What is Endpoint Management? Protect Network Endpoints Now!

The pandemic created the need for an unprecedented expansion of remote access work. With each new remote device used for business, the number of vulnerable network endpoints increases. An endpoint is any device that is connected to your network. All cell phones, laptops, tablets, printers and other networked devices, often separated by vast physical distances, are now potential entry points for cyberattacks. The FBI reported more than a 400% increase in cybercrime over the past year. As a result, securing vulnerable endpoints has become a crucial part of cyber security.

What is Endpoint Security?

Endpoint Security is the cyber security function of securing all of your business’ networked devices against cyberattacks. It has been reported that more than 70% of cyberattacks are launched through a network endpoint; therefore, device security has become a top priority. The worse news is that an endpoint network breach, left undetected, might easily invade your entire network. One unprotected mobile device can give cybercriminals access to all your hard-earned data.

Endpoints have become the most vulnerable parts of networks and are responsible for some of the most significant data breaches. Your small to midsized business could be “brought to its knees” by an unsuspecting employee user who is not following cyber security best practices. Additionally, many companies scrambling to reinvent their workflow for a remote-access environment have not kept up with securing endpoints. Unfortunately, this is a time when cybercriminals are releasing new, more robust and sophisticated versions of malware at a record pace.

Almost two-thirds of SMBs are unaware of their endpoint vulnerabilities and, if attacked, cannot isolate the origin of the incident and respond quickly and effectively enough to contain such a breach. However, there are some cyber security basics that can be very helpful in protecting endpoints:

• Passwords and Administrative Permissions – Your company must follow basic cyber security protocols. The basics include requiring complex passwords from all users and removing administrative permissions from non-administrators based on what their specific jobs require.
• Identify Your Endpoints – Extra attention should be paid to ensuring that only approved devices can be logged on to your network. Then, all approved devices must have the same protection to lock down vulnerable endpoints.
• Automate Endpoint Security – Early detection through automated alerts and a prompt response is critical. Off-the-shelf anti-virus software is no longer enough to protect your business. Solid protection is afforded only by an integrated endpoint solution that can protect against the current wide array of cyber threats.
• Ensure Employees’ Compliance With Best Practices – The greatest threat to endpoint security is negligent employees carelessly clicking on unknown and malicious attachments in emails and texts. Therefore, it is essential to nurture a corporate culture that unites your team to work together to protect your company’s network diligently.

Device Security is not a simple matter. Strong endpoint security entails a long list of considerations, including:

• Up-to-Date Virus Protection Software – Anti-virus protection is the most fundamental component of cyber security.
• URL Filters – These filters allow you to restrict internet access to any websites that are not trusted sites.
• Application Control – Using whitelisting, greylisting and blacklisting to label what applications have permission to do, adds additional security to your network.
• Controlling Access to Your Network – You can control what devices may be used and what users can access on your network by controlling network access.
• Web Browser Isolation – This means just what it says. By isolating the browsing environment, you can separate safe, interactive streaming from accessing your most valuable data assets. Web Browser Isolation also destroys browser codes at the end of a browsing session.
• Endpoint Encryption – Encrypting endpoints can help prevent data leaks during data transfer by fully encrypting the data stored on endpoints.
• Secure Your Email Gateways – Email is the preferred delivery mechanism for cybercriminals. Secure email gateways can monitor the traffic and block some potentially dangerous email deliveries.
• Create a Sandbox – Sandboxing is a term for isolating potential threats by creating a duplicate operating system, thus allowing you to observe them safely. Qualified personnel can then analyze the files before allowing them into your network.

As our use of online technology now encompasses so many areas of our personal and business lives, cybercriminals stay in step and continue to find new, creative ways of attacking your private or business data. Unfortunately, smaller businesses have neither the time nor the budget for a full-time IT department. However, it is essential to employ IT experts to assess your cyber vulnerability and help you design the best layers of protection for your hard-earned data.

DIGIGUARD Cyber Security Knows How to Protect You From Small Businesses’ Cyberattacks

DIGIGUARD, specializing in preventing cyber threats, has a wide array of solutions to protect against cybercrimes and ensure you have the best possible protection. It works with small and midsized businesses to establish cyber security best practices to ensure your confidential data is secure and all your devices have the specific protections they require, especially those used for remote-access work. For any business, cyberattacks can have devastating consequences. DIGIGUARD can assess your cyber risks and work with you to design the best protection solutions for your business.

Call DIGIGUARD CYBER SECURITY at 833-33-CYBER (833-332-9237) and visit www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to discuss how you can increase your company’s level of cyber security and avoid a deadly cyberattack.