Endpoints make up much of a company’s network and IT infrastructure. This is a collection of computers, mobile devices, servers, and smart gadgets, as well as 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.
Each of those devices is a chance for a hacker to penetrate a company’s defences. They could plant malware or gain access to sensitive company data. An endpoint security strategy addresses endpoint risk and puts focused tactics in place.
64% of organisations have experienced one or more compromising endpoint attacks.
In this guide, we’ll provide you with straightforward solutions. Solutions focused on the protection of endpoint devices.
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:
USB drives (also known as flash drives) are a popular giveaway item at trade shows. But an innocent-looking USB can actually cause a breach. One trick hackers 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 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. Additionally, seek devices and security solutions that allow you to disable USB boots. Better still – don’t allow them in your business.
You should regularly update your endpoint security solutions. It’s best to automate software updates if possible, so they aren’t left 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 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.
How are you authenticating users to access 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 takes MFA a step further. It 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 they are using.
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.
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. This ensures a company doesn’t miss any 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, it needs to be properly cleaned of old data and reconfigured for the new user. When you retire a device, it should be properly scrubbed. This means deleting all information and disconnecting it from any accounts.
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 risk of data and exposed business accounts.
Prepare in advance for potential device loss through backup solutions. Also, you should use endpoint security that allows remote lock and wipe for devices.
Get help putting robust endpoint security in place, step by step. We can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
You need the best IT support in London. Technology is complicated and expensive. It’s so hard to maintain everything and know what to do when something breaks or goes wrong. IT problems can put a damper on your day. They’re frustrating, time-consuming, and seem like a never-ending cycle of issues.
Penntech’s average NPS score over 90 days is 84. The average Net Promoter Score (NPS) for IT Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can vary. Still, an NPS of around 50 is considered excellent in this industry, with scores above 70 exceptional and rare.
We offer our services on a trial basis for the first three months because we’re confident in our delivery and approach.
Penntech offers a wide range of IT services, from strategic project management to 24/7 remote support, ensuring all your IT needs are always covered.
We provide advanced cybersecurity measures and expertise, including penetration testing services and Cyber Essentials, to protect clients from cyber threats.
We offer Clients the ability to scale IT services up or down based on their needs. This flexibility is crucial for businesses that experience seasonal changes or rapid growth.
Other providers often enforce their preferred IT stack, but we don’t, as IT is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
We ensure our Clients’ business continuity through robust disaster recovery and backup solutions.
With experience in various verticals and industries, Penntech understands different businesses’ unique IT challenges and can provide customised solutions..
Contact us today or explore the range of support packages on offer.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.
Business owners often have to wear many hats, from handling HR and marketing tasks to managing the finances. One task…
Cool Windows 11 Features That May Make You Love This OS
Microsoft released the Windows 11 operating system (OS) over a year ago. It was well-received mainly with reviews as stable…
6 Ways to Prevent Misconfiguration (the Main Cause of Cloud Breaches)
Misconfiguration of cloud solutions is often overlooked when companies plan cybersecurity strategies. Cloud apps are typically quick and easy to…
4 Proven Ways to Mitigate the Costs of a Data Breach
No business wants to suffer a data breach, but unfortunately, it’s difficult to avoid them in today’s environment. Approximately 83%…
The benefits of AI include advancing our technology, improving business operations, and much more. Adoption of AI has more than doubled…
Leading Password Managers for Personal and Business
We hope that your business is already considering a password manager system, but there’s still the matter of finding the…
What’s Changing in the Cybersecurity Insurance Market?
Cybersecurity insurance is still a pretty new concept for many SMBs. It was initially introduced in the 1990s to provide coverage for large enterprises. It covered things like data processing errors and online media.
What are the advantages of implementing Conditional Access?
It seems that nearly as long as passwords have been around, they’ve been a major source of security concern. Eighty-one…
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses face numerous challenges in managing their IT infrastructure. Managed IT services have emerged as…
IT Support Tips for Office Managers
Practical Advice on Managing IT Issues Efficiently Managing IT support for office managers can be challenging, but with the right…
Top IT Remote Support Tools to Assist Team Members
In today’s increasingly remote and hybrid work environments, reliable remote support tools are essential for quickly and efficiently resolving IT…
Essential Components of a Disaster Recovery Plan for Office Managers
A well-crafted disaster recovery plan (DRP) ensures business continuity and minimises downtime during an unexpected disaster. As an office manager,…
How an Office Manager Can Maintain an Inventory of IT Assets
Maintaining an accurate inventory of IT assets is crucial for efficient management, cost control, and security within an office environment….
What an Office Manager Should Consider for Quality Hardware
Selecting quality hardware is essential for maintaining a productive and efficient office environment. As an office manager, you need to…
How an Office Manager Can Monitor IT Network Performance
Monitoring IT network performance is crucial for maintaining a smooth and efficient office environment. You may not have a technical…
Essential IT Policies for Office Managers
As an office manager, establishing comprehensive IT policies is crucial for maintaining security, efficiency, and compliance within your organisation. These…
IT Troubleshooting Guide for Office Managers
Basic IT Troubleshooting Guide As an office manager, you often need to address everyday IT issues to keep the office…