Endpoints make up much of a company’s network and IT infrastructure. This collection of computers, mobile devices, servers, smart gadgets, and other IoT devices (Internet of Things) connect to the company network. The number of endpoints a company has will vary by business size. For example, companies with less than 50 employees have about 22 endpoints, while small businesses with 50-100 employees will have roughly 114. Each device allows a hacker to penetrate a company’s defenses. An endpoint security strategy addresses endpoint risk and puts focused tactics in place.
64% of organizations have experienced one or more compromising endpoint attacks. In this guide, Wahaya IT will provide you with straightforward solutions. Solutions focused on the protection of endpoint devices.
Address Password Vulnerabilities
Passwords are one of the biggest vulnerabilities when it comes to endpoints. The news reports large 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 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 giveaway item at trade shows. But an innocent-looking USB can cause a breach. One trick hacker 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 properly. It also monitors for the presence of abnormal behavior. Additionally, seek devices and security solutions that allow you to disable USB boots.
Update All Endpoint Security Solutions
You should regularly update your endpoint security solutions. It is best to automate software updates to minimize the chance of a breach. 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. 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 (multi-factor authentication) further and looks at context-based cues for authentication and security policies. These include several things. Such as what time of day someone is logging in, their geographic location, and the device being used. 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 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. This ensures a company can take all critical steps. Examples of device lifecycle security include when a device is first issued to a user. This is when you should remove unnecessary privileges. When a device moves from one user to another, properly cleaning the device of old data and reconfiguring it for the new user is critical. Finally, when you retire a device, you should properly scrub it. This means 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. This prevents the company’s 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!
Get help putting robust endpoint security in place, step by step. Wahaya IT can help! Contact us today for a free consultation.
The article used with permission from The Technology Press.
