Endpoint Protection Techniques and Best Practices

In the digital age, endpoint protection has become increasingly vital for businesses to protect their assets and brand image. Endpoints, such as servers, devices, and networks, are prone to security threats that can compromise a company’s confidential data, which is why protecting and securing them is of utmost importance. This article is intended to provide insight into the techniques and best practices that can be adopted to protect endpoints from security threats and safeguard the company’s digital assets.

Introduction:

Endpoint security is an integral aspect of any cybersecurity strategy, safeguarding devices, servers, and networks from being exploited by malicious agents. By implementing protective measures for each endpoint of a network, companies can prevent cyberattacks from compromising business assets and brand image.

Endpoints such as IoT devices, servers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones should be secured and monitored, as these points of access are susceptible to various security threats. Therefore, endpoint protection platforms (EPPs) have become increasingly crucial for IT firms and are expected to grow exponentially in years to come.

Endpoint Protection Techniques:

Endpoint protection techniques consist of various types of security measures, such as internet-of-things (IoT) security, network access control (NAC), insider threat protection, URL filtering, browser isolation, cloud perimeter security, endpoint encryption, sandboxing, and secure email gateways. These techniques help safeguard devices that connect to a network, protect data resources, and monitor user access and activities.

• IoT Security: Internet of things devices such as cameras, routers, and sensors are increasingly present in business landscapes. However, these devices, without proper security measures, can pose risks and be exploited to gain access to the network.
• Network Access Control (NAC): Employing NAC helps IT teams set policies for endpoint access. Through NAC, IT teams can control access based on the users, devices, and locations.
• Insider Threat Protection: Insider threats come from employees, vendors, contractors, and other privileged third-party entities, making them an imminent risk. Insider threat protection includes techniques such as endpoint monitoring and detection, privileged access management, and continuous security audits.
• URL Filtering: URL filtering can help block access to malicious websites and phishing scams.
• Browser Isolation: This technique helps prevent attacks on endpoints via web browsing by isolating web content within a safe zone.
• Cloud Perimeter Security: Companies utilizing cloud-based architecture should secure endpoints to avoid attacks on the cloud perimeter. Cloud perimeter security helps safeguard endpoints within cloud environments.
• Endpoint Encryption: Protecting endpoint data with encryption helps secure information stored on devices and communicates through networks.
• Sandboxing: Sandboxing is a technique that runs untested code in a separated environment to prevent malicious code from infecting the endpoint.
• Secure Email Gateways: Secure email gateways help prevent threats delivered via email.##Endpoint Security Best Practices:

Endpoint security best practices include patching and securing all devices, strengthening passwords, applying the principle of least privilege, encrypting endpoints, enforcing USB port access policy, only using VPN access for remote endpoints, enforcing a safe BYOD policy, white/blacklisting apps, going with the zero-trust security model, and keeping employees security-wise. Implementing these practices can improve the cybersecurity strategy and avoid ransomware and other cyberattacks that can affect business assets and brand image.

• Applying the Principle of Least Privilege: Through following the principle of least privilege, the employees are restricted from accessing only what is essential for their role with no additional privileges or access.
• Secure BYOD Policy: Implementing BYOD policies help keep access under control, any unsecured mobile devices that access the network or confidential information poses threats.
• Going with the Zero-Trust Security Model: Zero-trust security is a model where no one is trusted to access the network no matter where they are accessing it from. It ensures that every device that requests access is fully authenticated and authorized.
• Keeping Employees Security-wise: Ensuring that employees are adequately trained to follow cybersecurity best practices like creating complex and unique passwords, not downloading suspicious emails, backing up data regularly etc.
• Strengthening Passwords: Passwords should be strong, unique and frequently changed to prevent unauthorized access.
• Enforcing USB Port Access Policy: Limiting or blocking the use of USB devices and ports can prevent unauthorized file transfers or malware infections.
• White/Blacklisting Apps: Allowing only approved applications that meet the security standards can lower risks of malware infections or data breaches.
• Only Using VPN Access for Remote Endpoints: Any remote endpoint should only access the network through a VPN connection.

Advanced Endpoint Security Tools:

Endpoint security tools have evolved to include advanced features such as endpoint detection and response (EDR) and extended detection and response (XDR). These tools must provide antivirus, encryption, and application control to secure devices while also monitoring and blocking risky activities. EDR and XDR products should include behavioural analysis and automated threat response. Key features to look for in endpoint security tools include intrusion prevention, firewall protection, and data encryption.

• Firewall Protection: Firewalls are network security devices that monitor traffic to and from the network and prevent unauthorized access by blocking traffic that does not meet specified security requirements.
• Antivirus Software: Antivirus software is an essential tool for endpoint security that relies on signature-based scanning and machine learning technologies.
• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): EDR plays an important role in endpoint security by detecting threats and malicious activities that have slipped past the initial line of defense.
• Advanced Threat Intelligence Integration: Threat intelligence integration detects and analyzes incoming threat information to provide in-depth insights and help build proactive defense mechanisms.
• Host-Based Intrusion Detection System (HIDS): HIDS is a cybersecurity technology that monitors the endpoints’ behavior to detect malicious activities, anomalous traffic or system modifications.
• Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV): NGAVs leverage artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithms, and behavioral analysis to determine the probability of a file being safe or malicious.
• Automated Threat Response: This feature allows for a quick response system minimizing any potential damage caused by any endpoint incidents in near real-time.
• Managed Threat Hunting: Managed threat hunting is a proactive approach to endpoint security that seeks out potential threats that have evaded traditional endpoint protection measures.
• Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP): Endpoint Protection Platforms are integrated solutions that have endpoint protection components such as antivirus software, intrusion prevention and firewall protection.
• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): EDR helps with managing the detection of threats and malicious activity on endpoints.
• Data Loss Prevention: The process of identifying, monitoring, and protecting sensitive data on endpoints to prevent data loss.

Endpoints are critical in any business’s operation, and we have seen how cybersecurity has become increasingly essential in an organization’s success. By examining endpoint protection techniques, endpoint security best practices, and advanced endpoint security tools available, we can enable our businesses to secure their assets effectively. It is critical that organizations have proper endpoint security in place to safeguard themselves and their users from potential cyber threats. Implementation and managing these practices are vital to a successful cybersecurity posture. We can upgrade our endpoint security practices by partnering with cybersecurity providers such as Fortinet and Heimdal.