as potentially compromised, can further enhance endpoint protection.
Security threats are constantly evolving, and admins need to stay one step ahead to protect the organization’s data and systems. This includes keeping up to date with the latest security tools and best practices, and ensuring that all devices, including remote devices, are properly secured.
4. Facilitates Retrieval of Data on Lost, Stolen, or Broken Devices
Whether through loss, theft, or damage, asset lifecycle security saves organizations the headache of replacing damaged devices or retrieving sensitive data. Endpoint management protects organizations even in instances where, for example, an employee given a company-issued laptop for remote work refuses to return the device upon resignation. Asset Lifecycle Security solutions enable your management system to take control of the device wherever it may be at the moment. Using tools, you can push messages to the device to communicate instructions for returning it, or even wipe the device clean altogether to secure sensitive data that might be maliciously profiteered from by a disgruntled former employee.
5. Facilitates Remote Work Security
One of the less-than-ideal consequences of the mass migration to the cloud is the level of unpredictability and loss of control over how employees carry out their day-to-day operations remotely. Although being remote-work-enabled does offer many advantages in terms of increased efficiency, productivity, and convenience for professionals, organizations cannot ultimately monitor if remote workers are following security best practices to protect enterprise data such as using a virtual private network (VPN) for example. The use of smartphones and other mobile devices can increase the risk of security breaches, but with proper endpoint management, these risks can be mitigated. Implementing secure remote access protocols can further enhance the security of your remote workforce.
With the rise of remote work, managing and securing remote devices has become a critical aspect of endpoint lifecycle management. Admins need to ensure that these devices are properly provisioned and that they comply with the organization’s security policies. This includes using security tools to monitor and manage these devices and taking swift action to address any security threats.
6. Saves Money
One of the most significant long-term benefits of endpoint security is the potential amount of money it can save your company in the long term. Although the upfront capital expenditure and the recurring costs to cover in setting it up endpoint management and protections are considerable, what you stand to gain and save will be worth it. Automation can help to reduce these costs by streamlining processes and reducing the need for manual intervention. Additionally, cloud-based systems can offer scalable solutions that grow with your business, ensuring you only pay for what you need.
7. Creates Peace of Mind
How much is your enterprise’s peace of mind worth? If your enterprise values your people, your brand, and the data security of your various stakeholders, then your peace of mind cannot be quantified. Having Endpoint Lifecycle Management provides the fundamental security solutions that allow you to protect what is most important, most especially because endpoint devices pose the greatest security vulnerability in any system. The use of apps and automated systems can help to enhance this security, giving you greater peace of mind.
Take Control
Take control of your digital perimeter and focus on your business objectives through a flexible, scalable, and predictable solution. Contact us today for more information about our unified endpoint management solutions, mobile device management, and other endpoint management tools. With the rise of IoT, the need for robust endpoint lifecycle management has never been more critical. By implementing a zero-trust model and focusing on remediation, organizations can ensure the security of their network and protect their valuable data.
