Endpoint security is the practice of securing endpoints or entry points of end-user devices such as desktops, laptops, and mobile devices from being exploited by malicious actors and campaigns. Endpoint security systems protect these endpoints on a network or in the cloud from cybersecurity threats. Endpoint security has evolved from traditional antivirus software to providing comprehensive protection from sophisticated malware and evolving zero-day threats. Show
Organizations of all sizes are at risk from nation-states, hacktivists, organized crime, and malicious and accidental insider threats. Endpoint security is often seen as cybersecurity's frontline, and represents one of the first places organizations look to secure their enterprise networks. As the volume and sophistication of cybersecurity threats have steadily grown, so has the need for more advanced endpoint security solutions. Today’s endpoint protection systems are designed to quickly detect, analyze, block, and contain attacks in progress. To do this, they need to collaborate with each other and with other security technologies to give administrators visibility into advanced threats to speed detection and remediation response times. Why endpoint security is importantAn endpoint protection platform is a vital part of enterprise cybersecurity for several reasons. First of all, in today’s business world, data is the most valuable asset of a company —and to lose that data, or access to that data, could put the entire business at risk of insolvency. Businesses have also had to contend with not only a growing number of endpoints, but also a rise in the number of types of endpoints. These factors make enterprise endpoint security more difficult on their own, but they’re compounded by remote work and BYOD policies—which make perimeter security increasingly insufficient and create vulnerabilities. The threat landscape is becoming more complicated, as well: Hackers are always coming up with new ways to gain access, steal information or manipulate employees into giving out sensitive information. Add in the opportunity, cost of reallocating resources from business goals to addressing threats, the reputational cost of a large-scale breach, and the actual financial cost of compliance violations, and it’s easy to see why endpoint protection platforms have become regarded as must-haves in terms of securing modern enterprises. How endpoint protection worksEndpoint security is the practice of safeguarding the data and workflows associated with the individual devices that connect to your network. Endpoint protection platforms (EPP) work by examining files as they enter the network. Modern EPPs harness the power of the cloud to hold an ever-growing database of threat information, freeing endpoints of the bloat associated with storing all this information locally and the maintenance required to keep these databases up to date. Accessing this data in the cloud also allows for greater speed and scalability. The EPP provides system administrators a centralized console, which is installed on a network gateway or server and allows cybersecurity professionals to control security for each device remotely. The client software is then assigned to each endpoint—it can either be delivered as a SaaS and managed remotely, or it can be installed directly on the device. Once the endpoint has been set up, the client software can push updates to the endpoints when necessary, authenticate log-in attempts from each device, and administer corporate policies from one location. EPPs secure endpoints through application control—which blocks the use of applications that are unsafe or unauthorized—and through encryption, which helps prevent data loss. When the EPP is set up, it can quickly detect malware and other threats. Some solutions also include an Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) component. EDR capabilities allow for the detection of more advanced threats, such as polymorphic attacks, fileless malware, and zero-day attacks. By employing continuous monitoring, the EDR solution can offer better visibility and a variety of response options. EPP solutions are available in on-premises or cloud based models. While cloud- based products are more scalable and can more easily integrate with your current architecture, certain regulatory/compliance rules may require on-premises security. What’s considered an endpoint?Endpoints can range from the more commonly thought of devices such as:
If a device is connected to a network, it is considered an endpoint. With the growing popularity of BYOD (bring your own device) and IoT (Internet of Things), the number of individual devices connected to an organization's network can quickly reach into the tens (and hundreds) of thousands. Because they are entry points for threats and malware, endpoints (especially mobile and remote devices) are a favorite target of adversaries. Mobile endpoint devices have become much more than just Android devices and iPhones—think of the latest wearable watches, smart devices, voice-controlled digital assistants, and other IoT-enabled smart devices. We now have network-connected sensors in our cars, airplanes, hospitals, and even on the drills of oil rigs. As the different types of endpoints have evolved and expanded, the security solutions that protect them have also had to adapt. Endpoint security componentsTypically, endpoint security software will include these key components:
Endpoint protection platforms vs. traditional antivirusEndpoint protection platforms (EPP) and traditional antivirus solutions differ in some key ways.
Learn more about the differences between legacy antivirus solutions and modern Endpoint Protection Platforms. How enterprise endpoint protection differs from consumer endpoint protectionEnterprise Endpoint Security ProtectionConsumer Endpoint Security ProtectionConsumer Endpoint Security Protection Required to manage just a small number of single-user endpoints Better at managing diverse collections of endpoints Required to manage just a small number of single-user endpoints Central management hub software Endpoints individually set up and configured Remote administration capabilities Rarely requires remote management Configures endpoint protection on devices remotely Configures endpoint protection directly to device Deploys patches to all relevant endpoints User enables automatic updates for each device Requires modified permissions Uses administrative permissions Ability to monitor employee devices, activity, and behavior Activity and behavior limited to sole user Advanced endpoint security solutionsTrellix offers a full range of enterprise solutions that combine powerful endpoint protection with efficient endpoint management. Trellix Endpoint Security combines established capabilities such as firewall, reputation, and heuristics with cutting-edge machine learning and containment, along with endpoint detection and response (EDR) into a single platform agent, with a single management console. The resulting integrated endpoint protection platform keeps users productive and connected while stopping zero-day malware, like ransomware, before it can infect the first endpoint. More Endpoint Security ArticlesWhich of the following is a network security service that filters malware from user side internet connections?Which of the following is a network security service that filters malware from user-side internet connections using different techniques? Secure web gateway (*SWGs use URL filtering, application control, data loss prevention, HTTPS inspections, and antivirus protection.)
Which type of firewall protects against packets coming from certain IP addresses quizlet?Packet-filtering firewalls work on Layer 3. They are considered to be first-generation firewalls. These firewalls check a packet's source and destination address, protocol, and destination ports. They can protect against packets coming from certain IP addresses.
Which of the following is an exploit in which malware allows the virtual OS to interact directly with the hypervisor?Virtual machine escape is an exploit in which the attacker runs code on a VM that allows an operating system running within it to break out and interact directly with the hypervisor. Such an exploit could give the attacker access to the host operating system and all other virtual machines (VMs) running on that host.
Which of the following is a network device that is deployed in the cloud to protect against unwanted access to a private network?Firewall defined
A firewall is a security device — computer hardware or software — that can help protect your network by filtering traffic and blocking outsiders from gaining unauthorized access to the private data on your computer.
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