What Is Endpoint Protection?
In a growing digital landscape where incidents of cyber attack are on the rise, endpoint protection is a protective approach to securing computer networks where numerous client devices might be contected remotely at any given time. It’s is gaining a reputation as a necessary element in preventing breaches, unanticipated data leakage, zero-day vulnerabilities, and more. Endpoint security is estimated to be an $11 billion market currently and expected to expand more than 12% over the next five years.
There are some security situations that standard anti-virus solutions can’t resolve like advanced persistent threats and targeted attacks. With this type of protection as an additional yet integral part of your security solution, you can acquire the extra coverage you need to secure your business network.
How Does Endpoint Protection Work?
This protection type is a protection methodology for computer networks where remote client devices are frequently connected. Corporate networks where the connection of computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and more are connected and could potentially be used security threat paths are ideal candidates for endpoint security solutions.
In the creation and implementation of endpoint rules, these protection solutions have the ability to detect and encrypt sensitive data. Particular files may even be protected against copy or transfer based on predetermined classifications.
Network access control functionalities, often included in these protection solutions, are various protocols and processes used to block unauthorized access to an enterprise networks as well as access to any data contained within them. This protection customarily analyzes the endpoint before granting access to web browsers, operating systems, or other applications to make sure they are current and meet the security standards of the network. This protection method blocks security vulnerabilities from coming through devices that aren’t up-to-date and up to standards.
This protection type, when used in an enterprise environment, can be easily managed with a central administration server that oversees the endpoints connected to the network. When navigating a consumer environment, this protection can be considered anti-virus programming and other security solutions and managed on individual endpoint devices, eliminating the need for central administration.
The Importance of Endpoint Security Platforms
There is a growing use of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) solutions that are designed to allow employees to use their own devices within the workplace. It’s a topic of debate as some favor such programs to increase productivity and others consider them to be a security nightmare. The use of such has created a constantly-shifting security landscape for today’s businesses that defies definition.
The more endpoints that are connected to an enterprise network at any given time, the more control and visibility are necessary. Those same endpoints are entry points for attacks and malware. They are the access points where cyber thieves break into networks to steal data and do damage.
Without protective coverage for those endpoints, a network’s control is gone the minute an unauthorized party gains access using an unsecured endpoint or sensitive data is copied to an external device. With this type of protection as a vital part of an enterprise network’s security, a critical supplement to existing security solutions, the company gains coverage for its data that might otherwise be vulnerable to outside access.