Endpoint Protection Software
What is Endpoint Protection?
First of all, what do you mean by Endpoint?... Endpoints are physical devices such as mobiles, desktop computers, virtual machines, servers, etc. connected to a network system.
In an organization, these devices connected to a central network becomes the prime target for cybercriminals, once compromised, a hacker can gain access to the organization’s network. Endpoints pose a serious security concern since they have access to both the main server and the external world. Thus, any breach in their security might result in the loss of crucial server data.
To reduce the possibility of such data loss, enterprises have to undertake several measures to protect both their endpoints as well as the entire network. One such measure and the most important one is the “Endpoint Security”.
Endpoint Security is also known as Endpoint Protection, refers to the security measures taken to defend risks posed by endpoints in a network.?
Endpoint security is a method of protecting endpoints or access points of end-user devices, including PCs, laptops, and mobile devices, from being attacked by malicious files and campaigns.
Cybercriminals, hacktivists, planned crimes, malicious and accidental insider breaches pose a threat to businesses of all sizes. Endpoint security is usually considered as the frontline of cybersecurity and represents one of the first places organizations look to defend their network.?
Is endpoint protection same as antivirus?
When you’re comparing multiple cybersecurity protection for your business, it’s natural to get confused between antivirus and endpoint protection.
Antivirus is something that almost everyone is familiar with. We are aware that antivirus software is used to identify and protect devices from malware such as viruses, spyware, adware, ransomware, and other threats. But if you already have antivirus software should you worry about upgrading to endpoint protection? Is it necessary?
If you run a corporate network with more than one endpoint device the answer is "Yes". Endpoint protection is not as same as the antivirus software. It is capable of doing everything an antivirus can do, along with some more advanced functions.
In 2021 itself, between the first and second quarters data breaches increased by 38%.
Endpoint security serves as an enhanced threat defense for your whole network and all connected endpoints (computers, servers, mobile devices, etc.). It's designed to do more than just detection for malware like viruses and ransomware.
Endpoint protection solutions are proactive and powered by AI and machine learning. It continues to look for behavioral irregularities in order to find even the most sophisticated threats to your network. These detect the threats that most of the antivirus software aren’t built to defend against.
Why endpoint security is important?
An endpoint protection solution is an essential part of enterprise cybersecurity for several reasons. First of all, in today’s corporate world, data is the most precious asset for a company and losing its access might put the entire business at risk of bankruptcy.
With the shift towards digitization, security must now be implemented throughout the network. In today’s distributed environment, centralized security methods are ineffective.
Enterprises are integrating practices, such as bring-your-own-device (BYOD) or remote access which make data access easier. But, such practices make security perimeters increasingly insufficient and create vulnerabilities. While these actions are required for a smart, effective workforce, they may also result in security risks that might bring your entire system to a halt.
According to Jose-Miguel Maldonado, VP Business Ops & Security at Rubica,
“Today's assaults are highly sophisticated, and people are operating outside of the corporate security framework. Traditional security measures like on-premise firewalls and antivirus software aren’t sufficient nowadays.”
As the business expands, the number of endpoints and the cost of protection increase as well. However, the cost of not protecting your network can be much greater in terms of data loss, regulatory fines and reputational damage.
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Types of Endpoint protection
To stop attacks and safeguard your network, endpoint protection employs multiple procedures. Here are a few to remember:
Endpoint encryption: involves coding and scrambling of data to a point that it cannot be read without a decryption key. Encryption is the most crucial security layer, because it safeguards data even if it ends up in the wrong hands.
Forensic analysis: synchronizes with EDR by keeping track of every endpoint activity and recording every incident's digital imprint. All information and evidence surrounding an attack—what happened, who was at fault, and the outcomes—is recorded and examined to stop such attacks in the future.
IoT protection: Upon installation, a large number of IoT devices severely lack proper security. What can your company do to secure IoT equipment? Installing an EDR system is the first step in managing, monitoring, and scanning for vulnerabilities. To isolate issues, be sure to get rid of obsolete hardware, put in new software, keep an eye on all app and device access, encrypt communications, and separate your network.
Email gateways: Email gateway software is essential in the modern world since email is the most popular method for hackers to infiltrate networks. Safe emails are kept in the system while potentially dangerous ones are quarantined. All email gateways should include features for preventing malware and viruses, content screening, and email archiving.
Quarantine protection: This is the practice of separating malicious files to prevent harm to endpoints and networks. Rapidly isolating malicious files is essential to endpoint security, and quarantining also allows valuable files to be cleaned rather than discarded.
How endpoint protection works?
Endpoint protection is the process of protecting the data and workflows linked to a specific device connected to a network. The files are examined by Endpoint protection solutions as soon as they enter a network.
Modern endpoint protection solutions use the capacity of cloud to store a constantly expanding database of threat data, relieving endpoints from the stress caused by storing this data locally and the maintenance provided to keep these databases updated. Accessing this data from cloud directly also result in increased speed and scalability.
These solutions offer system administrators a centralized panel that can be deployed on a network gateway or server and allows cybersecurity experts to manage security for each device remotely. The client software is then deployed on each endpoint; it can either be installed locally on the device or can be delivered as a SaaS and managed remotely. After the endpoint is installed, the client software can remotely manage corporate policies, authenticate log-in attempts from each device, and send updates to the endpoints as needed.
Endpoint protection solutions protect endpoints via encryption to help avoid data loss and employ application control to prevent the use of unapproved or insecure applications.
Once the EPP is configured, it can instantly identify risks like malware. Some solutions also include an Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) component. EDR capabilities enable the identification of more sophisticated threats such polymorphic assaults, fileless malware, and zero-day attacks. The EDR system can provide enhanced visibility and a variety of response alternatives by using continuous monitoring.
Best solutions available
The list compiled below includes some of the best endpoint protection solutions available in the market. For checking a wide range of products, click here.
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