Endpoint security protects individual devices (endpoints) from a range of cyber risks. It monitors device behavior and detects and blocks threats. It can also isolate compromised endpoints to prevent damage from spreading. Endpoints include all laptops, desktops, mobile devices, and IoT equipment used in an organization. Securing these assets is a sizable challenge.
To help you safeguard your company’s devices across different environments (including remote working), we highlight the importance of endpoint security, how it works, and its major benefits.
Why Is Endpoint Security Important?
Robust endpoint security is critically important to any organization as it has a direct impact on your business’s security posture, operations, and reputation.
Endpoints are increasingly vulnerable in the modern workplace. Firstly, cybercriminals are more active and sophisticated than ever. In 2024, there were 1.229 billion cyberattack victim notices (up 211% from 2023). Secondly, remote work has introduced more personal devices into corporate networks. This presents hackers with more potential weaknesses to exploit.
By exploiting an endpoint, malicious actors can infiltrate your larger network, steal valuable data, and potentially shut down operations.
Unprotected endpoints are vulnerable to a host of criminal activities, including:
Malware
Malicious software designed to harm or exploit your system. Common types of malware include viruses, spyware, and Trojans.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a specific type of malware that encrypts your files or locks devices. In essence, criminals hold your data or assets for ransom and demand payment to restore your access.
Phishing
In phishing attacks, attackers impersonate a legitimate party (e.g. a head office manager) to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or installing malware. Attacks are often perpetrated via emails or messages.
Insider threats
Insider threats are security risks from individuals within your organization. A malicious employee or manager could sabotage data or steal money or information. Sometimes, a poorly protected data system is damaged unintentionally through staff negligence.
Zero-day exploits
Zero-day threats take advantage of previously unknown vulnerabilities in software before a patch (fix) is available. This allows intruders to infiltrate systems undetected.
Without stringent endpoint security, you are leaving your digital doors open to these kinds of dangers. Cyberattacks are often costly and damaging, resulting in major financial losses. On average data breaches cost organizations $4.88 million in 2024. Besides direct theft, costs include:
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- Regulatory fines and legal fees
- Reputational damage
- Eroded trust
- Possibly a ransomware payment
- Expensive downtime (unplanned downtime costs large companies $400 billion annually)
What Are The Benefits Of Endpoint Security?
Here are the important advantages of an effective endpoint security system:
Protection against cyber threats
Hackers are active 24/7/365, coming up with new ways of gaining access to corporate networks. The foremost purpose of endpoint protection is to safeguard your business from these relentless and evolving assaults.
Strong endpoint security keeps your data, network resources, and employees safe and your operations on track.
Centralized management
Most endpoint security solutions allow you to monitor and manage security from one endpoint protection platform. This helps to simplify administration and enforce consistent security across the business.
Improved productivity
By protecting devices from downtime caused by cyberattacks, endpoint protection creates a stable work environment, free of disruptions and contaminated data issues. When your team members aren’t tearing their hair out because of system and data frustrations, they’re inevitably more productive.
Regulatory compliance
Endpoint management supports compliance with data protection regulations such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR. An appropriate endpoint policy ensures your organization meets these strict requirements, maintains customer trust, and avoids legal troubles.
Real-time threat detection and action
Effective endpoint security provides real-time investigation and remediation capabilities. This rapid response footing is invaluable in swiftly containing and minimizing potential damage.
Better remote workforce security
With remote and hybrid work a modern reality, ensuring the security of employee devices and networks is crucial. Endpoint security solutions provide the necessary controls and visibility to protect remote endpoints. This allows your teams to work securely from anywhere.
While organizations cannot control a personal device entirely as they would a company-issued laptop, you can implement the following policies and tools to protect business data:
- Identity Access Management (IAM)
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
- Zero Trust Security and Multi-Factor Authentication (discussed under “Components” below)
How Does Endpoint Security Work?
Endpoint protection works as a multi-layered defense system to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats targeting devices. An endpoint security system uses a combination of approaches to defend and respond to:
- Real-time monitoring – including AI-driven threat intelligence.
- Advanced threat detection – including next-generation antivirus (NGAV) and machine learning algorithms to recognize and block malware.
- Automated response mechanisms – to isolate malicious files or compromised devices quickly and prevent lateral spread.
- Access control and data protection – to safeguard data and endpoint devices even if they are lost or stolen
System administrators utilize a centralized management console to administer and manage the security of all devices on the network.
Cloud-based vs on-premises endpoint security
Organizations deploy endpoint security in two main ways – cloud-based or on-premises. Each has distinct advantages:
- Cloud-based: This arrangement is managed remotely and offers faster deployment and real-time updates. It is well suited to businesses with remote teams and BYOD (bring your own device) policies.
- On-premises: Here endpoint security is hosted within the company’s network, providing direct control over data protection. It is widely used in industries such as finance and healthcare where regulations require that data is safeguarded on-site.
Many businesses adopt a hybrid approach, combining cloud-based agility with on-premises control.
The Components Of Endpoint Security
Let’s look at the core elements of this security practice.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
Endpoint Detection and Response analyzes patterns and identifies unusual activities. The goal is to respond to threats proactively before they cause harm or spread.
EDR encompasses:
- Real-time monitoring and threat intelligence.
- Detection of advanced threats like zero-day exploits and sophisticated malware.
- Automated responses to dynamic security incidents.
- Isolation of compromised devices and files so that they don’t infect the larger network.
Next-generation antivirus (NGAV)
Hackers are constantly devising new malware to bypass traditional antivirus solutions. Next-generation antivirus (NGAV) goes beyond signature-based detection. Using AI and machine learning, it is more adept at identifying emerging threats.
Endpoint encryption
Endpoint encryption encrypts files and device storage to protect sensitive data. This ensures that even if data is stolen, it cannot be accessed without proper authentication.
Critical data should be encrypted both while being transmitted (e.g. emails, file transfers, or remote meeting sessions) and when stored on endpoint devices.
Application and device control
Application and device control prevents malware-infected USB drives and other hardware as well as unauthorized software from compromising your company’s security. It acts to:
- Restrict unauthorized applications from running on endpoints.
- Block unapproved USB devices (e.g. flash drives and external hard drives).
- Implement application whitelisting to allow approved software and blacklisting to block unauthorized or potentially malicious applications.
Zero Trust Security and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Zero Trust Security and Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) are designed to protect against stolen credentials and insider security threats.
These protocols involve:
- A “Never Trust, Always Verify” policy where every user and device must prove its authenticity before accessing the corporate network.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires at least a 2-step verification process to log in to company accounts. For instance, the user must input a password plus biometric data (e.g. a fingerprint scan) or a One-Time Password sent to their phone.
- Conditional access that only allows logins from company-approved devices.
Firewalls
Firewalls play a vital role in safeguarding individual devices from threats by monitoring and controlling network traffic. They act as a barrier between trusted and untrusted networks, regulating traffic based on security rules. Firewall functions include:
- Packet filtering – Allows or blocks data packets based on predefined criteria.
- Intrusion prevention – Blocks unauthorized access and malicious activity.
- Logging and reporting – Records network activity to assist in ongoing threat management.
Data Loss and Prevention (DLP)
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools actively scan and monitor data at rest, in motion, and during processing. The goal is to maintain data integrity, confidentiality, and security.
DLP utilizes advanced detection techniques to identify potential leaks or unauthorized data transfers. Upon detecting an anomaly, DLP tools respond by notifying administrators or blocking the data transfer.
Patch management
Patch management is a fundamental aspect of endpoint security. It ensures that all endpoint devices are running the latest security updates and software patches. Updated software is less likely to contain gaps that hackers can infiltrate.
Acrisure Cyber Provides Advanced Endpoint Security Solutions
For over two decades, Acrisure Cyber has been at the forefront of cybersecurity solutions, safeguarding businesses nationwide.
We don’t just implement security measures – we create a customized, robust security framework to defend your company from all angles. Our advanced endpoint security solutions include:
- 360° threat assessment
- Latest endpoint security software
- Full compliance with regulations
- Next-generation firewall services and detection capabilities
- Ongoing support and continuous monitoring
Why choose Acrisure Cyber for your endpoint protection?
- Our expertise – With two decades of experience, we have encountered and mitigated nearly every type of cyber threat. We proactively look ahead to anticipate future threats, ensuring you are prepared for tomorrow’s online dangers.
- Risk-based cost efficiency – We help you allocate your security budget wisely to deliver maximum endpoint protection without spending unnecessarily.
- Cutting-edge technology – We leverage AI, automation, and the latest cybersecurity tools to protect your business like it’s our own.
- Complete security – Managed endpoint protection is one element of our full-spectrum managed security services. This means you can access broader security support easily.
FAQs
What is an endpoint?
In a network context, an endpoint is any device that connects to and communicates with the network. Common examples are:
- Desktops
- Laptops
- Mobile phones
- Tablets
- Servers
- Printers and copiers
- IoT machines
- Security cameras, smart thermostats, and sensors
What is the difference between endpoint security and antivirus?
Traditional antivirus software is installed on a device to detect and remove known viruses. Endpoint security provides a broader and more proactive defense. Instead of protecting an individual device, endpoint security protects all the endpoints connecting to the business network.
The protection includes real-time monitoring, AI-based threat detection, and response mechanisms to deal with advanced cybersecurity threats.
Are endpoint security and antivirus the same?
Antivirus is not the same as endpoint security. Antivirus software aims to identify and remove viruses and is usually incorporated as a part of an endpoint security solution. Endpoint protection is a larger interconnected security system encompassing antivirus, encryption, detection and response, and DLP (data loss protection).
What is the difference between endpoint security and a firewall?
Endpoint security protects devices such as laptops, desktops, and mobile devices from cyber dangers like malware and phishing attacks. It monitors behavior, detects threats, and can isolate compromised devices to prevent damage from spreading.
A firewall is a network security shield that controls network traffic based on predefined rules. It typically protects the entire network infrastructure by preventing unauthorized access and malicious acts. An endpoint firewall can be installed on individual devices for localized security.
Both firewalls and endpoint security are essential components of a strong cybersecurity strategy.
Is a proxy What is the difference between SIEM and endpoint security? safe to use?
SIEM stands for Security Information and Event Management. SIEM collects data and analyzes logs for suspicious activity across an entire network. Endpoint security primarily focuses on monitoring and protecting endpoints and quarantining infected devices.
Good security protocol recommends you integrate endpoint protection with SIEM to bolster cyber defenses.
What is the difference between endpoint security and EDR?
Endpoint security protects endpoints from cyber threats using measures like:
- Antivirus software
- Firewalls
- Intrusion prevention
- Device control
- Patching
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems boast advanced monitoring, detection, and rapid response capabilities, allowing them to catch attacks that bypass initial defenses. Modern endpoint security can include EDR, providing both proactive prevention and reactive threat detection.