Easy Guide to Follow for Better Endpoint Protection

Endpoints make up a large part of an organization's network and IT infrastructure. These are a collection of computers, mobile devices, servers and smart gadgets. As well as other IoT devices, all connected to the enterprise network.

The number of endpoints in an enterprise depends on the size of the company. Companies with less than 50 employees have about 22 endpoints. Small businesses with 50 to 100 employees have about 114 endpoints. Large enterprises with more than 1,000 employees have an average of 1,920 endpoints.

Each of these devices is an opportunity for a hacker to penetrate an organization's defenses. They could inject malware or gain access to sensitive corporate data. An endpoint security strategy addresses endpoint risk and employs targeted tactics.

64% of  enterprises have been affected by one or more compromising endpoint attacks

In this guide, we present straightforward solutions that focus on endpoint protection.

Address Password Vulnerabilities

Passwords are one of the biggest endpoint vulnerabilities. Major data breaches related to leaked passwords are repeatedly reported in the news. One example is the RockYou2021 security breach. This exposed the largest number of passwords ever -3.2 billion.

Inadequate password security and data breaches make credential theft one of the biggest cybersecurity threats.

Eliminate password vulnerabilities on your endpoints:

• Train employees on proper password creation and handling
• Look for passwordless solutions, such as biometrics
• Install multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all accounts
  
  

Stop Malware Infection Before OS Boot

USB drives (also known as flash drives) are a popular giveaway at trade shows. But even an innocent-looking USB drive can lead to a security breach. One trick hackers use to gain access to a computer is to trunk it from a USB device that contains malicious code

There are certain precautions you can take to prevent this from happening. These include 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 by malware. It checks whether the trunk process is running properly. It also monitors for the presence of anomalous behavior. Also, look for devices and security solutions that allow you to disable the USB trunk.

Update All Endpoint Security Solutions

You should update your endpoint security solutions regularly. It's best to automate software updates, if possible, so they are not left to chance.

Firmware updates are often forgotten. One reason is that they do not usually provide the same alerts as software updates. However, they are just as important to ensure that your devices remain safe and secure.

It's best to have an IT professional manage all your endpoint updates. He or she ensures that updates are applied in a timely manner. He also ensures that devices and software are updated smoothly.

Operate Modern Device & User Authentication

How do you authenticate users for access to your network, business applications, and data? If you only use one username and password, your business is at high risk of a security breach.

Use two modern methods for authentication:

• Contextual authentication
• Zero Trust approach

Contextual authentication goes a step further than MFA. It considers context-based clues for authentication and security policies. This includes several things. For example, the time of day someone logs in, their geographic location, and the device they are using.

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

Use Security Policies Throughout the Device Lifecycle

From the time you purchase a device until it is retired, you need to establish security protocols. Tools like Microsoft AutoPilot and SEMM allow organizations to automate this. They ensure that healthy security practices are in place at every stage of the lifecycle. This ensures that an organization does not miss critical steps

An example of device lifecycle security is when a device is first issued to a user. At this point, you should remove unnecessary permissions. When a device moves from one user to another, it must be properly purged of old data. And be reconfigured for the new user. When you decommission a device, it should be properly cleaned up. This means deleting all information and disconnecting all accounts.

Be Ready for Device Loss or Theft

It may happen that mobile devices and laptops often get lost or stolen. In this case, you should set a sequence of events that can be initiated immediately. This will avoid the risk of data and unprotected business accounts for the company.

Prepare in advance for potential device loss using backup solutions. Also, use endpoint backup that allows devices to be locked and wiped remotely.

Reduce Your Endpoint Risk Today!

Let Onyx IT help you set up robust endpoint security, step by step. Onyx IT can help you immediately! Contact Onyx IT today for a free consultation.