A Simple Guide to Better Endpoint Protection

Endpoints make up much of a company's network and IT infrastructure. With each device allowing hackers to penetrate a company's defences, such as planting malware or gaining access to sensitive company data, an endpoint security strategy is essential to address endpoint risk by putting focused tactics in place.

Endpoints are a collection of computers, mobile devices, servers, smart gadgets, and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices connected to the company network.

64% of organisations have experienced one or more compromising endpoint attacks.  In this blog, we'll provide you with straightforward solutions. Solutions focused on the protection of endpoint devices.

Address Password Vulnerabilities

Passwords are one of the most significant vulnerabilities when it comes to endpoints. The news reports significant data breaches all the time related to leaked passwords. For example, there is the RockYou2021 breach. It exposed the largest number of passwords ever – 3.2 billion.

Poor password security and breaches make credential theft one of the biggest dangers to cybersecurity.

Address password vulnerabilities in your endpoints by:

• Training employees on proper password creation and handling

• Look for passwordless solutions, like biometrics

• Install multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all accounts

Stop Malware Infection Before OS Boot

USB drives (also known as flash drives) are a popular giveaway item at trade shows. But an innocent-looking USB can cause a breach. One trick hackers use to gain access to a computer is to boot it from a USB device containing malicious code. 

There are certain precautions you can take to prevent this from happening. One is ensuring you're using firmware protection covering two areas. These include Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) Security.

TPM is resistant to physical tampering and tampering via malware. It looks at whether the boot process is occurring correctly. It also monitors for the presence of abnormal behaviour. Additionally, seek devices and security solutions that disable USB boots.

Update All Endpoint Security Solutions

You should regularly update your endpoint security solutions. Automating software updates is best, so they aren't left to chance.

Firmware updates can be forgotten about. One reason is that they don't usually pop up the same types of warnings as software updates. But they are just as crucial for ensuring your devices remain secure.

It's best to have an IT professional managing all your endpoint updates. They'll make sure updates happen in a timely fashion. They will also ensure that devices and software update smoothly.

Use Modern Device & User Authentication

How do you authenticate users accessing your network, business apps, and data? If you use only a username and password, your company is at high risk of a breach.

Use two modern methods for authentication:

• Contextual authentication

• Zero Trust approach

Contextual authentication takes MFA a step further. It looks at context-based cues for authentication and security policies. These include several things, such as the time of day someone is logging in, their geographic location, and their device.

Zero Trust is an approach that continuously monitors your network. It ensures every entity in a network belongs there. Safelisting of devices is an example of this approach. You approve all devices to access your network and block all others by default.

Apply Security Policies Throughout the Device Lifecycle

From when a device is first purchased to when it retires, you need security protocols. Tools like Microsoft AutoPilot and SEMM allow companies to automate. They deploy healthy security practices across each lifecycle phase, ensuring a company can take all critical steps.

Examples of device lifecycle security include when a device is first issued to a user; now is the appropriate time to remove unnecessary privileges. Next, when a device moves from one user to another, it needs to be correctly cleaned of old data and reconfigured for the new user. Finally, when you retire a device, it should be adequately scrubbed, deleting all information and disconnecting it from any accounts.

Prepare for Device Loss or Theft

Unfortunately, mobile devices and laptops get lost or stolen. When that happens, you should have a sequence of events that can take place immediately to prevent company risk of data and exposed business accounts.

Prepare in advance for potential device loss through backup solutions. Also, it would help if you used endpoint security that allows remote locks and wipes for devices.

Reduce Your Endpoint Risk Today!

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This article is used with permission from The Technology Press.