The days of employees marching into the office, sitting down, logging onto a dedicated desktop computer, and working all day from the exact location are in the distant past. Today’s workforce is on-the-go and works from remote locations. They use a heterogeneous collection of mobile devices–laptops, tablets, and smartphones that often have different hardware, running on separate platforms on distinct operating Security systems.
IT organisations have traditionally managed network security with firewalls, antivirus software, and other security methods deployed within the company walls. But this approach does not always protect individual devices. Using an endpoint security approach that gives employees the freedom to use the mobile devices of their choice while ensuring enterprises protect their proprietary information is crucial.
Why is Endpoint Security Important?
The trend towards remote work has unfortunately turned endpoints into one of the greatest security risks. It costs companies millions in lost productivity, corporate data theft, system downtime, and fines.
As endpoint security continues to evolve, companies should adopt–few if not all–practices to counter today’s increasingly persistent threats.
Implement Zero Trust
The main principle behind Zero Trust is “never trust, always verify.” It is a security model which replaces implicit trust, continuously assessing explicit risks and trust levels based on identity and context supported by the security infrastructure of an organisation.
In short, traditional IT network security trusts anyone and anything–within or beyond–the perimeter of the network. A Zero Trust Model trusts no one and nothing. In addition to protecting the data at source through encryption, Zero Trust ensures access to corporate information is continuously verified.
Use Mobile Device Management
Remote work or hybrid work has become more common. The acceptance of Bring Your Own Devices (BYOD) at work has allowed employees to be flexible but has created multiple endpoint vulnerabilities. Businesses are also taking advantage of self-service stations or kiosks to manage changing customer expectations.
Mobile Device Management (MDM) tools maintain greater control over mobile devices to prevent any vulnerabilities that can arise through the use of personal devices at work. MDM ensures the corporate network is secure while allowing employees to use their own devices to work efficiently.
Use Threat Hunting Software
Some threats need malicious actors to gain long-term access to applications. Remaining undetected is vital to the success of such attacks. And they often do. A survey by Ponemon Institute commissioned by IBM found that the average time required to identify and contain a breach is 280 days.
Traditional endpoint security focuses on deploying defensive measures such as biometrics and multifactor authentication. Although irreplaceable, employing threat-hunting software and processes can be a long-sighted approach to protecting endpoints.
Use Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Security
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) security consists of technologies and practices applied to secure virtual desktops. Virtual desktops work by delivering a desktop image of an operating system over a network to an endpoint device, such as a smartphone.
Many endpoint technology solutions require additional investments in terms of security add-ons, but VDI by design offers resilience to threats. Employees are more likely to shield themselves from data theft from lost or stolen devices as virtualization centralises data on-premises or on the cloud instead of devices.
Invest in Remote Browser Isolation Tools
Just as firewalls and network access control help stop attacks directed at internal networks, similarly, browser isolation helps stop attacks directed at the browser. Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) tools keep browsing activity secure by separating the process of loading webpages from displaying web pages on user devices.
This way, when users visit a website or click on an URL embedded in a phishing mail, RBI tools load and execute any malicious code away from devices. It moves web browsing from users’ devices to remote containers in the cloud, shielding endpoints from web-based malware and phishing attacks.
Wrapping Up
Endpoint security needs more than cutting-edge tools. Phishing and social engineering attacks are one of the most popular ways for attackers to gain access to employees’ endpoint devices. Investing in employee education and awareness training to help minimise data leakage from lost or stolen devices. Plus, in a tight talent market, organisations will need to find the right talent that can monitor endpoint security around the clock, keep tools up to date, and provide valuable insights to protect critical data and infrastructure.