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Strengthening Endpoint Security on Mobile Devices
Remote work and virtual offices are no longer futuristic ideas. With more and more companies adopting permanent work-from-home or hybrid setups, the number of employees leveraging BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is also on the rise. However, BYOD brings its own set of security concerns. Mobile devices, including mobile phones and tablets, are the endpoints of a company’s system as they are the access points to all company information. Any lax security measures to protect these devices give cybercriminals an undue advantage to hack and breach security.
A study by the Ponemon Institute noted that 68% of organizations experienced endpoint attacks that compromised their IT infrastructure, with the frequency of attacks consistently on the rise. One of the most notable security incidents was the Kaseya VSA supply chain attack, where the hackers reportedly hit close to 1 million endpoints across 800 to 1500 businesses worldwide.
Endpoint Security Threats
Endpoint security threats can be both internal and external. With the growth of a decentralized work environment, the risks associated also increase. It is observed that malware is one of cybercriminals’ common endpoint attack methods. Phishing attacks, ransomware, poor endpoint visibility, and malware ads have been observed as some of the biggest cybersecurity threats in 2021. Similarly, hackers also deploy SIM swapping to target users by impersonating mobile service providers.
2022 Endpoint Trends
Driven by budget, CISOs (Chief Information Security Officers) tend to focus more on Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) to streamline continuous OS updates and device management by leveraging architectural support. Reportedly, there will also be an increase in Zero Trust Security to secure IT infrastructure. As per Gartner’s Hype Cycle for Endpoint Security, 2021, the current ZTNA applications have reportedly increased flexibility, improved user experiences, and role-based adaptability. Another trend will be the increase in the use of AL and ML to identify anomalies and data risks. These emerging technologies will also be used to identify weaker links within the endpoints to prioritize patch updates.
Measures to Strengthen Endpoints
Various types of endpoint security measures can be implemented. Some of the most common ones are —
Antivirus Programs are one of the first steps in the line of defense against endpoint attacks. These programs are designed to detect and eliminate viruses and protect the system at all costs. They can work with various types of cybersecurity attacks, including trojans and viruses.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) strategy is focused on the security of the company’s privileged data from cyberattacks and managing data visibility on the endpoint outside the company’s network. This strategy could include employee cybersecurity training or installing anti-malware across systems. DLP also helps control data loss from portable devices.
Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP) prevent file-based malware attacks, help detect malicious activity within the system, and offer remediation capabilities necessary to respond to security breaches and alerts. It combines antivirus, data loss prevention, encryption, and intrusion prevention.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) helps identify and respond to cyberattacks or threats immediately. EDR continuously monitors and collects data that can be leveraged to look for new malware, anomalies, or any other discrepancies. This strategy allows organizations to remain proactive and mitigate risks effectively.
Sandboxing allows endpoint security solutions to keep unknown programs under quarantine and help detect zero-day attacks. By sandboxing, organizations can recognize and stop APT. One of the biggest advantages of sandboxing is that users can replicate a real operating system and perform tasks while isolating the application or device from the real network, thus preventing any damage to the database or the server.
While these measures can be implemented, it is important to have the right security strategy in place to maximize the impact of these preventive measures.
- Firstly, security officers must correctly identify the endpoints to determine and catalog the various vulnerabilities.
- A strict data access policy must be implemented as there are remote users. The policies should include data access, storage, and usage protocols with a zero-trust approach. These authorizations must be periodically reviewed to avoid unnecessary weak points.
- Employees must be educated and trained on the various security risks and preventive measures. Basic security hygiene such as password protection, email phishing awareness, and the importance of software updates must be part of the training programs.
- Using Virtual Private Networks (VPN) to access servers or business data is another way of adding security. Similarly, data encryptions and the use of HTTPS protocols for all web communication help secure data in transit.
- Organizations that allow BYOD should have a rulebook that must be followed. To ensure the device is not compromised, access to certain websites and apps needs to be restricted. Similarly, URL filtering can be implemented to block potentially malicious websites from mining data from the servers.
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References
https://www.cybereason.com/esg-research-report-2021-endpoint-security-trends
https://expertinsights.com/insights/50-endpoint-security-stats-you-should-know/
https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/types-of-endpoint-security
https://venturebeat.com/2021/10/06/zero-trust-and-ues-lead-gartners-2021-hype-cycle-for-endpoint-security/
https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/types-of-endpoint-security
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