A detailed overview of the different aspects of endpoint security
There are countless benefits to living in this hyper-connected world, but the risks to it are no less, as well. The same increased levels of connectivity that lets your employees access your network from anywhere and anytime can also turn out to be the greatest threat for your business organization.
Reports suggest that the most dangerous security threats to businesses actually end up coming from the inside, either due to malice or simply because of negligence.
As more and more employees use different devices for accessing secure networks, there is a greater need for strengthening endpoint security. Endpoint security is all about protecting those devices, such as laptops, desktops, and mobiles, from being utilized for malicious attacks or being exploited.
Read on to know more about endpoint security, its different aspects, and its growing need for business organizations.
So, what exactly is endpoint security?
Endpoint security, also known as endpoint protection, is the approach to detect malicious activities and protect secure networks, like mobile devices, desktops, and servers from attacks.
Every time a mobile phone, notebook, tablet, or laptop connects to the network, it opens up a possible threat path. Though the IoT (Internet of Things) needs continued creation of endpoints in the secure network, businesses need to realize that these endpoints are also the easiest targets.
Majority of the modern business organizations feel susceptible to security threats, and they believe that the reasons for this vulnerability are:
- Lack of awareness or training among employees
- An increasing number of users having access to private data
- Insufficient solutions or strategies for data protection
Endpoint security is all about protecting the different endpoints that your employees have, which includes the network, and at the same time making sure that your employees can access your network securely as required without feeding into the chances of malware attacks.
The way endpoint security works
Endpoint security protects all the files on each device and each entry point. Securing the endpoints of a company involves a couple of factors, such as:
- Network access controlling
- Multifactor authentication
- Patching and updating software
- Employing anti-malware software
A client-server model is used by the endpoint security systems. It has a centrally managed system for protecting the network along with the software installed on every endpoint used to access the network. Endpoint authentication is used by the network administrator for restricting access to particular users unless exact security standards are put in place.
Antivirus software vs. endpoint security
Antivirus software is just a part of the comprehensive endpoint security platform. Antivirus software has the responsibility to protect individual devices, while endpoint security aims to protect the whole network.
The latter protects the endpoints by offering added security layers and centralized safety measures at every endpoint. Implementation of endpoint security depends on factors like the size of the network, policies for bringing your own device, remote employees, and demands for centralized security measures.
Advantages of endpoint security
As the employees are connecting to business networks through their desktops, mobile devices, and laptops, while working from their home, on their way, or in the office, the access points increase, and so does the pathways for threats.
An increasing number of companies now have BYOD (bring your own device) policies, which increases the threats even further, as more and more personal devices get to connect with secure business networks. The practices like these increase the risks of storing and displaying sensitive data on the endpoints, which are highly susceptible to attacks.
Having a centralized security approach for protecting the business network is of no use if you do not have an endpoint security system working for you, as well. After all, the endpoints are the easiest and the most common entry points for all kinds of cyberattacks. Reports have also suggested that it puts the most valuable data, like financial data, intellectual property, and customer data at risk. Compromising on any of these data means a tremendous loss for a company.
With the borders of the network security perimeters of the businesses continues to grow and change, because of the help of IoT, among other things, it is time for the companies to invest in endpoint security systems for protecting sensitive data from both intentional and unintentional attacks.