Sometimes, the only challenge is the absence of a good endpoint security management tool — a gap that Kaseya VSA can fill effortlessly. This new year, let’s approach endpoint security with a renewed focus.

What is endpoint security management?

Endpoint security management is the implementation of proper systems, procedures and tools to manage and secure all types of endpoints connected to an organization’s network. The definition of endpoints, in this case, extends to all devices, such as laptops, mobile phones, tablets, and even servers and IoT devices.

Compromising even a single endpoint can provide threat actors with easy access to a company’s private network and applications as well as workloads on the cloud, threatening business continuity. They can then use this advantage to conduct corporate espionage, steal confidential information or launch devastating cyberattacks, like malware, ransomware, phishing, advanced persistent threats (APTs) and more. To prevent this from happening, technicians use a variety of tools, like antivirus, antimalware, firewalls, intrusion prevention systems and endpoint detection and response (EDR), to give all endpoints multiple layers of security.

Implementing security policies, such as establishing strong password rules, granting access permission, managing patches effectively, designing an incident mitigation plan and remotely wiping data from devices in the event of theft or unauthorized access, also fall under the scope of endpoint management.

Why is endpoint security management important?

Endpoints are the outermost perimeter of a company’s IT infrastructure, the first line of defense and the prime security targets, which is why they need constant monitoring and protection. Endpoint security management makes all the components and policies that go towards endpoint security work as a cohesive whole.

An advanced unified remote monitoring and management (URMM) solution, like Kaseya VSA, makes this easy. VSA is a four-in-one tool that combines powerful remote control, software/patch management, executive reporting and endpoint monitoring into a single, easy-to-use solution. Check out the story of how Sephno, a leading MSP specializing in cybersecurity, leveraged VSA and other tools from the Kaseya IT Complete platform to unlock business growth and success in the cybersecurity space.

Some of the top benefits of endpoint security management are:

• Data security and privacy: Endpoint security management protects critical and valuable data stored on endpoints from malicious activities. It also prevents unauthorized access, which can have a devastating effect on a company’s data confidentiality and reputation.
• Business continuity and productivity: Compromised or faulty endpoints lead to increased  downtime and lower productivity, which leads to financial losses due to the cost associated with data recovery and system restoration. A robust endpoint security management process ensures security, business continuity, higher uptime and better end-user and customer service. This translates to lower operational costs and optimum utilization of resources.
• Regulatory compliance: Data protection is serious business, and organizations have to comply with various government regulations to ensure this. By undertaking endpoint security tasks, organizations can also tick off many of the regulatory requirements, keeping them on the good side of the law. An added advantage is that it helps businesses protect their intellectual property from theft and misuse.
• Holistic cybersecurity strategy: Today’s challenging and complex cybersecurity landscape requires businesses to take a holistic approach to security. While endpoint security management is one facet, businesses must also focus on other aspects, like cloud security, network security and vulnerability management, for comprehensive protection. Additionally, organizations should invest in employee training for increased awareness and adherence to cybersecurity best practices.

Check out our webinar recording on endpoint security management for more information.

Benefits of endpoint security management

Endpoint security management provides users with secure access to corporate networks from any device with an internet connection. The following are some of its top benefits:

Best practices for endpoint security management

Keeping the following best practices in mind will help you build a robust endpoint security management plan and keep your endpoints safe from damaging cyberattacks.

Regular software patching and updates

• It is important to regularly patch and update software to protect against the latest threats.
• Patches should be installed as soon as they are available as they can help protect against a wide range of attacks, such as malware, denial of service and data theft.
• VSA provides automated patching that streamlines the patch management workflow, even for large-scale environments.
• VSA is optimized for rapid deployment of patches, even in low bandwidth networks. Moreover, VSA’s robust patch vetting process limits zero-day disruptions and offers easy governance via policy, profiles and organizations.
• View patch history, override or even rollback patches to limit end-user disruption.

User education and training

• Educating your users on the latest tactics used by cybercriminals and ways to identify and avoid them goes a long way toward strengthening your defense posture.
• Regular training and testing for attacks like phishing and malware can help users take the right steps to protect themselves and the organization.
• Employees should be trained to recognize suspicious emails, links and attachments that will help them remain vigilant and comply with security protocols.

Access control and least privilege principle

• Access control and the principle of least privilege protects organizations from both internal and external threats.
• Organizations use role-based access control to provide users access to only the resources they need for their role.
• This prevents users from accidentally deleting important data, changing configurations or installing applications with malicious intent.
• It also provides an extra layer of security by ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive data.
• Access control requires users to be carefully identified and authenticated, using usernames, passwords and biometric data in order to grant them privileges and access.
• The principle of least privilege states that users should get access to the minimum amount of data they need to do their work, and access to any other resource should be provided on a need-to-know basis to minimize the potential impact of security incidents.

Endpoint encryption

• Encrypting all the data stored on an endpoint, including performing full disk encryption, prevents misuse in the event of loss, theft or other security incidents.
• It makes the data unreadable to anyone without a decryption key.
• Endpoint encryption also prevents malicious actors from accessing the data, even if they are able to gain physical access to the device.
• Organizations can also perform file-level encryption that encrypts individual files or folders instead of the entire device.
• It is also recommended to encrypt data when it is being transmitted over a network to protect it from man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks.

Continuous monitoring and incident response

• Continuous monitoring of endpoints helps technicians detect suspicious activity and respond to incidents in real-time.
• Round-the-clock monitoring, clubbed with machine learning and behavioral analytics, helps organizations contain threats before they become an actual breach. According to the IBM Security Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023, the average cost of a data breach is $4.45 million.
• Additionally, organizations should also have an incident response plan in place to quickly mitigate the impact of an attack. We have written a comprehensive eBook on how to build an effective incident response plan to protect your business from severe financial and reputational damages.

Integration with threat intelligence

• Threat intelligence solutions collect, analyze and share information on existing and potential threats to help businesses make informed decisions about security policies, systems and procedures.
• Threat intelligence provides specifics on indicators of compromise (IOCs), which serve as evidence of a cyberthreat in action.
• For instance, threat intelligence can provide details such as the type of malware used or the source of the attack, which can help organizations quickly identify and block malicious activities.
• For more information, check out our blog on the role of endpoint management tools in IT security.

Common challenges of endpoint security management and how to overcome them

Once you understand the best practices, knowing how to overcome common challenges will further help you solidify your endpoint security management game.

Diverse endpoint landscape

Applying security policies to a diverse variety of endpoint devices, applications and operating systems is challenging. It can lead to inconsistencies in vulnerability management and patch management and hurt the balance between security and usability.

Endpoint visibility and control

A diverse endpoint landscape can hamper visibility into certain endpoints, like those registered under the bring your own device (BYOD) policy or used by remote and mobile workers. Moreover, managing and controlling a growing number of applications, not all enrolled under the security plan, can create shadow IT threats. Legacy systems can also fly under the radar and might not integrate with modern security services.

Balancing security and productivity

Extremely stringent security practices can hinder productivity, making it difficult for users to access resources comfortably and when required. On the other hand, lax security policies increase the risk of a cyberattack. Therefore, striking a balance between the two is crucial for companies to achieve the twin goals of security and growth.

Zero-day threats and APTs

Zero-day threats leave security managers with a short window to fix the vulnerability before it gets exploited widely. Sometimes, cybercriminals use custom exploits that traditional security solutions or signature-based systems fail to detect. APTs, on the other hand, are multistage attacks that leverage advanced tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) and can go undetected for months.

Patch management challenges

Managing patches for varied endpoints is a complex task that requires regular monitoring and testing to ensure the latest patches are all applied. This can be time-consuming and costly, especially for organizations that have a large number of endpoints.

User awareness and training

Users often lack the capabilities to detect and respond to a cyberattack. They often do not know how to bring any suspicious activity to light. Lack of user awareness and training can lead to serious security threats.

Resource limitations

Lack of the right tools, resources or personnel can leave organizations with glaring loopholes in their endpoint security management strategy. Without being aware of potential threats or having access to the right tools, organizations can miss out on important warning signs or fail to detect suspicious activity.

Incident response efficiency

The efficiency of an incident response plan determines how quickly an organization can bounce back from a cyberattack, as well as how effectively it can contain the impact. Organizations without a plan are more likely to experience longer recovery times, higher financial losses and bigger reputational damage.

BYOD policies

BYOD poses a significant security risk. We know that a cyberattack is no longer a question of “if” but “when” it will happen. A company’s network becomes more vulnerable with every new device it adds. By allowing your employees to bring their own devices to work, you’re essentially trusting them to keep the devices secure.

Human error

The actions and behavior of individuals and how they interact with data digitally impact endpoint security. Using weak passwords, unintentional data exposure, lack of security awareness and falling victim to phishing emails and social engineering attacks can inadvertently introduce malware or disclose sensitive information. According to Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report, 74% of breaches involved the human element, which includes social engineering attacks, errors or misuse.

Having covered the challenges, here are some strategies to help you overcome them:

• Automated deployment and management: Automated deployment ensures that security patches, updates, and configurations are consistently and promptly applied across all endpoints. It also streamlines incident response, allowing IT teams to identify and take action on any threat quickly.
• Endpoint detection and response (EDR): EDR solutions provide real-time visibility of endpoint behavior, helping detect and respond to advanced threats quickly. It provides detailed forensic logs and reports, enabling IT teams to investigate and remediate threats more effectively. Additionally, EDR solutions can provide automated threat hunting and threat intelligence, helping IT teams stay ahead of attackers.
• User education and training: Encouraging users to adopt secure behavior and educating them to recognize and avoid phishing attempts and social engineering attacks will greatly reduce the likelihood of human-error-related security incidents. Additionally, regular security awareness training can help users stay up to date with the latest security trends and threats.
• Endpoint segmentation: Endpoint segmentation is an effective strategy to prevent the lateral movement of malware and stop it from spreading to the wider networks. By isolating critical endpoints and data, organizations can reduce their attack surface and limit the scope of the damage that can be done in the event of a breach.
• Continuous assessment and monitoring: Continuous monitoring and detection facilitates early detection of security threats and supports timely patch management. Organizations should also conduct regular security audits to identify any weak points and address them promptly.

What to look for in an endpoint security management solution?

An endpoint management solution should support not only the current needs but also the future needs of your organization. While it’s not a comprehensive list, a solution with the following features should help you meet your objectives:

• Comprehensive threat detection: The solution should provide complete protection against a slew of known, unknown and advanced threats. It should provide root cause analysis of incidents and strategies to mitigate them in the future.
• Real-time monitoring and response: Cyberattacks don’t see the time of the day, nor should your endpoint security tool. It should provide round-the-clock monitoring of your endpoints so you can detect and address anomalies in real-time.
• Compatibility and integration: The solution should easily integrate with core IT tools, like PSA and IT documentation and other security solutions, for complete interoperability and seamless collaboration across the entire IT infrastructure. It should also provide automation across IT management functions to streamline operations.
• Scalability: The solution should be able to handle a growing number and variety of endpoints as your business grows.
• User-friendly interface: The interface should be intuitive, easy to use and customizable to meet the needs of different types of users.
• Endpoint encryption and data protection: Encryption prevents data leaks and helps maintain the integrity of data. VSA provides encryption for data at rest and in transit, protecting it from unauthorized access. It also provides data backup and recovery to ensure that data is always available.
• Data loss prevention (DLP): DLP is the process of detecting and preventing data leaks, unauthorized destruction of sensitive information and illicit transfer of data outside the organization.
• Automated patch management: Effective and timely patch management is your best defense against ransomware or other cyberattacks. With 200+ third-party titles within VSA, you can patch all on- and off-network devices, including Windows, Mac and Linux. You can wake up your Windows machines in the middle of the night, install patches and turn them off again, empowering you to achieve near-perfect patch compliance. VSA’s robust patch vetting process limits zero-day disruptions and offers easy governance via policy, profiles and organizations. VSA is optimized for rapid deployment of patches even in low bandwidth networks. View patch history, override or even rollback patches to limit end-user disruption. Book a free demo of VSA and see how it functions in your envionment.
• Centralized management console: You should be able to complete every endpoint security management task from a single console. VSA empowers businesses to command all of IT centrally. Users can:

• Easily manage remote and distributed environments
• Simplify backup and disaster recovery
• Safeguard against cybersecurity attacks
• Effectively manage compliance and network assets
• Streamline IT documentation
• Automate across IT management functions

Here’s a handy checklist of the top things to consider when choosing a modern endpoint management solution.

How Kaseya can help you with endpoint security management

Kaseya VSA is a unified remote monitoring and management (uRMM) platform that enables IT teams to manage core IT security functions from a single console. VSA brings together a host of services, like software patch management (including OS and third-party patching), AV/AM deployment and management, and backup and disaster recovery management (servers and SaaS app data), so you can provide comprehensive protection to all your endpoints using a single platform. In addition, VSA lets you patch off-network devices even over low-bandwidth networks — an indispensable feature when securing work-from-home (WFH) employees’ computers.

By providing timely alerts and triaging them, VSA allows businesses to address the most critical vulnerabilities first. Also, when VSA detects a suspicious code or file, it isolates it and contains the affected endpoints, preventing the threats from moving laterally in the network. The solution also supports automated actions, such as quarantining a compromised device, blocking malicious processes or initiating a system scan, based on predefined rules.

By providing comprehensive security to your systems and networks with Kaseya VSA, you can protect them against ongoing cyberthreats. By integrating an RMM tool into your business, you can boost growth, protect your business and safeguard your clients.

Want to learn more? Schedule a demo of Kaseya VSA today!

The post What Is Endpoint Security Management and Why Is It Important? appeared first on Kaseya.

What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malicious software(malware) that employs the use of encryption to withhold sensitive information (files, applications, databases) of the victim at ransom. Once encrypted by ransomware, the critical data is rendered inaccessible to the user or organization until a certain ransom is paid to the attacker. More often than not, these ransomware attacks impose a deadline by which the victim needs to make the ransom payment. In the event of nonpayment by the deadline, either the affected data is lost forever, or the ransom amount increases.

Typically designed to quickly spread across the target network or database, ransomware can effectively paralyze an entire organization within minutes. The menace of ransomware is real, leading to billions of dollars being lost to ransom payments and significant damages/expenses for both private and government-owned organizations.

What is dwell time?

Dwell time is essentially the time period between the attacker’s initial entry into the target organization’s network/database and the time when the organization becomes aware of the existence of the attacker within its environment and takes action to eradicate them. In most ransomware incidents, hackers go past firewalls for 14 days, 30 days or more. Dwell time is steadily increasing year over year with most attackers spending longer and longer in the victim’s systems before they’re ready to detonate the bomb. The moment of compromise is not actually the moment you often learn about it. It actually happened weeks before.

What is ransomware protection?

Ransomware protection can be described as a series of measures/safeguards that organizations put in place with the aim to avoid, prevent, defend against and mitigate damage from a ransomware attack. In other words, it is a multilayered approach to combatting the multilayered problem of ransomware attacks using infrastructure monitoring and management, cybersecurity and backup and disaster recovery measures. Here’s a list of measures that you can take in order to protect your data and systems against the far-reaching impact of ransomware attacks:

• Always keep data backups.
• Deploy a robust ransomware protection solution.
• Keep your OS, applications, security software and programs patched and updated.
• Train your employees in the security best practices to avoid ransomware attacks, such as never clicking on links or email attachments from unreliable sources.
• Practice caution online and beware of malicious pop-up ads and websites.
• Never use public Wi-Fi networks to surf the internet. Use VPN (virtual private network) instead to prevent your critical data from exposure.
• Avoid using USB drives from unknown sources.

Why do we need ransomware protection?

According to Kaseya’s 2022 IT Operations Survey report, more than a third of IT professionals cite ransomware protection among the top three technology considerations for 2023. So, why is ransomware protection such a big deal? Given the rapid advancements in cyber technology, ransomware is fast becoming one of the most preferred ways for attackers to launch attacks on individuals and organizations. Your systems and networks are growing ever more susceptible to ransomware attacks by the day. A report by Sophos reveals that nearly 66% of organizations were hit by a ransomware attack in 2021!

The average cost of a ransomware attack in 2022 (not including the ransom itself) is a whopping $4.54 million. It goes without saying that a single ransomware attack can quickly drain you of your resources. Protecting your organization against ransomware attacks has become a crucial part of any robust cybersecurity posture.

What are the best practices for protecting against ransomware?

Now that we know how important it is to protect your organization against the menace of ransomware attacks, let’s look at some of the best practices that you must follow in order to strengthen your security posture.

Network monitoring from your RMM

Regular monitoring of your networks is one of the best strategies that can help you identify any possible intrusions within your IT environment and stop an attack before it occurs. A robust RMM/endpoint management solution can help you stay on top of your network monitoring needs.

Backup and recovery

Deploying a comprehensive backup and recovery solution is imperative to ensuring that you never lose your critical data, even when your organization is exposed to a ransomware attack. Get a backup solution that provides daily, automated backup of your SaaS data on Google Workspace, Salesforce, and Office to their own secure cloud infrastructure, so that if you ever lose data, you can restore it directly back into your environment.

Patch management

Fixing software vulnerabilities through patching reduces the “attack surface” and keeps hackers at bay. Patch management is critical when it comes to securing your systems. The primary purpose of patches is to fix functional bugs and security flaws in the software. For efficient patching, you must put in place an automated process that reduces the burden on your IT team as much as possible.

Antivirus and anti-malware

Configuring and deploying a strong antivirus and anti-malware tool across your network can significantly reduce the chances of attackers invading your IT environment and gaining control over it.

Anti-phishing and email security software

Email is the most successful delivery method for the costliest cyberattacks out there including ransomware. Building a strong defense against phishing is one of the most important strategies for deflecting malicious attacks and keeping the integrity of your systems, networks and data intact. Make sure to install automated anti-phishing and email security software that protects you from cybercriminals posing as trusted contacts.

Security awareness training

In addition to deploying cybersecurity solutions, businesses must also focus on educating their employees about security best practices that will help them act as yet another line of defense against attackers. Regular security awareness training can help transform your employees into your biggest defensive asset.

Whitelist software and applications

Whitelisting software and applications involves indexing of approved executable files or software applications that are allowed to be available and active on an organization’s IT infrastructure. This helps businesses protect their systems and networks against harmful applications that can act as a gateway for attackers to gain unauthorized access to them.

Privileged access management

As the name suggests, privileged access management refers to the process of designating special (above standard) access or permissions to specific users within the network. This enables organizations to preserve the confidentiality of their critical data and keep their IT environment secure against potential cyberattacks.

Intrusion detection system

An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) monitors network traffic for suspicious activities and known threats, and issues alerts when such activities are discovered. It allows you to guard your business against attempts to gain unauthorized access and identify and eliminate the source of any potential intrusion. Deploying an intrusion detection system is a smart strategy to keep out potential intruders from your IT environment.

Network segmentation

Network segmentation is the process of dividing your computer network into multiple, smaller subnets or segments in order to enhance the network’s security. It helps achieve that by protecting vulnerable devices against harmful traffic and also restricting the extent to which a cyberattack can spread within the network by keeping the outbreak contained within the affected segment.

Immutable storage

Deploy a backup solution that provides long-term immutable cloud storage wherein your data cannot be deleted or modified by the source. This will reinforce the integrity of your backed-up data and prevent complete data loss in the event of a ransomware attack.

Endpoint protection

Endpoint protection, also known as endpoint security, involves the use of advanced security tools and processes to secure various endpoints like servers, workstations and mobile devices that connect to a corporate network. Focus on comprehensive endpoint protection for your business to prevent cybercriminals from stealing or altering valuable company data and applications, or from hijacking the business network, all of which can grind operations to a halt.

Protect your organization against ransomware with Kaseya

A best-in-class RMM/endpoint management solution such as Kaseya VSA can help bolster your cybersecurity posture and prevent and combat any potential ransomware attacks on your systems and networks. Kaseya VSA helps you achieve that by:

• Monitoring everything (files being encrypted, escalating privileges, attackers moving laterally through the network, foreign RMM agents being installed etc.)
• Enabling no-click user onboarding with configuration hardening (no admin privs, no scripting privs, closed ports, enforced 2FA, etc.)
• Offering automated patch management
• Automatically quarantining infected endpoints
• Monitors the status of endpoints and generates alerts for any detected ransomware events including possible file encryption/deletion or the presence of ransomware notes
• Triggers automated workflows to isolate any infected machines and then disconnect the endpoint from the network
• Users can then leverage a BCDR solution to restore the infected machine and make the network whole

Want to know more about building a strong defense against the ransomware menace with Kaseya VSA? Book your free demo now!

The post Ransomware Protection: Best Practices for Securing Your Data appeared first on Kaseya.

Remote work culture has greatly expanded the security perimeter of companies, making them more vulnerable to external threats. According to Global Workplace Analytics, 69% of U.S. employees worked remotely at the peak of the pandemic. In remote and hybrid work environments, where employees can access a company’s network through unsecured channels, the need for endpoint security has become even more pressing.

In this blog, we’ll discuss topics such as the significance of endpoint security, endpoint security controls and technologies, what sets endpoint security apart from network security and more. Let’s get started.

What is endpoint security?

An endpoint is any device that communicates and shares information with other devices and end users over a network. Endpoints include laptops, desktops, tablets, mobile devices, servers, medical devices and IoT devices. You can think of endpoints as nodes that connect with each other to form a company’s security perimeter.

Organizational security has become one of the biggest concerns in the business world today due to increasingly sophisticated and systematic cyberattacks. In light of these developments, endpoint security has become a top priority for companies.

What is an endpoint in cybersecurity?

The proliferation of smartphones and a growing number of IoT devices being used at work has increased not only the number of endpoints connecting to a company’s network, but also the type of endpoints. Statista reports that the number of mobile devices operating worldwide reached roughly 15 billion in 2021, up by 1 billion since the previous year. At 7.9 billion people worldwide, that amounts to about two mobile devices per person. Listed below are some of the most common endpoints you’ll find in any organization and how they can serve as an attack surface for a cyberattack.

Laptop: A breach, theft or loss of a company’s laptop can give unauthorized people access to company data and information. Threat actors can get their hands on company login credentials and launch a cyberattack easily while confidential information found on the laptop can be sold on the dark web for a high sum.

Mobile devices: Most people use their personal tablets and smartphones to check work email and handle simple office tasks, even when they haven’t registered their devices with the company’s IT department. Considering these devices are not secured in accordance with company policy and protocol, and that employees use them to browse the internet freely, using them for office work poses serious threats to company security.

Internet of Things (IoT) devices: IDC predicts that there will be 55.7 billion connected devices worldwide by 2025, 75% of which will be connected to an IoT platform. IoT devices are sort of mini-computers that use sensors to collect data and use machine learning to improve their functionality and performance. Because these devices connect to the internet, they are vulnerable to malware and hacking.

Switches: Switches connect multiple devices so that they can communicate and share information with each other. They do this by receiving network packages and sending them to the devices for which they are intended. Since switches serve as information highways, hacking one can lead to loss or theft of data and communication disruption between devices, which could cripple the work process.

Printers: Even printers can be exploited to launch a cyberattack. Since printers store and transmit data as part of the printing process, they become crucial data hubs. Unless you patch your printer on time and protect web access to it using the right security software, you could leave your home or office network vulnerable to data thievery and more.

Servers: Servers are necessary for almost everything including checking emails and connecting to the internet. When a server is compromised, a business can incur considerable losses. Even something as simple as a weak password or lack of an antimalware solution can compromise server access and lead to loss of critical business data and functions.

What is the difference between endpoint security and network security?

A complete cybersecurity defense requires that network and endpoint security work together since one without the other could prove insufficient against well-designed cyberattacks. The two can be considered subsets of each other.

Network security involves using tools and technologies to protect data, devices, files and information stored or shared over a network. The purpose of network security is to protect the integrity, confidentiality and availability of information, and to ensure that only authorized people have access to a certain network. By being proactive, network security detects, blocks and neutralizes threats on an ongoing basis, preventing them from reaching an endpoint.

Endpoint protection, on the other hand, entails the use of advanced security tools and processes to secure various endpoints like servers, workstations and mobile devices that connect to a corporate network.

What does endpoint security do?

When data is the new oil and competition is fierce, cyberattacks can result in businesses paying millions of dollars in ransom, or even experiencing a complete shutdown of their operations. Chicago-based CNA Financial Corp, one of the largest insurance companies in the United States, allegedly paid $40 million in March 2021 to regain control of its network following a ransomware attack. Since cyberattacks almost always have severe consequences, securing endpoints becomes extremely important because they can become gateways into a company’s network, databases, servers, and other parts of the larger IT infrastructure.

In the bigger cybersecurity plan, endpoint security is seen as protecting a company’s front line. By utilizing advanced tools, technologies and processes, companies can prevent both internal and external threats from using their endpoints as an attack surface. Since managing hundreds and thousands of remote and on-site endpoints can be overwhelming, companies use endpoint security tools to manage this laborious process.

Modern day endpoint security solutions are built on traditional antivirus solutions that detect viruses based on their signature. Advanced endpoint security platforms not only help identify viruses but also neutralize them along with a broad range of other threats like ransomware, polymorphic codes and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks that can cause severe financial and reputational damages to a company.

Why is endpoint security important?

According to IDC, 70% of breaches begin at an endpoint. Cybercriminals can take advantage of an unsecured endpoint to break into a network and steal confidential information. In addition to theft, threat actors can engage in corporate espionage and cyber extortion as well as a number of other criminal activities that could adversely affect business operations and brand reputation. Organizations can no longer ignore endpoint security, especially since it plays a pivotal role in protecting them from the increasingly dangerous threat landscape. Benefits of endpoint security include:

Securing endpoints: The primary goal of endpoint protection is to keep the data on endpoints safe and secure from theft or manipulation. This includes protecting it from both external threats and from malicious insiders.

Secure remote and diversified workforce: As companies’ security perimeters become more porous thanks to remote and hybrid work and a diversified workforce, they need a greater level of visibility and control over their endpoints. A security solution installed and managed on the endpoint itself allows administrators to keep a closer eye on any suspicious behavior, even remotely, and resolve issues as soon as they arise. Moreover, the practice of bring-your-own-device (BYOD) is becoming more commonplace. By implementing a stringent endpoint security system, IT administrators can take effective measures to secure these devices and prevent them from being exploited.

Advanced threat protection: To counter cyberattacks, one needs to do more than react to an incident. It’s about constantly monitoring for unauthorized activity and unusual device and application behavior that can point to a breach in action. Endpoint protection tools combine the functionality of various security solutions, such as antivirus, antimalware, firewalls, antispyware and intrusion prevention, into a single package to provide comprehensive protection.

Protecting identity: Endpoint security ensures that even if a device or application falls into the wrong hands, it cannot be misused. The use of multifactor authentication (MFA) and biometric identification ensures that only authorized personnel can access the company’s network. Although cybercriminals aim to crack these codes, the multiple layers of security make launching an attack difficult, allowing the company to defend itself.

How does endpoint security work?

Rather than managing their endpoints using separate products, businesses use Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPPs) that combine the functionality of several security products.

To make it easier for companies to manage multiple security components from one place, EPP platforms come equipped with vulnerability and patch management, configuration management, disk and encryption facilities, backup and disaster recovery features to name a few. In addition to monitoring execution processes and log files on various endpoints, EPP tools can analyze variances and redress incidents automatically.

Unlike traditional antivirus and antimalware tools, endpoint protection tools today combine features of both AV and AM tools as well as the capabilities of cloud computing and remote monitoring to offer comprehensive network and endpoint security. Detection of more advanced threats, such as polymorphic attacks, file-less malware and zero-day attacks, is also possible with some solutions that offer Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) capabilities.

What are endpoint security controls?

Endpoint security controls are features and functionalities that define which information, files and devices are allowed to communicate with an endpoint and to what extent. Listed below are some common endpoint security controls.

Device control: This feature controls how an external device connects and communicates with an endpoint, for example a USB drive and storage drive, so that malware coming from external devices does not harm the endpoint.

Network control: A reliable firewall is an example of network control. It examines and filters all incoming traffic for different types of malware.

Application control: This control allows only safe listed or harmless files to be downloaded or deployed on an endpoint. All blocked or harmful files are denied access to the endpoint and cannot be downloaded. The feature is ideal for securing single-purpose devices like Point-of-Sale (PoS) devices and Programmable Logic Controlled (PLC) devices that have limited capabilities.

Data control: Using technologies such as encryption, this function prevents data leaks and helps maintain the integrity of data.

Browser control: A website can host malware, including malicious JavaScript and phishing pages to steal login credentials. Browser controls allow you to set a web filter so that you can control which websites employees can access when connected to the corporate network.

User control: A user control system ensures that only authorized personnel can deploy, run or manage programs or software. As a result, endpoints can be protected from potentially harmful programs and software.

What are endpoint security technologies?

Endpoint security technologies consist of tools and solutions that can detect, respond and neutralize threats. Modern and more sophisticated endpoint protection products offer a combination of these technologies, so clients do not have to buy and manage several products. Common endpoint security technologies are:

Antivirus & Antimalware (AV/AM): Antiviruses are programs that detect and eliminate viruses on a computer system or other endpoints. An antimalware program works against all types of malware, including viruses, worms, trojans, etc.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP): DLP is the process of detecting and preventing data leaks, unauthorized destruction of sensitive information and illicit transfer of data outside the organization.

Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP): EPP solutions not only prevent malware, worms, Trojans and other intrusive software from making their way into endpoints, but also help maintain a high level of endpoint health and functionality. They provide investigation and remediation capabilities along with protection against malicious activity and file-based malware attacks to ensure a secure and robust business environment.

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): By using EDR tools, organizations can identify and respond to cyberthreats before they happen or even while they are in progress. In addition, it is effective at identifying malware with polymorphic codes that go undetected by traditional security tools. Monitoring endpoints continuously allows EDRs to collect and create high-quality databases, which are then analyzed so that the root cause of a problem can be identified, and new malware detected. EDRs also come equipped with machine learning and built-in analytics features that can detect and neutralize threats at a very early stage.

Managed Detection and Response (MDR): Companies can add an extra layer of security by signing up for MDR, which is an outsourced cybersecurity service. In this system, cybersecurity experts use advanced analytics and threat intelligence to identify and respond to cyberthreats that slip past a company’s security controls. The MDR approach provides a more comprehensive and robust cybersecurity solution. It can be useful when internal resources are insufficient or overburdened.

Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDPS): An IDPS allows organizations to detect potential cyberattacks early and respond to them automatically.

What is unified endpoint security?

Security tools work better together when they are unified. A unified endpoint security tool combines the features of EPP, EDR, antivirus/antimalware and other threat defenses into a single, centralized administration console. In other words, it’s a modern endpoint security tool that lets IT technicians manage hundreds of endpoints from a single interface.

By managing endpoints in this way, IT experts not only get a bird’s eye view of their endpoint network but can make better security decisions. With a greater understanding of the endpoints and network map, security weaknesses can be identified quickly and addressed in less time.

Secure your endpoints with Kaseya

Kaseya VSA is a unified remote monitoring and management (uRMM) platform that enables IT teams to manage core security functions from a single interface. VSA comes with features, including:

• Automated software patch management
• Deployment and management of AV/AM and EDR solutions
• Integrated backup and disaster recovery (BDR) management

But that’s not all. By leveraging Kaseya Unified Backup integration in VSA, you can reduce downtime with instant recovery, ransomware detection and automated disaster recovery testing. In addition to these integrated security functions, Kaseya VSA includes built-in product security features like two-factor authentication, data encryption and 1-click access to safeguard your IT environment. When you use Kaseya’s suite of security solutions in conjunction with VSA, you can resolve vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by cybercriminals.

Click here to get started with a VSA demo!

The post Endpoint Security Basics: What It Does, How It Works, Controls, Technologies and More appeared first on Kaseya.

The endpoint protection tools of today combine the features of antivirus (AV) and antimalware (AM) tools with the capabilities of new-age technologies like automation, cloud computing and remote monitoring, to provide comprehensive network and endpoint security.

In this blog, we’ll shed light on why endpoint security is an essential businesses requirement, especially in current times when cyberattacks are rampant and catastrophic. We’ll also talk about the benefits of endpoint protection, discuss how it works and delve into the features of a good endpoint protection solution and more. Read on.

What is endpoint protection?

Endpoints can serve as doorways for cybercriminals to gain access to a company’s network. As companies grow and connect more devices to their network, the risk of a cyberattack also increases proportionally. That’s why businesses should monitor all their endpoints for anomalies and suspicious behavior in order to contain threats before they snowball into a disaster and disrupt business activities.

Thankfully, businesses can purchase sophisticated integrated security tools that can remotely monitor execution processes and log files on various endpoints, analyze variances and remediate incidents automatically. These tools are commonly known as Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP) that combine the functionalities of various security products like antivirus and antimalware solutions, firewalls, antispyware and intrusion prevention systems into a single package. The global endpoint security market is projected to continue to grow to over $19 billion in 2025.

Furthermore, to make it easier for companies to manage multiple security components from one place, EPP platforms come equipped with vulnerability and patch management, configuration management, disk and encryption facilities, and backup and disaster recovery features to name a few. By providing comprehensive endpoint protection, a good EPP solution not only prevents malware, worms, trojans and other intrusive software from making their way into endpoints, but also helps maintain a high level of endpoint health and functionality.

What is an example of an endpoint?

Endpoints are devices that are connected to a corporate network and can communicate with it and other endpoints on that network. Endpoints include, but are not limited to, laptops, desktops, servers, workstations, tablets, smartphones, IOT devices, network switches, modems, routers, printers, POS systems and BYOD devices.

Why is endpoint protection important?

With remote work now more common and companies increasingly adopting hybrid work models, endpoints are no longer restricted to on-site locations. Employees are connecting to company servers using a variety of networks (Wi-Fi, 4G) and from various remote locations. Endpoints have become more vulnerable to cybercrime in recent years and cybercriminals have exploited vulnerabilities in them to execute malicious code and launch attacks. According to an IBM report, the average total cost of a data breach was over $1 million higher in remote-work-related incidents as compared to incidents where remote working was not a factor.

Criminals target endpoints to:

• Use them as entry and exit points to a company’s network
• Access information stored on the endpoints
• Launch DDoS attacks that overload the servers, causing businesses to halt for hours

As the security perimeter becomes more fluid, companies require greater visibility and control over their endpoints. They require tools that will allow them to monitor, oversee and secure even off-premises endpoints. Furthermore, endpoint protection is as important for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as it is for large corporations. Cybercriminals often exploit the fact that SMBs don’t consider themselves attractive cyberattack targets and hence do not implement adequate security measures, leaving their endpoints vulnerable and unprotected.

According to the Verizon 2021 Data Breach Investigations report, small organizations accounted for less than half the number of breaches as compared to large organizations in 2020. However, in 2021, the gap between the two dwindled with large organizations experiencing 307 breaches compared to 263 for small organizations. In addition, where large organizations detected breaches within “days or less” in over half the cases (55%), small organizations didn’t fare as well at 47%. Any company, no matter its size or industry, should prioritize endpoint protection.

Cybercriminals can take advantage of an unsecured endpoint to break into a network and steal confidential information. In addition to theft, threat actors can engage in corporate espionage and cyber extortion as well as a number of other criminal activities that could adversely affect business operations and brand reputation.

What are the benefits of endpoint protection?

An endpoint protection tool has several advantages that are crucial for ensuring business continuity. Companies can benefit from endpoint protection in the following ways:

Unified security management: The modern endpoint protection system does away with traditional, siloed security systems where endpoints are managed separately. In addition to being time-consuming, the old process created significant security gaps that were difficult to identify. A modern endpoint security tool allows sysadmins to manage hundreds of endpoints from a single interface. With a greater understanding of the endpoints and network map, security weaknesses can be identified quickly and addressed in less time.

Protection against key threat vectors: There are a variety of attack vectors that cybercriminals use to deliver malicious payloads into a victim’s system. Compromised credentials, phishing emails and inadequate or missing encryption are examples of attack vectors. An endpoint protection tool is effective at identifying and neutralizing a number of attack vectors.

Simplified security management: With the power of automation, endpoint protection tools can perform a variety of security tasks without requiring human intervention. Endpoint protection tools enable technicians to provision, register, manage, update and retire hundreds of endpoints at the click of a button. Not only does this make the entire security process far more efficient with a greater success rate, it also frees up the IT experts to focus on high-value, business-critical tasks.

Better business resilience: To stay competitive, businesses must implement stringent security measures, especially as workforces become more dispersed, work environments get more varied and cybercrime increases at an unprecedented rate. Cyberattacks are unavoidable. The right endpoint protection tools can help protect your data, and digital forensics incident response capabilities can also help you retrieve affected data quickly.

Business reputation: According to the Ponemon Institute, a data breach costs an average of $3.92 million. Nevertheless, the damage a breach can cause to your business or reputation is far greater. In the wake of a data breach, 60% of companies fail or go out of business.

In the current economic climate, customers and clients prefer to do business with companies that have effective security measures in place and are compliant with government-issued cybersecurity guidelines. The use of an endpoint protection tool is no longer an option but rather a necessity.

How does endpoint protection work?

A company’s security requirements vary depending on its business. An endpoint protection tool can enable companies to leverage policy settings to achieve the required level of security. For example, IT administrators can use endpoint protection tools to block access to sites that are home to malware or other malicious content. Moreover, in the event of a cyberattack, for example, when an employee downloads a malicious file from a phishing email, an endpoint solution quickly identifies the infected endpoint and isolates it from the rest of the network while attempting to resolve the issue.

With the rapid adoption of digitalization, the game-changer will be cloud-based endpoint management solutions that continuously monitor, protect and prevent threats on each endpoint. The latest behavioral heuristics features analyze files and executables, stopping threats proactively and predictively in real time. Therefore, next-generation solutions are significantly more effective at protecting endpoints than the more traditional, reactive endpoint management solutions.

Endpoint protection vs. antivirus programs

Antivirus programs use signature-based threat detection and prevention features to keep malware, such as viruses, spyware, bots and Trojans, from gaining access to a company’s network. A signature is any type of pattern or footprint left by a malicious attack. AV tools match these signatures with out-of-the-ordinary behavior such as unauthorized software execution, network access, directory access or the byte sequence of a file. The next step is neutralizing the attack if the signatures match.

The companies that make AV tools keep updating their signature databases so their solution can provide protection against a wide range of threats. However, technological advancements have made cyberattacks signatureless and fileless. This is where AV solutions fail, and endpoint protection solutions step in to save the day. An endpoint management solution essentially combines antivirus safety features along with other security functions such as sandboxing, data loss prevention, next-generation firewalls and enhanced data recovery.

Endpoint protection vs. endpoint detection and response (EDR)

EDR is the successor to EPP and AV security software. Compared to EPP, EDR takes security procedures a step further with its data analysis and forensic capabilities.

EDR tools identify and respond to cyberthreats before they occur or while they are in progress. In addition, it can detect malware with polymorphic codes that can go undetected by traditional security tools. The goal of an EDR solution is to identify active and potential security threats that aren’t detected by traditional antivirus tools, such as zero-day attacks and fileless malware attacks, and respond quickly to them.

EDRs also come with machine learning and built-in analytics tools that can identify and neutralize a threat in the early stages of an attack. This feature powers EDRs to study the behaviors of new and emerging threats and prepare for them in advance.

What should I look for in endpoint protection?

It can be confusing to know which endpoint solution to choose once you step out into the market. A reliable endpoint solution should operate in the background without interfering with your organization’s daily activities. Some features you should look for when shopping for an endpoint solution are the following

• Choose the right solution for your business 

Cloud-based solutions are modern and great for businesses that want to scale and expand quickly. These solutions are flexible to use and great for remote and hybrid environments. Alternatively, on-premises solutions are ideal for companies in finance, government, healthcare and other critical sectors to meet stringent privacy and regulatory requirements. It’s also possible to combine the two to get the best results.

• High-risk prevention rates

Your endpoint detection tools should have next-generation malware detection capabilities, so cyberattacks can be detected and blocked at the point of entry. Furthermore, prevention capabilities analyze the risks your endpoints are most vulnerable to and take stringent measures to prevent them. After all, prevention is better than cure.

• High-risk detection rates

There are sophisticated cyberattacks that can evade even the next-generation tools we use each day. You can verify the detection rate of your endpoint protection solution by looking at real-world tests conducted by reputable companies. Several vendors also offer malware samples for testing the detection capabilities of your endpoint security tool.

• Quick detection time

Detection time is just as important as detection capabilities. A good endpoint protection system should detect breaches and incidents quickly. A delay in this step could mean irreparable damage to your IT infrastructure, databases and applications, translating to loss of revenue and reputation.

• Low false positive rates

A false positive occurs when a security system raises an alert for a file that isn’t malicious. This means that the file must be investigated and studied, which will require resources. Choosing a product that keeps reporting false positives will force you to lose time tracking down nonexistent threats and possibly reinstalling and restoring systems that don’t need it at all. It’ll also lead to alert fatigue and a loss of faith in the solution.

• Automation

Organizations with no security automation experienced breach costs of $6.71 million on average in 2021 vs $2.90 million on average at organizations with fully deployed security automation according to the Cost of Data Breach Report by IBM. Automation is on everyone’s mind. This technology handles several tasks that were previously done manually, making the job easier and more error-free, while saving companies a great deal of money. Automation capabilities in endpoint protection will allow administrators to automate a variety of security tasks, giving technicians more time to concentrate on business-critical tasks.

• Sandboxing functionalities

This technique identifies and separates suspicious files from the environment and analyzes them in a quarantined environment. Essentially, sandboxing is akin to putting malicious files behind bars and preventing them from contaminating an IT network or infrastructure at large.

• Round-the-clock monitoring capabilities

Endpoint detection solutions should provide the same level of security 24/7 since cyberattacks are unpredictable and can happen at any time.

• User friendly interface

Modern endpoint solutions offer a centralized user interface that lets IT technicians manage everything from a single screen. Having said that, if the user interface of the solution is full of challenges and glitches, then it hinders the management of endpoints and consequently compromises security.

Is endpoint protection alone enough?

Many companies presume having an endpoint protection solution is sufficient. In reality, this solution meets only one aspect of your security setup. An organization must also put in place a variety of other security tools, solutions and processes to ensure complete security. A company should have data backup and recovery tools, email scanning tools to prevent phishing and even cybersecurity training sessions to prevent risks that can sometimes arise from employee error.

Here are some steps you can take to ensure IT infrastructure security:

• Conduct regular IT assessments
• Create, enforce and update security policies periodically
• Enforce a strong password policy
• Enforce strong policies around data backup
• Have a comprehensive BYOD policy
• Update your systems regularly
• Have an effective email security solution

Protect your endpoints with Kaseya

To simplify IT infrastructure management, companies need a remote management and monitoring (RMM) tool that can help them run IT administration and security tasks from the same interface.

Kaseya VSA is a unified remote monitoring and management (uRMM) platform that enables IT teams manage core IT security functions from a single console. VSA brings together a host of services, like software patch management (including OS and third-party patching), AV/AM deployment and management, and backup and disaster recovery management (servers and SaaS app data), so you can provide comprehensive protection to all your endpoints using a single platform. In addition, VSA lets you patch off-network devices even over low-bandwidth networks — an indispensable feature when securing work-from-home (WFH) employees’ computers.

By providing comprehensive security to your systems and networks with Kaseya VSA, you can protect them against ongoing cyberthreats. By integrating an RMM tool into your business, you can boost growth, protect your business and safeguard your clients.

Want to learn more? Schedule a demo of Kaseya VSA today!

The post Endpoint Protection: Why It’s Important, How It Works & What To Consider appeared first on Kaseya.

Endpoint security is the process of securing various endpoints, such as desktop computers, laptops, servers and other specialized computing hardware. These devices can either be on the corporate network, or, as is the case with remote workers, off-network and connected via the Internet.

Why is Endpoint Security Important for Remote Users?

With more companies shifting their employees to remote work due to the COVID-19 crisis, vulnerable endpoint devices can become easy points of entry for cybercriminals. Endpoints become vulnerable if the software running on them isn’t patched in a timely manner. To drive home this point, there were more than 12,000 publicly disclosed software vulnerabilities last year.

Every month on Patch Tuesday, Microsoft provides security patches to remediate vulnerabilities in its software products, from Windows to browsers and business applications. The May 2020 Patch Tuesday provided patches for 111 vulnerabilities across 12 products.

If your end users are working remotely, they’re off the corporate IT network, which means managing and keeping those devices updated could be challenging unless you have the ability to also patch those off-network devices.

Unpatched endpoints can be susceptible to cyberattacks, with hackers:

• Taking control of endpoints to launch DDOS attacks
• Using endpoints as entry and exit points to steal company and personal data
• Holding sensitive data or machines for ransom

When ransomware infects a single computer, it can quickly spread throughout the network, paralyzing your entire business.

Cyberattacks can not only shut down businesses, but also put IT leaders out of jobs. With the current crisis at hand, dealing with a cyberattack is the last thing you need on your plate.

Best Practices for Remote Endpoint Security

Organizations have, for decades, relied on antivirus/antimalware (AV/AM) software to secure endpoints. However, you need more than the traditional AV/AM solutions to secure your remote endpoints against today’s sophisticated attacks.

Here are five best practices you can implement to create a secure remote environment for your business:

Enable (Virtual Private Network) VPN for remote endpoints

Setup VPN on your remote endpoints to allow your users to access a secure link back to the office environment. You can use your endpoint management solution to deploy the VPN client, configure it, and once it’s all set up, you can monitor it and ensure that the client is up and running.

Patch your off-network devices

Automate patching of your off-network devices, monitor the patch status on all machines and track the vulnerabilities that can impact your environment. Your endpoint management tool automates patch management to ensure that patching occurs in a timely manner, without burdening the IT team.

Implement two-factor authentication (2FA)

2FA provides a second layer of authentication to access your applications by requiring users to provide a password (something they know) and a mobile app or token (something they have). 2FA is one of the easiest methods you can use to prevent cybercriminals from taking advantage of weak or stolen credentials (passwords) and hacking into your systems. Your employees’ credentials are probably out there on the Dark Web just waiting for cybercriminals to take advantage of them. Don’t let them!

Provide cybersecurity training to all your employees

With more employees now working from home than ever before, cybersecurity training is absolutely essential. As noted in our earlier blog, Top 10 Cybersecurity Threats in 2020, phishing attacks are getting more sophisticated everyday. Cybersecurity training can help prevent employees from falling victim to these kinds of attacks. This training can be accomplished through online videos and simulated phishing emails sent to all your remote workers.

Use cloud backup for your remote workforce

Your workforce may be scattered at the moment, but your IT staff and equipment doesn’t have to be. Protect end-user data without the hassle of setting up an appliance or local storage at every office location. Cloud backup is the simplest way to back up from anywhere with internet connectivity—including WiFi, so the data on remote endpoints is covered as well.

Kaseya VSA for Remote Endpoint Security

Kaseya VSA is a remote monitoring and endpoint management solution that helps you secure your systems as well as your remote, off-network endpoints.

With Kaseya VSA, you can:

• Monitor and remotely manage all devices on- and off-network
• Automate deployment, installation and updation of software on all endpoints, even over low bandwidth (e.g. Wi-Fi) networks
• Automated patch management covers Windows and macOS, as well as browsers and third-party applications
• Maintain compliance with your company security policies

Integrated with industry-leading AV/AM solutions, such as Bitdefender, Webroot, Kaspersky, and with a backup solution, such as Kaseya Unified Backup, Kaseya VSA provides you with complete endpoint protection for your business needs.

To learn more about endpoint security for a remote workforce, watch the video below:

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