Endpoint security software is quickly becoming a standard for modern businesses, especially those with cloud backups/storage. Anything stored or accessed online is potentially hackable, so taking the right precautions is a necessity no matter what industry you’re operating in.
In this guide, we’ll go over some of the most important uses for endpoint security software in the business world. Whether you’re a small startup or established corporation, this guide is for you.
1. IoT Security
As more and more devices connect to the web, the internet of things, or IoT, grows. Now, you can find home appliances, industrial machinery, and more connected to the web, downloading updates, and more. Why is this a concern? Because the more devices a home or business has connected to the web, the more opportunities there are for a hacker to exploit openings. Yes, your business could potentially be hacked via your connected industrial machines! The IoT of things needs a certain layer of protection, which you can get from endpoint security software.
These tools help close vulnerabilities in the network and provide an extra layer of security for IoT devices, since manufacturers of these devices sadly don’t prioritize security in the production process.
2. Antivirus
With viruses continually evolving and changing, some antivirus software simply can’t keep up. Endpoint security software is designed to stay up to date with the latest virus definitions, look for the viruses low-quality software can’t catch, and generally improve the overall layers of security on your system.
Anti-malware tools help keep your systems, including your IoT devices, safe from malware, ransomware, and other emerging threats. It’s critical to protect yourself against such viruses, which can cost an average of about $732,000 in damages for businesses. That’s enough to cripple or even eradicate some businesses, so it’s nothing to ignore.
3. URL Filtering
The unfortunate truth is that some users just can’t be trusted to keep their web browsing restricted to company websites and other trusted URLs. Luckily, an endpoint security system can enact URL filtering, which effectively restricts access to unapproved URLs. This prevents users from visiting potentially malicious websites and downloading viruses.
We’ve all been scrolling social media or looking at shopping pages at work, but that can actually be more dangerous than you think. Running endpoint security software helps control the sites that are visited and potentially reduces the chances of a viral attack.
4. Endpoint Threat Detection, Monitoring, and Response
When it comes to cyber threats, the earlier you can detect them, the better. You’ll have time to react when you can detect threats early, which could potentially save the company a lot of money in damages or even save the entire business as a whole. Endpoint security software provides 24/7 monitoring for threats, detects them as quickly as possible, and initiates a response based on your company’s protocols.
With this level of protection, you can feel better knowing your business is protected 24/7. Hackers are becoming more and more sophisticated, and it’s up to us as users and business owners to stay one step ahead to create a safer internet for everyone.
5. Cloud Perimeter Security
A huge percentage of businesses use the cloud in one form or another, whether it’s cloud-based company software, cloud storage, or collaboration tools. Either way, the cloud needs to be protected. Your cloud service provider is not responsible for your organization’s cloud security, so it’s up to you to create a safer, more secure cloud for the business.
Since the cloud lives on the web, there’s a chance it can be hacked. Yes, the cloud provider has its own protections in place, but you need to remember that your cloud can be accessed from within your own servers.
6. Email Gateways
Most of the traffic coming in and out of your network is going to be email, which means it’s a potential source of an attack. About 66% of malware is installed via emails! An email gateway acts as a filter, scanning incoming and outgoing mail for suspicious activity, and blocking anything that seems out of place. It’s better to block a suspicious email altogether than to depend on your employees to not open them or download attachments.
This is especially true since social engineering attacks are becoming more frequent and effective. A good social engineering attack can bring an entire organization to its knees with ransomware or other malicious software.
7. Network Access Control
Having control over who and what has access to your network is crucial to your organization’s overall cybersecurity. If you’re letting anyone and any device have guest access, you’re setting yourself up for future problems.
Endpoint security software gives you greater control over who’s accessing your network, so you can easily control access and traffic.
The Bottom Line
Does your business need endpoint security software? The short answer is yes. Endpoint security software increases your overall cybersecurity by providing antiviral tools, real-time threat monitoring and detection, access control, email gateways, and more. Take control of your company’s future by protecting against potential cybersecurity threats from within and without using endpoint security software.
