Globally, organisations have to deal with huge amounts of devices and data that have increased the risk landscape dramatically. Also, add the security threats posed by the new hybrid model of work and the high levels of sophistication that hackers use to target businesses and users alike. These developments mean that, in order to stay secure and safe, companies should look into implementing endpoint security. Learn more about issues that organisations face today and what to consider when making the Endpoint cyberSecurity Management strategy.
Why Endpoint Security Management?
The number of gadgets connected to enterprise assets rises. Endpoint security management clears an avenue for policy-based approach that can enhance security for organisations. By requiring devices at the endpoint like laptops, computers tablets, smartphones and others to be in compliance with a set criteria, Endpoint Security Management ensures they have the right to connect to the network resources that are at issue. This is why the world of today requires Endpoint cyberSecurity Management:
Endpoint Attacks Are More Sophisticated Than Ever
Let’s face it, attacks against endpoints today are more sophisticated than they ever were. Hackers are experimenting with a variety of new and inventive methods of finding weaknesses and loopholes in the ever-growing number of devices that are being utilised in the present. From ransomware to DoS attacksto phishing and password-based attacks, today’s cyber-terrorists do not leave any stone unturned with their tools and techniques they employ to attack the users and their devices to put their shady spell on the business world in general.
The Threat of Zero Day
Despite the measures CISOs are currently making to protect their businesses from current and emerging threats, cyberattacks that don’t match known signatures are now threatening the security environment. These never-been-seen-before attacks are impossible to detect using traditional solutions and can exploit files, links, and even emails – bringing the entire organisation down.
Hybrid Work Models Are the New Normal
The hybrid model of work which is becoming the norm across the globe is marked by a high threat of attack and breach. The fact that thousands of personal and business devices are trying to connect to corporate networks and assets each day leads to an increase in threats – each of which is not taken care of or dealt with promptly.
What to Consider When Implementing an Endpoint Security Management Strategy?
Due to the risk that endpoint devices pose, the need to develop and implement the most robust Endpoint Security Management Strategy is the best way to continually keep track of, manage, and regulate the devices that attempt to join corporate networks. There are five points to remember while implementing the strategy
1. Keep a current list of all the endpoints
One of the most important steps to do prior to adopting your Endpoint Security Management Strategy is to keep track of the devices that are being utilised by your employees, From enterprise devices to devices that are registered as part of your BYOD policy, as also the personal gadgets that your employees work at home. A current listing of your devices will allow you to perform 24/7 monitoring, while also adding or removing devices as and when needed.
2. Create extensive security management guidelines
The sheer number of devices and the variety of permission rights granted to different users make it difficult, and even impossible for security personnel to configure each device manually. In the alternative, setting complete security management policies could help you automate setup of every device. It will also help you determine the process of deciding which devices, and with which permissions, can connect to the network. For example, you could allow your sales staff access to your lead generation software but block access to for instance, the general ledger system.
3. Centrally manage all of your devices
Centrally managing your endpoint devices is a great way to simplify and standardise the operations of your devices. Centralised systems allow users to verify their credentials and also scan each device when it attempts to connect to the network, and make sure it meets the pre-defined security guidelines for your company before granting access.
4. Develop policies for devices that are not compliant
If you wish to limit access to employees who are not authorised to access the network, you must create guidelines on devices that do not meet the security standards. You may opt to isolate these devices, restrict access, eliminate access rights to local administrators, limit Internet surfing capabilities or block your device from accessing requests.
5. Always monitor and manage your devices
Making sure your company network is protected continuously from malicious attacks is a must. You need to be able to manage and monitor all of your devices 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This monitoring will assist to update your policies when new attacks and breaches are discovered, allowing you to improve the security level. In the meantime when fresh employees, and the devices they use are introduced to the organisation, as older employees leave the organisation 24/7 monitoring can enable you to change policies and disperse changes to all members of the group whenever changes occur in the networks.
As the number and variety of endpoints increase and the sophistication of hackers increases, securing the access of corporate networks becomes more crucial. Making sure your organisation is protected with a strong Endpoint Security Management strategy is an excellent way to authenticate, approve and monitor every device trying to connect to your networks and assets , and then take steps to ensure they’re in compliance with the required security guidelines – now and everyday!
