Endpoint Security - Read About These Common Myths

DEBUNKING 5 MYTHS ABOUT ENDPOINT SECURITY

Most organizations recognize the critical importance of endpoint security. In a recent Ponemon Institute study, 68% of respondents said their organization had been compromised by at least one endpoint attack during the preceding 12 months. The average cost of a successful attack, including lost productivity and theft of information assets, was almost $9 million. Almost three-fourths (73%) of respondents said that new and unknown endpoint threats have increased significantly. On average, 80% of successful breaches are “zero-day” attacks, exploiting unknown vulnerabilities or new malware variants. More than half (51%) of respondents say their organization is ineffective at detecting and blocking these attacks.

Endpoint security involves protecting devices that access the network from malicious attacks and risky user behavior. Although it sounds straightforward in theory, many organizations struggle to effectively secure these points of entry against internal and external threats. Common misconceptions are putting many organizations at risk of a costly and disruptive endpoint attack.

In this post, we will discuss five myths about endpoint security to give you a better understanding of what it does and how it can protect your company. If you have any questions or you would like to learn more about endpoint security, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at DeSeMa!

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Myth 1: “ENDPOINTS CONSIST OF DESKTOPS, LAPTOPS AND MOBILE DEVICES.”

It’s true that end-user devices are frequently targeted by attacks. However, endpoints include any device that connects to the network and could be accessed from outside the firewall. Digital printers and copiers, point-of-sale systems, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and many other types of equipment are potential targets. In 2020, the security team at CyberNews hijacked nearly 28,000 printers worldwide and forced them to print a guide on printer security.

Myth 2: “NOT ALL ENDPOINTS NEED PROTECTION.”

This is related to the first myth, and arose from the idea that Apple devices are immune to malware. iOS products suffer from fewer attacks than other types of devices, but they still occur. Given the popularity of Apple devices, cybercriminals have every incentive to develop malware specifically targeting them. Furthermore, there are many attacks in which the type of endpoint is irrelevant. The hacker’s objective is to use the device to gain access to the corporate network.

Myth 3: "WE HAVE ANTIVIRUS, SO WE’RE COVERED.”

Unfortunately, antivirus software can’t protect your company or provide endpoint security as well as a consulting firm or even an in-house IT team. A qualified consulting firm can help you overcome these challenges. Consultancies face much lower turnover than in-house IT teams. The consulting firm is able to keep IT pros busy and engaged with a wide range of projects. Consultants and engineers have opportunities to implement the latest technologies, keep their skills current, and work with companies in a wide range of industries.

Odds are high that the same people will be there year after year to assist you with projects. If there is a change in personnel, the consultancy will find a qualified replacement and get them up to speed. The consultancy never gets sick or goes on vacation, and has a bench of engineers to provide expertise and additional resources where needed.

When hiring with a consultancy, it’s important to ask probing questions about the firm’s expertise and experience. Have they done similar projects for companies in the same industry? What results have they been able to achieve? Keep in mind that consultants likely sign NDAs with clients and won’t be in a position to reveal too many project details. However, they should be able to give a sense of the types of problems they’ve solved and the business objectives they’ve met.

Myth 4:"IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO SECURE THE DEVICES OF WORK-FROM-HOME USERS.”

Legacy endpoint security solutions rely on software agents that are installed on each device to communicate with a centralized console. Generally, these solutions can only manage devices within the secure network perimeter. Today’s cloud-managed solutions allow administrators to remotely monitor and manage endpoints regardless of location. Administrators can push out operating system and applications updates, wipe devices that have been lost or stolen, and enforce security policies across all devices. The software agent can also provide security when the device lacks Internet access.

Myth 5: “ENDPOINT SECURITY HAMPERS PRODUCTIVITY.”

Some organizations are hesitant to implement endpoint protection tools out of fear they will disrupt workflows. This misconception likely arose from poorly implemented solutions rather than any flaw in the tools themselves. When properly deployed and configured, endpoint security will not affect user productivity. Modern tools allow administrators to fine-tune settings in ways that improve device performance while providing rigorous security.

DeSeMa’s cybersecurity professionals have extensive experience in endpoint security, and can help you implement effective protection for all the devices that connect to your network.

We recommend tools that provide end-to-end visibility and single-pane-of-glass management for consistent policy enforcement. These tools also reduce the management burden with automated features that push out patches and updates. We take a consultative approach that begins with defining user responsibilities and drafting corporate policies on access rights and company oversight of user-owned devices. We can also help you implement data loss prevention solutions and set up app stores to minimize the use of “shadow IT” software.

Attacks on endpoints are among the most serious threats organizations face. Let DeSeMa help you develop an endpoint security strategy that protects all of your users and devices. Give us a call today!

DEBUNKING 5 MYTHS ABOUT ENDPOINT SECURITY

DEBUNKING 5 MYTHS ABOUT ENDPOINT SECURITY

Myth 1: “ENDPOINTS CONSIST OF DESKTOPS, LAPTOPS AND MOBILE DEVICES.”

Myth 2: “NOT ALL ENDPOINTS NEED PROTECTION.”

Myth 3: "WE HAVE ANTIVIRUS, SO WE’RE COVERED.”

Myth 4:"IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO SECURE THE DEVICES OF WORK-FROM-HOME USERS.”

Myth 5: “ENDPOINT SECURITY HAMPERS PRODUCTIVITY.”

DeSeMa’s cybersecurity professionals have extensive experience in endpoint security, and can help you implement effective protection for all the devices that connect to your network.

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