Why is Endpoint Management Important?

One of the most pressing problems of institutions remains securing their assets from unauthorized parties. This is one reason why investing in a reliable endpoint management system is necessary regardless of the size of the business.

Endpoint management or endpoint security management is the policy-based approach to network security that requires endpoint devices (and their owners)  to comply with the criteria set by the company before they are granted access to any of the network resources available. These endpoints can include PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and specialized equipment like bar code readers and point of sale terminals. 

Companies, big and small, are encouraged to invest in endpoint security management systems – purchased as software or a dedicated appliance – to discover, manage, and control computing devices requesting access to the corporate network. 

A study by IDC says endpoint was the cause of 70 percent of successful breaches. This may not be surprising for industry practitioners because endpoints represent all of the devices that connect to the network. If the devices are not well-managed, attacks can spread easily and widely into the network. 

There are different devices that are given access to a network, especially in today’s work environments where employees are allowed to bring their own devices for flexibility of work. To make an analogy, today’s workplaces are like open markets where everyone could come in and shop around and pick as many things as they like. But just like open markets, there is a high risk that people with bad intentions could take things owned by other shoppers and use them to their advantage. Without the keen eye or a system which could watch over the people and their assets, their valuable items could get stolen. This too could happen to company assets that are not properly guarded. 

By requiring endpoint devices to meet the security standards of the network before they are given access, enterprises can maintain great control over the growing number of access points. This approach also allows the effective blocking of threats and unauthorized attempts to access before entry. But, beyond controlling access, endpoint management provides capacities for monitoring and blocking malicious activities within the network. 

What puts networks in highest risk?

Endpoints encompass all computing devices available which can become the highest risk points to mobile threats. Today’s workplaces with BYOD (bring your own device) set-ups rely heavily on mobile devices, home computers, and laptops to connect to the network and conduct business. Having a centralized solution would no longer suffice in guarding the changing and growing security perimeter. Endpoint management steps in on behalf of centralized security measures. It also adds protection at the point of entry to halt different attacks. 

Endpoint management features

Endpoint management systems and anti-virus software have major differences. The former works within the endpoint security framework, bearing some or all of the responsibility of their own security. 

Endpoint management products could contain the following features and functionalities:

• Data loss prevention
• Disk, endpoint, and email encryption
• Protection from insider threat
• Control of application
• Network access control
• Endpoint detection and response
• Data classification
• Privileged user control

The security of endpoints cannot be overlooked because they are the entry point by which our devices connect, as well as the opening by which very important data is transmitted. Minimizing and protecting them from risks is just the first step. The continued build-up of a strong defense relies on an equally robust endpoint management system.