The technology and techniques at our disposal allow us to emulate the necessary security measures. Neither you nor the bouncer at the bar will be able to spot anything amiss. Our cards are the best in the business.
As endpoint threats become more sophisticated and abundant, so does the need for more advanced endpoint security tools. An organization can improve the security of its endpoints -- including laptops, desktops, mobile devices, IoT devices and servers in the data center -- by using software that can rapidly detect, analyze, block and contain in-progress attacks. These security systems must collaborate with each other, as well as with other security tools, to enable administrators to quickly detect and remediate these threats.
Endpoint security tools have evolved over the last few years. What began as endpoint protection platforms providing antivirus and antimalware grew into more advanced tools, including endpoint detection and response (EDR) and, more recently, extended detection and response (XDR).
At the very least, an endpoint security platform must provide antivirus, encryption and application control to secure devices accessing an organization's data, while also monitoring and blocking risky activities. Endpoint protection platforms typically employ a client-server security model, consisting of a centrally managed security tool to protect the network and client software that's installed on each endpoint that accesses the network. Some products are SaaS-based, enabling administrators to remotely maintain both the central and endpoint security platforms.
In addition to securing endpoints, encrypting data on removable storage devices and endpoints helps secure them against data exfiltration. Application control stops users from installing unauthorized applications that could create vulnerabilities in the company's network. BYOD policies and the ability of employees to connect from anywhere have intensified the need for endpoint security tools.
Endpoint
protection of enterprise systems is an efficient method of managing
software deployment and enforcing security policies. However, it does
more than protect a network from malware. IT administrators can use
endpoint security for a number of operation monitoring functions and
data backup strategies. An endpoint security product should include the following key features: Protection from
threats spread via email. An organization's endpoint protection must
scan every email attachment to protect the company from attacks, such as
phishing. Protection from
malicious web downloads. The technology should analyze incoming and
outgoing traffic and provide browser protection to block malicious web
downloads before they're executed on endpoints. Protection from exploits. This protects against zero-day vulnerabilities and memory-based attacks. Data loss
protection (DLP). DLP prevents access violations caused by insiders,
including employees, and intentional or unintentional data loss in the
event of a system breach. DLP enables organizations to block files
transmitted via email or team collaboration tools, as well as files
uploaded to the internet. Application and
device control. These enable organizations to control which devices can
upload or download data, access hardware or access the registry. IT can
reduce the chances of shadow IT with application allowlists or
blocklists, ensuring only approved software and apps are installed on
endpoints. Reports and
alerts. These provide prioritized warnings and alerts
regarding vulnerabilities, as well as dashboards and reports that offer
visibility into endpoint security. In more advanced tools, such as EDR and XDR products, look for the following features: Incident
investigation and remediation. These include centralized and automated
tools to provide automated incident response approaches and step-by-step
workflows to investigate incidents. Rapid
detection. Detecting threats as early as possible is crucial. The longer
a threat sits in the environment, the more it spreads and the more
damage it can do. Many endpoint security tools now offer real-time
detection capabilities. Advanced machine
learning. This analyzes massive amounts of good and bad files and
blocks new malware variants before they're executed on endpoint devices. Behavioral
monitoring. This technique uses machine learning to monitor
behavior-based security to determine risks and block them. Third-party
integrations. Endpoint security tools should communicate with other
security systems in the organization's environment. These tools should
share and ingest threat intelligence so they can learn from each other.
Using open API systems, endpoint security products should integrate with
other security tools, such as Active Directory, intrusion prevention,
network monitoring and Flexible
deployment options. Endpoint security tools should adapt to the
organization's needs and environment, offering on-premises or cloud
deployment options. Tools should also offer protection for every
endpoint in the company that touches data. Endpoint
security tools offer much more than just frontline defenses, expanding
through EDR and XDR to provide better protection and detection alongside
collecting analytics. This enables IT to more accurately pinpoint how
malicious software got onto devices and what it did once inside. The
more complete picture IT can get of endpoints, the easier it will be to
protect both the devices themselves and any business data they touch.Features to look for in endpoint security tools
Endpoint security tools continue to adapt
