Today’s businesses require numerous types of endpoint devices, from giant server stacks to laptops to smartphones. And as an increasing number of employees work remotely or use their own personal devices for work, it’s more important than ever to ensure that each device has security that can shield end users and the business itself from cyberattacks and security breaches. That’s where the notion of endpoint security management comes in.
What is Endpoint Security Management
The more endpoint devices connect to a corporate network, the more avenues cybercriminals have to infiltrate that network. Endpoint security management is a software approach, typically centralized, that enables network administrators to identify and manage end users’ device access—even employees’ personal devices—over the corporate network.
Examples of endpoint security management include, but are not limited to:
- Managed antivirus software
- Web filtering
- Application/patch management
- Network access control and “need to know”
- Virtual private network (VPN) software
- Data and email encryption
Admins may set access permissions so that devices that don’t comply with the organization’s security policy, such as Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or those belonging to guests (such as contractors, customers, staff’s friends and family, etc.), have limited network access. They can also set policies so that end users only have access to areas of the network that they need to fulfill their job responsibilities (i.e. “need to know.”) In this way, they help ensure that, no matter how many devices connect to the network, the organization stays safe from security threats.
How do Endpoint Security Systems Work?
Endpoint security applications allow administrators to control security for corporate endpoints using policy settings, depending on the types of protection or web access employees and systems require. For example, admins should always ensure that every device that connects to the network uses up-to-date antivirus software and has the latest patches and updates for necessary applications, and they should also block access to websites known to distribute malware and other malicious content. Read more about endpoint security and how it works here.
Why is Endpoint Security Management Important?
All businesses, regardless of size, need endpoint security, which means they also need a centralized means of managing that security. Cybercriminals never stop working on new ways to take advantage of end users, sneak around defenses, launch malware, and steal data or hold it for ransom.
Because so many more employees work remotely, either because they are based off-site or because travel is a large component of their work, they need to be able to access corporate data from anywhere. Without adequate device security, an employee catching up on work using the public WiFi in a coffee shop or airport could unwittingly give criminals access to sensitive corporate data, or even the network itself. Effective endpoint protection is crucial to make sure your employees (and your business) are safe no matter where they are or what device they’re using while working.
The Webroot Approach to Endpoint Security Management
To help businesses protect endpoint devices wherever they go, we offer Webroot® Business Endpoint Protection. This next-generation, cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution offers a variety of security and operational benefits, including:
- Real-time protection from threats across email, browsers, files, URLs, ads, apps, and more
- An online management console for full visibility and control over endpoints, anywhere, anytime
- Compatibility with Windows® computers and servers, MacOS® devices, virtualization, terminal server, and Citrix® environments
- Application white- and blacklisting so admins have direct control over the apps that can execute
- Identity and privacy shields to stop attacks like DNS poisoning, keystroke logging, screen grabbing, cookie scraping, clipboard grabbing, and browser and session hijacking
Administrators using Webroot Business Endpoint Protection gain full visibility into device security. They can assign policies, run remote commands, and customize reports, so they always have the information they need to make critical security decisions.
To learn how Webroot Business Endpoint Protection can benefit your business, contact us, or start a free 30-day trial.
Our trials include the full feature set, are fast and easy to deploy, and won’t conflict with other security software (so there’s no need to uninstall your current protection to take us for a spin.)
