6 Tips For Efficient Endpoint Management

As businesses today are becoming more mobile than ever, with intermittent lockdowns across the globe, employees everywhere are getting used to working from home and connecting to the internal networks provided by the business through endpoints anywhere they wish.

With that said, efficient Endpoint Management has been a priority for any business serious about the security of their information. 

What Is An Endpoint?

An endpoint is any device that can send and/or receive communications remotely through the network it is connected to.

These are devices used by employees to gain access to their respective businesses network from anywhere they are planning to work.

Common examples of endpoint devices include:

• Desktops
• Smartphones
• Laptops
• Servers

Endpoints are usually one of the most vulnerable areas that most cyber criminals gain access to and because of that, utmost security must always be in place.

What Is Endpoint Management?

Endpoint management is the practice of authenticating the access rights of any endpoint device to a network.

This is done by implementing security policies that monitor and prevent internal and external threats from accessing the system.

Simply put, it’s the encryption and security surrounding your business’s internal network to safeguard against intrusion. 

For more inquiries into the nature of endpoint management, there are plenty of Information Technology (IT) companies in your area that can provide services for IT Support Melbourne.

This article will share a few tips that will help increase the efficiency of the endpoint management system used by your business.

1. Identify All Endpoints

The first step to efficient management of endpoints is to identify them and evaluate vulnerabilities. They need to be cataloged and approved by the business beforehand.

Network access should only be allowed through the devices that have been approved.

Give priority to the endpoints that are considered the most sensitive. Don’t make the mistake of overlooking any endpoints.

For instance, a printer or a scanner that is connected to the network can also be an opportunity for hackers to exploit.

A policy needs to be set up to determine the level of support the IT department can offer to the staff.

The policy should have a list of devices that can be used to access the network, on the other hand, applications and virtual private networks that are proven unsafe should also be listed as a precaution. 

In addition, some companies opt to provide laptops and smartphones to employees to better monitor all endpoints.

2. Create Access Policies

Most businesses don’t have a basic system for data storage and access. Any business that’s serious about securing its information, must define its data classification levels. 

For example, some data can be publicly accessed, while some should be restricted.

In some cases, a critical access level is needed depending on the level of sensitivity some information has, such as personal details, financial information.

An efficient way of doing this is to implement an access policy that defines which level of information can an employee access.

This can be implemented with the use authentication procedures such as two-factor authentication.

These protocols should be able to notify the person in charge about security breaches in real-time.

3. Password Security

Most devices provided and connected to a network have default settings and passwords, which makes them a susceptible target for hackers.

Change passwords regularly and be wary of downloaded content from the internet, to limit this vulnerability. 

Additionally, it’s also vital to keep up with current software updates as well as invest in continually upgrading the hardware and firmware of your systems.

A pivotal reason for all these updates is to curb the escalating number of cybercriminal activity. 

4. Encrypt Your Data

All sensitive and restricted data that is stored by the business should be encrypted in the cloud. Depending on your objectives, you can encrypt certain files or the whole hard drive.

In addition, data in transit must be prioritized and secured, also, update online communication to secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) protocols, and encrypt your emails.

Practice accessing remote desktops through Virtual Private Networks (VPN).

5. Advanced Endpoint Protection

Average solutions for endpoint protection like firewalls and antivirus programs have been around for a long time.

Even though antivirus programs excel in catching these threats, they still struggle to detect advanced malware. 

Firewalls also have their share of weaknesses, that’s why advanced endpoint protection tools use automation to counter sophisticated malware and fend off phishing.

6. Create Awareness

Everyone in the organization must be educated on the dangers of cyber threats and how to avoid being hacked.

Basic security practices need to become a part of the standard protocol in the business. They need to learn to use secure passwords and know how to see past phishing scams.

Conclusion

While the cycle of cyber-attacks is never-ending and increased security may seem tediously overwhelming, companies are now becoming more aware of the importance of security training and cautionary measures.

If companies continue to improve their security technology and enhance in training their users, there will surely be a decrease in the attacks made on their business.

The above tips will help you level up your endpoint management and keep you safer from cyber threats.