Business operations are continually developing with active advancements in cloud architecture and the adoption of remote workplaces. These changes have increased the reliability of several businesses on cybersecurity.
The dynamics of security teams have evolved in this ever-changing digital landscape, as they primarily focus on protecting data, devices, and customer information, guarding against data breaches and ransomware.
It is no secret that in the last few years, many businesses have witnessed increased cyber attacks over the years. Hence, making cyber security services and endpoint management the need of the hour.
What is Endpoint Management?
To simplify, it refers to the ways businesses across the globe manage and protect their endpoint devices like computers, phones, laptops and servers to name a few. Endpoint is usually referred to as a device that can receive or send communications through a network that it is connected to.
Typically, these devices help employees have access to their business network from any part of the world, often making them vulnerable to cyber-attacks. With the help of unified endpoint management, businesses can authenticate the access rights of an endpoint device.
Moreover, by developing effective security policies, one can monitor and prevent internal threats to access your business network and safeguard it against intrusion or malicious attacks.
Through this article, you will learn effective ways of strategizing your IT endpoint management to safeguard it from cyber attacks and protect your information.
Identifying All Business Endpoints
A key step for effective endpoint management is to identify all endpoints. By understanding their vulnerabilities and cataloguing them, you can effectively minimise the threat involved.
Businesses must ensure that network access is only provided to those devices that have been approved by security policies. A vital point to keep in mind is identifying your weakest link and protecting the ones that need the utmost priority.
For instance, if you own an automobile workshop, you are more likely to run your business with the help of garage management software. Although such solutions are renowned to bring ease of working and enhance efficiency, they too might be vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
In such cases, you must only provide network access to devices approved within your security policies. Hackers usually target endpoints that are sensitive by exploiting loopholes in the process.
Through unscrupulous means, they can access your entire business network and spread viruses or steal valuable data. Even a trivial source like your printer and scanner could possibly act as a gateway for attackers to exploit.
To avoid this, a strict policy needs to be set up to safeguard the overall network. The policy must explicitly list all the devices (even personal devices) that can access the network and grant access to only the ones mentioned in its list.
Laying Down Policies
More often than not, businesses fail to lay down policies that administer all their endpoints increasing the risk of attacks. Hence, it is imperative to secure your information by clearly defining your data classification.
You can start with a basic setup for data storage, access and protection. Also, your access policy should explain the level of information that can be accessed by every employee.
In case you are struggling to start out, you can consider laying down a two-factor authentication process. This is a great start to safeguard all your endpoints, especially mobile devices and emails.
Another healthy measure is to ensure the IT department is notified about security breaches so prompt actions can take place. If you are struggling to create access policies for your IT network, then reach out to professionals who can help in endpoint management and firewalls.
Their structured approach helps endpoint device management in ensuring security and flexibility for users, especially for businesses operating in complex cloud networks as well as physical premises. Considering a unified endpoint management solution (UEM) can play a critical role in hybrid security for your business.
Offering Employee Training and Awareness
Workplaces have drastically changed as businesses across the globe are open to the idea of working in remote workplaces, at the comfort of their homes. Businesses can now hire new employees across the globe thereby improving their performance.
However, ignoring employee training with respect to cyber security could be a potential threat to the business network. It is essential to create awareness and train regular employees, seasonal members and new employees.
Educating your staff about the dangers of cyber threats and how one can avoid getting hacked can play a pivotal role in cyber security. Organising training sessions on mobile device security, preventing virus outbreaks and encrypting data can be a great start for effective endpoint management.
You can also consider educating employees on these fronts and encourage individual responsibility to meet security standards at your business.
Encryption Of Data And Security
It is imperative that all devices that are connected to your network are password protected. Most of the devices have their default settings and passwords set up, hence making them susceptible to cyber-attacks and hackers. One must actively and regularly change passwords.
Moreover, watch out for content downloaded from the internet as many sites pave the path for hackers and viruses. Updating your software regularly and investing in effective hardware and firmware can essentially safeguard the business network to a great extent.
Furthermore, sensitive and restricted data must be encrypted in the cloud at all costs. To be on the safer side, it is best to encrypt the entire hard drive that contains sensitive data.
An effective solution is to encrypt emails and access remote desktops and mobile security through virtual private networks (VPN) only. Do not overlook mobile security in the process. Incorporating Mobile threat defence as part of your security strategy can help reduce phishing attempts and safeguard your data.
To Sum It Up
With cyber-attacks being on the rise, maintaining effective endpoint management is the need of the hour. Companies must take active measures to increase security practices and cautionary measures at the workplace.
Identifying all network sources and encrypting data can be a great place to start with. Moreover, laying strict security policies across your organisation can ensure all endpoints in the network are protected.
Lastly, offering training to employees and creating awareness about cyber security will gradually help in reducing cyber-attacks. Reaching out to professional and qualified individuals to set up unified endpoint management systems can set your business’s security at the forefront.
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