Endpoints make up much of a company’s network and IT infrastructure. This is a collection of computers, mobile devices, servers, and smart gadgets. This also includes other IoT devices that all connect to the company network.
The number of endpoints a company has will vary by business size. Companies with less than 50 employees have about
22 endpoints. Small businesses with 50-100 employees have roughly 114. Enterprise organisations with 1,000+ employees average 1,920 endpoints.
As you can imagine, the more endpoints means a higher chance that a hacker can penetrate a company's defenses. They could plant malware or gain access to sensitive company data. An endpoint security strategy addresses endpoint risk and puts a strategy in place.
I'm writing this because
64% of organisations have experienced one or more compromising endpoint attacks. In my opinion, that's way too high. In my realism, I don't think the number will drop down. But, I don't want you or your business a part of that statistic.
In this guide, we’ll provide you with straightforward solutions. Solutions focused on protection of endpoint devices.
Deal With Password Vulnerabilities
Passwords are one of the biggest vulnerabilities when it comes to endpoints. You might have seen the news reports large data breaches before related to leaked passwords. For example, there is the RockYou2021 breach. It exposed the largest number of passwords ever –
3.2 billion. That's insane.
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 (training should be done by professionals)
- Look for password-less 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 free giveaway item at trade shows and events. But, an innocent-looking USB can actually cause a breach. One trick that hackers use to gain access to a computer is to boot it from a USB device containing malicious code.
There are certain precautions you should have to prevent this from happening. One of these is ensuring you’re using firmware protection that covers 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 properly. It also monitors for the presence of anomalous behaviour. On top of that, seek devices and security solutions that allow you to disable USB boots.
Update All Endpoint Security Solutions
Regularly updating your endpoint security solutions is great practice. Automating software updates is even better. Avoid leaving things to chance.
Firmware updates are often 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 important for ensuring your devices remain secure and protected.
It’s recommended 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 are you authenticating users to access your network, business apps, and data?
If you are using only a username and password, then 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 things such as, what time of day someone is logging in, their geographic location, and the device they are using.
Zero Trust is a method that continuously monitors your network. It ensures every entity in a network belongs there. The safelisting of devices is an example of this approach. You approve all devices for access to your network and block all others by default.
Apply Security Policies Throughout the Device Lifecycle
From the time a device is first purchased to the time it retires, you need to have security protocols in place. Tools like Microsoft AutoPilot and SEMM allow companies to automate. They deploy healthy security practices across each lifecycle phase. Making sure companies doesn't miss any critical steps.
Examples of device lifecycle security include when a device is initially issued to a user. This is when you should remove unnecessary privileges. When a device moves from one user to another, it needs to be properly cleaned of old data and reconfigured for the new user. When you retire a device, it should be properly reset. This means deleting all information and disconnecting it from any accounts. A full factory reset may be necessary in some circumstances.
Device Loss or Theft
It's not hugely uncommon for mobile devices and laptops to get lost or stolen. When that happens, you should have a sequence of events that take place immediately. This prevents company risk of data and exposed business accounts.
Prior preparation for potential device loss through backup solutions is ideal. You should also use endpoint security that allows remote lock and wipe for devices.
Take The Ultimate Endpoint Risk Reduction Step Today!
Get help putting robust endpoint security in place, step by step. We can help! With offices in Mount Isa and Gladstone, contact us today for a free consultation.