If you are a small business owner, you probably already know how important cybersecurity is in regards to safeguarding your private network. From establishing strong cyber defenses to educating employees on how to be on guard against cyber criminals, protecting your company’s and clients’ information is critical. One less-talked-about but extremely important aspect of cybersecurity is endpoint management. Today we are going to dive into all things endpoint management, from what it is to why you need it to how you can get it.
What is an Endpoint?
Before we get into the details of endpoint management, we need to define what an endpoint is. You most likely use an endpoint every day without knowing it. For example, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices are all endpoints, and there are many other devices that fit within the category. More specifically, an endpoint is any device that connects to a network from within or outside its firewall. So within your company, an endpoint is any device that connects to your network—this might include printers, scanners, computers, cameras, and more.
Endpoints: Ideal Access Points for Cybercriminals
Now that you know what endpoints are, you might be asking why they would need to be managed. Here’s why: every endpoint is a wide open door for cybercriminals. The more endpoints a company’s network has, the more opportunities criminals have to penetrate that network. It might seem like this isn’t an issue for small businesses, but even the smallest businesses can have a large number of endpoints, depending on how many devices are connecting to your network. Securing those endpoints can go a long way in protecting your data.
The more endpoints a network has, the more susceptible that network is to hacking.
Still not convinced that endpoints can leave your network vulnerable? Check out these alarming cybersecurity statistics.
- From 2020 to 2021, security attacks against corporate networks increased 50%. Furthermore, the number of attacks per company increased from 206 to 270 year over year.
- In 2019, 68% of organizations were victims of endpoint attacks.
- Cybercriminals can break into 93% of company networks.
- Nearly 15% of businesses do not have any type of endpoint security strategy.
- SIM swapping attacks on mobile endpoints have doubled year-on-year since 2016
- The cost of a successful endpoint attack has increased from 7.1 million dollars to 8.94 million.
Are you interested in more cybersecurity statistics? Read our blog post 7 Cybersecurity Statistics Every Small Business Needs to Know in 2022.
As you can see, cybercrime is a real threat to every business, which is why it is so critical that businesses do everything they can to secure their network and devices—before something goes wrong.
What is Endpoint Management?
This is where endpoint management comes in. Endpoint management is a cybersecurity process that secures all of the endpoints within your network so that criminals cannot easily hack into it. You can think of it as putting new locks on the doors, rather than leaving them wide open for intruders.
In practice, a team of IT professionals and/or network administrators typically make up the team that is responsible for managing endpoint security. Oftentimes, this team utilizes an endpoint security software to identify potential threats. But a management team can do much more than an endpoint security software can do on its own. Take a look at just some of the things management teams do.
- Grant network access to approved devices/endpoints
- Use custom dashboards to oversee all network devices and their activity
- Establish cybersecurity defenses to keep unwanted devices off of the network
- Oversee routine patch management
- Eliminate any actual or perceived vulnerabilities
Endpoint management is a full-time job, and it will only become more critical as the business world becomes more connected. For example, the increase in remote working has added yet another layer to endpoint security, with more employees accessing company information from personal networks. Years ago, endpoint management might have been a recommended but optional layer of security for small businesses; today it is a necessity.
Benefits of Endpoint Management
We’ve already touched on some benefits of endpoint management, such as strengthened defenses against cybercriminals. Companies that implement endpoint security practices reap a variety of benefits.
- Faster response to security threats
- Maximized security
- Rapid deployment of the latest security features and technology
- Enhanced security communication across the organization
- Saved money, due to increased up time
- Pathway to future enhancements and automation
Endpoint Management in Winchester, VA
Does your small business have endpoints that are providing easy network access to cybercriminals? Don’t leave your network vulnerable to hackers! Our team of engineers at Cardinal can help keep your network safe and secure with our comprehensive endpoint management solutions. Contact us today to learn more about endpoint management and how it can fit within your organization’s cybersecurity strategy.