Organizations across the world are dealing with copious amounts of data and devices that have expanded the threat landscape tremendously. Add to it the security risks with the new hybrid work model and the advanced levels of sophistication cybercriminals are using to attack users and organizations alike. All these new developments imply that, to stay safe and secure, businesses need to consider implementing endpoint security management. Read on to uncover the current challenges organizations are facing and factors to keep in mind while implementing an Endpoint Security Management strategy.
Why Endpoint Security Management?
As the number of devices connecting to enterprise assets surges, endpoint security management paves the way for a policy-based approach to improve organizational security. By requiring endpoint devices such as PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other equipment to comply with a set of criteria, Endpoint Security Management ensures they have the authority to access the network resources in question. Here’s why the world today needs Endpoint Security Management:
Endpoint Attacks Are More Sophisticated Than Ever
Let’s face it: endpoint attacks today have become more sophisticated than ever before. Hackers are trying an array of novel and innovative ways to find gaps and loopholes in the increasing number of devices being used today. Right from ransomware to DDoS attacks, phishing to password attacks – today’s cyber-terrorists leave no stone unturned in the tools and technologies they use to exploit users and their devices and cast their treacherous spell on business as a whole.
The Threat of Zero Day
Despite the efforts CISOs today take to safeguard their business from existing and upcoming threats, attacks that do not match any known signatures are increasingly haunting the security landscape. These never-been-seen-before attacks are impossible to detect using traditional solutions and can exploit files, links, and even emails – bringing the entire organization down.
Hybrid Work Models Are the New Normal
The hybrid work model, although slowly becoming the global norm, is characterized by widespread risk of breach and attack. The fact that hundreds of thousands of enterprise and personal devices are attempting to connect to enterprise assets and networks every single day is invariably leading to increased threat vectors – all of which cannot be attended to, or addressed in time.
What to Consider When Implementing an Endpoint Security Management Strategy
Given that the risks endpoint devices bring along, devising and implementing a robust Endpoint Security Management Strategy is a great way to constantly monitor, manage, and control the devices trying to connect to corporate networks. Here are five things to keep in mind when implementing the strategy:
1. Have an updated list of all endpoints
One of the first steps you need to take before implementing an Endpoint Security Management Strategy is to be aware of all the devices being used by your employees: from enterprise devices to devices registered under your BYOD policy as well as personal devices that employees are increasingly using while working from home. Having an updated list of all your endpoints enables you to carry out 24×7 monitoring while also adding or removing devices – as and when necessary.
2. Set up comprehensive security management policies
The large volume of endpoints along with the wide range of permission rights for different users make it extremely difficult – if not impossible – for security teams to set up each device manually. Instead, setting up comprehensive security management policies can allow you to automate setting up of each device – while also streamline which devices, and with what permissions, are allowed to access the network. For instance, you can grant your sales teams access to your lead generation application but restrict them from accessing, say, the general ledger system.
3. Centrally manage all your devices
Centrally managing all your endpoint devices are a great way to streamline and standardize their operations. A centralized system can allow you to validate user credentials and scan each device as it tries to access the network, while making sure it complies with pre-defined corporate security policies – before permitting access.
4. Build policies for non-compliant devices
If you want to restrict unauthorized access to the enterprise network, you need to build policies for devices that do not comply with your standard set of security requirements. You can either choose to quarantine such devices, limit access, remove local administrative rights, restrict Internet browsing capabilities, or even bar the device from making any requests.
5. Constantly monitor and manage your endpoints
Ensuring your corporate network is constantly protected against unwarranted attacks requires you to monitor and manage each of your endpoints 24×7. Such monitoring can help you in updating your policies, as new breaches and attacks emerge, allowing you to up your security game. At the same time, as new employees and their devices enter the company, and as old ones leave the company, around-the-clock monitoring will also allow you to modify policies and distribute changes to all group members – as and when changes are made to the network.
As the number of endpoints surge and the finesse of attackers advances, protecting access to corporate networks is becoming increasingly important. Arming your organization with a robust Endpoint Security Management strategy is a great way to authenticate, authorize, monitor, and manage all the devices trying to connect to your networks and assets and take steps to ensure they comply with all the necessary security policies – today and every day!
Contributed blog courtesy of Synoptek. Read more contributed content from Synoptek here.
