Here Is How To Protect The Computers On Your Network

Endpoints refer to computing devices on a network which communicate with each other or other devices. Endpoint protection is, therefore, a security solution for devices connected to the network aimed at keeping unauthorised persons and activities at bay. Typically, endpoints would include desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, workstations, servers and other smart devices capable of computing. Endpoint devices are used in everyday life on-premise or remotely. Because these devices can serve as routes for external threats like viruses and malware, it is very important to have a set of protocols in place to protect them.

What’s the Point of Endpoint Security

Each computing device is potentially a portal to the network to which it belongs. As essential as they might be, endpoints present access through which outsiders can carry out illegal activities like infiltrating to steal your data or infecting your network with ransomware. About 80% of all malware is designed to attack individual devices along a network. When successful, the threat then spreads to other systems. Cyber attacks tend to be quite expensive for businesses when they are successful. The NotPetya ransomware cost Merck over $300 million in the third quarter of 2017 alone.

To protect your company’s assets from such threats, it is necessary to implement robust solutions that ensure each endpoint or computing device is secured against external threats. When your endpoints are protected, the network becomes safe and more useful to you.

How to Ensure Endpoint Security

A combination of several protocols can help you secure your computer systems. From hardware inspection to software solutions, it is important that your endpoints are not burdened so much that performance becomes poor. It is also important to enforce protection on all your computing devices regardless of how small or infrequently you use them.

Physical Protocols

Physical protocols are hardware interventions employed to ensure endpoint security. A strict set of rules regarding the use of external storage devices on company premises could help curb incidents of corporate espionage. Administrators should ensure only approved external storage devices can access a network. All such activities should then be recorded and time-stamped so perpetrators of bad practices can be traced and identified. Otherwise, the ports on computers should be disabled to prevent unwarranted access.

Central Management

To ensure the integrity of network systems, endpoint security must be managed from a central location. This makes it easier to track activities across the network and also pinpoint the source of vulnerabilities. A good centrally-managed software should allow for multiple-device updates of software and anti-malware solutions instead of having to run updates at each endpoint. This is because vulnerabilities in connected devices can develop from missing security patches of operating systems, outdated drivers, and outdated applications.

Limiting Access

One way to ensure endpoint security is a protocol that regulates a user’s access to sensitive data on a network. An intern in finance, for example, should only be cleared to access data relevant to specific the specific finance tasks he performs. In addition, an administrator should configure the network system to ensure websites that are likely to contain exploits are blacklisted and inaccessible from endpoints. These could even be extended to include social media sites and websites without SSL certificates installed.

Antivirus & Antimalware

In addition to a centrally-managed network, endpoints should have business-grade antivirus and antimalware software installed on them. Companies that encourage Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) should, in addition to securing productivity goals, ensure suitable antivirus and antimalware protection are present on BYOD devices to provide a double layer of security.

When it comes to cyber security, you get what you pay for. Free antivirus and antimalware software often contain limited functionality and do not provide adequate protection against sophisticated threats. For business purposes, it is always better to invest in good endpoint security solutions to help safeguard your interests by keeping cybercriminals at bay. McAfee and Kaspersky come highly recommended.