According to the Allianz Risk Barometer, cyber risks will be among the greatest challenges businesses will face in 2022. Ransomware, data breaches, and IT outages are all considered among the most dangerous risks. The move towards remote and hybrid workspaces has created a larger attack surface. Furthermore, due to the rise of non-traditional devices like IoT and edge computing, security teams are faced with an array of new endpoint security challenges.
1. Unified Threat Management (UTM)
In 2022, endpoint security will face new obstacles as the attack surface widens due to the growth of mobile devices and operational technology (OT) that has traditionally been isolated from the Internet. Taken together, these trends present a myriad of risks and vulnerabilities that require a comprehensive, multi-layered approach for safeguarding network resources.
One solution to this challenge is a Unified Threat Management (UTM) system, which integrates various network security technologies into one appliance. UTM consolidates next-generation firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), antivirus, content filtering, virtual private networks (VPNs) and other essential tools into an efficient centralized framework capable of handling all threats simultaneously.
UTM systems offer a variety of basic capabilities, from firewall and VPN protection to application control and bandwidth management. UTM systems also help businesses streamline their network infrastructure while decreasing costs by monitoring and managing security functions.
UTM security also includes malware inspection. Malware refers to software programs that can infiltrate networks or IT systems and cause harm on computers. A UTM will scan for and detect known malware, blocking it from invading your network traffic streams before any harm can be done.
Unified Threat Management solutions can protect against a range of threats, such as ransomware and fileless malware/living off the land (LoTL) attacks. These malware uses zero day exploits to gain unauthorized control over computers and other devices; so an effective UTM solution is essential in stopping them from invading your network. Lastly, UTM solutions help organizations protect their data from data breaches and other security incidents by ensuring files are stored safely on servers or cloud locations.
2. Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
As the attack surface grows, security teams are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up. From employees’ personal mobile devices and wearables to small IoT appliances, businesses now have more connected endpoints than ever before.
Due to the proliferation of devices, signature-based defenses such as firewalls and anti-virus solutions have become ineffective against many threats. This is especially true for newer and emerging threats like Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) and fileless malware, which cannot be detected by traditional means.
Detecting these threats is essential for keeping your business secure. EDR tools do this by continuously monitoring endpoint activity and notifying security administrators and IT teams when there is any indication of suspicious or malicious activity.
Another key benefit of EDR systems is that they offer comprehensive visibility into various endpoints within an organization. This gives security analysts a comprehensive picture of potential threats and allows them to detect patterns which could bring down your network.
When an incident occurs, EDR solutions can act quickly and automatically to contain the attack and protect your network. Early detection and containment of an attack are vital as it prevents it from escalating further.
Quickly and accurately assessing the context of an alert allows security analysts to decide if it is a false positive or a real threat. This is essential for optimizing team productivity while decreasing false positives your organization experiences.
EDR systems can simplify compliance by providing an auditable record of all endpoint activity. This enables organizations to detect and remediate any security or compliance issues, decreasing risk and streamlining compliance reporting.
3. Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
In 2022, endpoint security will face new obstacles as the attack surface grows and organizations transition to the cloud-based world. Organizations must protect sensitive information from unauthorized access, exfiltration, leakage and data loss due to user errors.
Data breaches are typically external attacks, however internal leaks are also on the rise. Data loss prevention (DLP) can help minimize these risks by blocking data from leaving a network and detecting and eliminating malicious or negligent behavior that could expose sensitive information.
Realizing data loss prevention success requires continual program enhancement and the commitment of business leaders. Define key performance indicators and report on them regularly so stakeholders can recognize the significance of DLP as a business strategy.
Modern Data Loss Prevention tools must identify and classify data to control access to sensitive information. Although this can be a laborious, time-consuming process, the end results are worth all the effort.
Security teams have long categorised data and established rules, but modern software utilizes machine learning to automatically learn the most effective approach for detection and blocking. This enables DLP (Data Loss Prevention) to adapt according to changing business needs while improving existing strategies.
DLP tools monitor endpoint devices and cloud/ enterprise network traffic to detect and filter sensitive data. They provide reporting that meets compliance and audit requirements as well as alert forensics teams about anomalous behaviors.
DLP solutions are an integral component of a comprehensive security strategy that should include EDR and UTM solutions. A unified approach to endpoint and data management can reduce cost, boost compliance, and bolster overall cyberdefenses. However, DLP must be part of an overall program that includes user education, patch management, as well as automated security monitoring – all within one centralized location for maximum effectiveness.
4. Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
As more devices connect to the network, the attack surface for traditional endpoint security solutions becomes increasingly complex. From connected IoT devices for office management and supply chain control to wearables that track equipment usage and small healthcare-related IoT appliances, the number of potential attack surfaces continues to expand exponentially.
Organizations must invest in a comprehensive solution that addresses all types of endpoints and devices. This will reduce the risks associated with each device, enabling them to use just one effective security solution across their entire network.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is an essential element of a comprehensive endpoint security strategy, helping safeguard sensitive business information from being lost or misplaced. Additionally, DLP protects against various threats like ransomware, malware and unauthorized access to files on corporate networks.
DLP provides insight into data across networks, cloud applications and email. It monitors activities, detects anomalies and prioritizes data loss events to quickly detect threats before they cause major harm to your organization.
A Data Loss Prevention (DLP) program can be implemented in various ways, such as as a stand-in solution or within an overall security strategy. DLP helps protect against various data threats like hackers and negligent employees.
Additionally, it assists you with meeting compliance regulations such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS and GDPR by tracking at-rest and in-transit data across your organization. Furthermore, it can identify if data is being misused inappropriately or if your business is violating regulatory rules; this will enable the implementation of data handling policies and remediation procedures.
5. Mobile Device Management (MDM)
The widespread adoption of mobile devices in the workplace has exponentially increased the potential risk for cybersecurity breaches. With employees using their personal devices for work-related tasks, it’s essential to safeguard these devices from outside threats as well as insider attacks.
Mobile Device Management (MDM) is a software-based platform designed to assist businesses monitor, manage and secure their fleets of mobile devices. It can be utilized for enforcing policies, tracking device location, managing updates/configurations – you name it!
MDM also helps ensure all company- and employee-owned devices are shielded against security threats such as unauthorized use, data loss, malware infections and theft.
IT admins can centrally control and monitor all device activities through a central server, enabling them to quickly deploy new devices, configure them remotely, and handle updates.
Furthermore, MDM can be integrated with other enterprise software to create a centralized system for managing all a business’s endpoints. This unified approach helps reduce costs and boost productivity at the same time.
MDM not only safeguards corporate assets against malicious activity, but it also gives users convenient access to vital information. This makes it simpler for employees to communicate and collaborate with colleagues while on-the-go.
The mobile environment is becoming more intricate as employees increasingly work from home, offices and remote field locations. To ensure the success of a business, it’s essential to monitor all devices used for operational purposes – laptops, tablets, smartphones, IoT hardware as well as network routers and switches.
MDM solutions can help prevent malware spread through phishing schemes, password theft and other attacks. MDM solutions may also be combined with antimalware technologies to detect and stop malicious software before it has a chance to compromise sensitive corporate data.
