What Is Endpoint Security?

Endpoint security protects any physical devices connected to a network — phones, laptops, desktops and servers — from threats and attacks.

Endpoint detection and response solutions continuously monitor and analyze device data and activity, using behavioral analytics and threat intelligence to detect suspicious behavior. EDR provides visibility to IT teams and real-time responses that help contain malicious activity on devices before it can impact the entire network.

Extended detection and response is like EDR but extends protection across multiple layers, including endpoints, networks, servers, cloud services and email. XDR is an integrated solution that consolidates data from all these sources into a centralized platform, offering both holistic and granular views to help IT teams prioritize and address threats efficiently.

Zero trust is a cybersecurity approach, not a technology solution. With zero trust, no user or device is assumed to be safe. Instead, security solutions must verify every request for authentication and authorization. This approach reflects the dispersed nature of the modern IT environment by applying stringent security regardless of the user’s device, location or network.

Data encryption protects sensitive information in transit and at rest by converting it into a format that is unreadable unless an authorized user is accessing it. This is important for endpoints because it ensures that even if a device is lost or stolen, no one can access the information on the device.

Anti-virus software scans devices and files to detect known threats. However, cybercriminals are constantly developing new threats, and anti-virus software can only detect what it knows to look for. That’s why anti-virus protection is just one aspect of effective endpoint security. Endpoint protection is a much broader umbrella that may include, in addition to anti-virus software, real-time threat detection, centralized IT management, firewall management and other tactics..

Managed services — outsourcing certain functions to a service provider or forming a partnership with one — are playing a growing role in organizational cybersecurity strategies. These services help organizations augment internal expertise, address staffing shortages and alleviate time-consuming tasks so IT teams can focus on essential projects. Service providers may perform several activities for endpoints, such as managing mobile devices and training employees.

Managed detection and response (MDR) is one of the most common endpoint security  services. With MDR, an expert partner monitors endpoint activity to detect and respond to threats as they occur. This support is valuable for many organizations because it provides 24/7/365 coverage and, in many cases, fills a gap in internal resources, especially for smaller organizations that lack a security team. Often, MDR provides organizations with threat intelligence they may not possess on their own. If a security incident occurs, MDR also provides remediation support to help the organization stop the attack and contain the threat.

Implementing best practices for endpoint security is the most proactive way to protect devices, data and networks. A data breach can have serious consequences for customers, business continuity and regulatory compliance, making it well worth the effort and investment to deploy advanced endpoint protection capable of defending against sophisticated threats.

Cybercriminals try to exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software, so keeping operating systems, applications and security tools updated and patched is crucial. Most endpoint protection solutions allow for centralized patch management so that IT administrators can complete these processes efficiently, without depending on users to complete their updates.

Routine security audits are a proactive way to identify and mitigate risks in a timely manner. For endpoints, such audits include the devices and their configurations to ensure that no vulnerabilities exist and that access controls are sufficient.

Access controls are a crucial defense against phishing and other cyberattacks that commonly target endpoints. Multifactor authentication requires users to verify their identity using more than one method, which serves as a safeguard against compromised credentials and devices. Another control is least-privilege access, which minimizes access to sensitive information by allowing employees to access only the systems and data they require for their work. Access controls both protect sensitive information and minimize the damage that can occur if someone gains unauthorized access to a device.

Firewalls protect devices and networks by analyzing all data traffic. They can block malicious and suspicious traffic and enforce policies that govern which websites employees can access on company-owned devices. Firewalls also enforce network segmentation, which divides a network into sections so that organizations can reduce and contain threats in the environment.

Establishing policies for endpoint security provides clear expectations to employees and allows IT teams to apply the same standards consistently across an organization. Policies may govern numerous aspects of endpoint security, such as how IT departments should secure endpoints, what encryption standards are required and how frequently security audits must occur.

With phishing attacks becoming more frequent and more sophisticated, employees are a crucial defense against data breaches. For instance, a successful phishing attack on an employee’s laptop could install malware that lets a cybercriminal access data on the device and potentially infiltrate the network. Because cybercrimes are constantly evolving, organizations must continually alert employees to new trends and attacks so they can exercise caution with emails and other potential attack vectors. Employee cybersecurity and awareness training helps strengthen the first line of defense against attacks.

Organizations must be prepared to respond immediately if a device is compromised and a data breach occurs. Incident response planning enables that readiness by outlining what steps to take in the event of a security incident, who is responsible for planning those steps and who should be involved in the response. With planning and preparation before an incident occurs, the organization will be better positioned to contain the incident quickly, minimize damage, reduce downtime and disruption, and comply with any regulatory requirements.

From an IT perspective, hybrid work presents particular risks and complexities, necessitating a distinct approach to endpoint security. Here are three of the most common challenges and how IT departments can address them.

• Reduced visibility: When users’ devices connect to personal networks instead of enterprise networks, IT teams lose visibility, which makes it harder to detect suspicious behavior that could alert them to a breach. Organizations can minimize this risk by using cloud-based EDR solutions that monitor devices wherever they are located. They can also include endpoint data in security information and event management platforms, which use centralized analysis, often enhanced by machine learning, to identify potential threats.
• Inconsistent security configurations: Remote employees may use personal laptops and phones for work, creating security risks. Personal devices may lack critical protections, such as security updates, patches and anti-virus software. For that reason, organizations that handle sensitive personal information (such as healthcare agencies) often require employees to use company-owned devices. Organizations can also enroll devices in device management solutions that let IT administrators automate security updates and enforce security policies remotely.
• Larger attack surface: The more devices and networks that come into contact with an organization’s IT environment, the more risks the organization faces. In addition to using personal devices, remote workers often use unsecured networks, such as those at coffee shops and airports. With limited control and visibility into the activities of remote employees, IT must employ alternative strategies to protect organizational data and systems. Typically, IT administrators do this by requiring MFA on every endpoint login, establishing zero-trust network access and implementing cloud-based EDR solutions.

In many industries, regulatory agencies require organizations to protect personal data and sensitive information by maintaining specific cybersecurity standards. These requirements extend to endpoints, so if organizations fail to implement appropriate endpoint security and a breach occurs, they may be liable for regulatory penalties.

Business regulations vary by industry and geographic location. In healthcare, clinicians increasingly use endpoints in their day-to-day work to access medical records, coordinate with care teams and perform other tasks. They are regulated by HIPAA, which requires healthcare organizations to assess and manage cybersecurity risks on endpoints, among other mandates. The General Data Protection Regulation also poses extensive requirements on the organizations to which it applies (generally, organizations handling personal data in the European Union or pertaining to EU residents). Like HIPAA, GDPR is holistic in its approach to data privacy and security, applying to endpoints and any sensitive data that could be accessed through them.

Cybersecurity regulations typically establish minimum data protection requirements that organizations must apply to their endpoints, including several common approaches.

• Encryption: Encrypting data prevents unauthorized users from reading it, which is essential for devices that could be lost or stolen.
• Multifactor authentication: MFA ensures that only authorized users gain access to data and applications by requiring more than one form of identity verification.
• Patch management: Regular software updates address new threats and correct newly discovered vulnerabilities to ensure that devices have up-to-date protection.
• Remote management capabilities: The ability to wipe or lock devices remotely lets IT departments remove data from compromised, lost or stolen devices and prevents unauthorized users from accessing those devices.

Endpoint security solutions allow for centralized oversight and visibility, enabling IT staffers to manage endpoints to ensure they are properly protected and monitor their activity to detect and thwart unauthorized access attempts. Manual and automated audit features augment and inform this oversight through endpoint activity logs, reports on out-of-compliance devices and other information.

Emerging technologies help organizations protect their endpoints through more advanced, adaptive and integrated capabilities. AI-enabled detection, XDR and cloud-native platforms provide faster analysis and remediation — informed by comprehensive threat intelligence — so that organizations can respond effectively to new and sophisticated threats. For example, unified security platforms provide enhanced visibility and stronger protection by collecting data from multiple sources (including endpoints) and applying AI and machine learning for real-time analysis.

CDW’s cybersecurity experts help customers develop strategies tailored to their unique needs, challenges and IT environments. We can assess customers’ current endpoint security to identify gaps and vulnerabilities and recommend scalable, cost-effective solutions and services. Our goal is to help organizations proactively approach endpoint security by minimizing risks and implementing best practices.