Why Is Endpoint Security Important?

What is Endpoint Security?

Endpoints are simply devices that serve as points of access to a network, such as laptops or smartphones. When an endpoint is connected to a network, it is a point of entry that can be exploited if when it is unsecure.

Endpoint security refers to the protection of these ports of entry from hackers and malware attacks.

Why is it Necessary?

Increasingly, enterprises and their employees are incorporating practices to make access to data more fluid. The increase in BYOD (bring your own device) policies, in addition to threats targeting mobile device access and networks, create multiple endpoint vulnerabilities. In addition, employees working from home or connecting to Wi-Fi networks to work on-the-go means that the enterprise network security perimeter is more porous than ever.

In the past, most security breaches came in through the network. Today, however, threats are increasingly coming in through endpoints, which means centralized network protection does not go far enough. Shifting security perimeters that lack a clear definition requires new layers of security through endpoint protection. Security must maintain greater control over access points to prevent the vulnerabilities that can arise through the use of remote devices.

What Does Endpoint Security Consist Of?

There isn’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all endpoint security solution that will work for every network. However, a typical network will often require cybersecurity tools, such as the following, to maintain secure endpoints.

Preventative Tools

All of the best cybersecurity solutions involve predictive, proactive tools that help to prevent cyberattacks from occurring in the first place. These include:

• Antivirus and web protection
• Intrusion prevention systems
• Endpoint encryption
• Firewalls

The idea is to make it really, really difficult for any sort of malicious software to breach the endpoint in the first place.

Incident Response

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to 100 percent guarantee network security. Cyberthreats are constantly evolving, and sometimes, hackers find ways to exploit even the strongest preventative cybersecurity tools.

For this reason, any good endpoint security system will have a plan for incident response. This includes behavior monitoring and sandboxing software to allow for the swift quarantine and removal of any data breach.

Bring-Your-Own-Device Policy

Many businesses allow employees to use their own devices (as opposed to company-issued devices) to connect to the company network. As a result, it’s crucial to implement a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy.

A BYOD policy governs the ways in which employees may use their personal devices for work. It sets cybersecurity standards to make sure they’re always following company protocol when using their own devices to access the company network.

Endpoint security solutions are an absolute must. If you’re unsure about what your company is doing about securing potentially vulnerable endpoints, speak to your IT provider today.