Endpoint Protection 101
Over the last year we've seen some of the most destructive cyber-attacks ever recorded and unfortunately things are set to get worse moving forward.
The WannaCry ransomware was designed to compromise endpoints and caused chaos around the world infecting more than 200,000 computers in 150 countries. These endpoints represent key vulnerable points of entry for cybercriminals and since the outbreak, the need to obtain visibility of threats targeting them has become essential.
So what’s exactly is an endpoint? It’s simply any electronic system that an end user operates, from a computer to a server. They can be split in to two categories, each requiring different types of planning and protection.
- Firstly, there are endpoints that require more planning for protection known as mobile endpoints and include mobile phones and laptops.
- Secondly, static endpoints, such as computers and servers, also require protection but often require less planning in comparison to mobile endpoints as they are open to more vulnerabilities in a dynamic environment.
We, as people have become more mobile and as a result so have our devices. At the same time, technology and innovations have enabled us to become more mobile and the circle continues. The devices that anchor us to a physical workplace are slowly disappearing and remote work is becoming a rising trend. This has resulted in more mobile devices being adopted for our mobile work and as a result, there has been a sharp increase in the number of devices being lost, stolen and targeted in attacks.
Some worrying facts...
1 laptop is stolen every 53 seconds.
91% of successful data breaches start with attackers infecting an endpoint via a phishing attack.
43% of company-issued smartphones are lost or stolen every year.
70 million smartphones are lost each year.
Cause for concern? Organisations must secure the confidential data on their mobile devices because if it falls into the wrong hands, it can be exposed to the world.
Why is it so Important to Protect Your Endpoints?
Stops attacks at the source: Endpoint protection can help stop attacks before they even become a major issue. By stopping an attempt of infection, or by isolating an infection, you drastically reduce the damage, costs and complexity of a breach.
Provide a safety net: Everyone makes mistakes and when that happens having the right endpoint protection can prevent one mistake leading to a cyber security disaster.
Ensure systems stay up and running: Having just one system out of order is less costly than the whole organisation’s systems being down. Endpoint protection helps ensure important systems stay accessible and isolated from infection.
GDPR Fines: With organisations now facing hefty fines for data breaches through the new GDPR legislation, protecting endpoints will ensure you remain complaint, therefore avoiding the costly fines that may follow.
It's not all doom and gloom though! Here's how you can protect your endpoints?
In the case of traveling laptops that are directly accessible from the Internet, in many cases the first and only line of defence is authentication. Regardless of all of the security software installed on the system, if an adversary can gain access to your password or an enterprise credential, they will have access to the system. There are several things that you can do to ensure that your protected;
Create a strong password
The use of a weak password by employees is a major risk to any business as the data becomes easier for cyber criminals to hack. By including a mixture of characters such as lower case, upper case, letters, numbers and special symbols, then it becomes harder for the cyber criminals to crack your password security.
Setup two-factor Authentication
You can setup two-factor authentication by adding a phone number to your password, so whenever you try to sign in to your account, it will ask you to enter a security code which you received through a SMS.
Install a desktop Firewall
A Desktop firewall secures endpoints by regulating inbound and outbound traffic. Definable zones and security levels prevent malware from infecting endpoint systems, block targeted attacks and stop unwanted traffic. Stealth technology makes endpoints invisible to potential attackers.
Having powerful firewalls on your computer systems gives cyber criminals a tough time trying to get access to any IT network.
Seek Expert Help
If you find IT security and protection too complicated, you can seek expert advice. They will be able to implement the best solutions for your specific needs, allowing you to focus on your main business activity.
There are many endpoint protection providers in the cyber industry to help protect you in your everyday personal or business life;
Bitdefender
Over half of breaches start with a compromised endpoint so don’t let endpoint security become the weakest link in your enterprise defence. Bitdefender GravityZone Enterprise Security offers an endpoint security service for physical workstations, embedded devices and servers delivered by the GravityZone On Premise console.
For more info on Bitdefender, click here