Every connected device that a business uses can act as a potential entry point for cyber attackers. So, as businesses continue to grow more reliant on technology to operate and introduce more endpoints, the risks of cyber threats also increase. That’s why businesses must take proactive measures to protect their endpoints, the devices that connect to their networks.
To help you better understand and leverage endpoint security services, this article covers:
- What is Endpoint Security as a Service?
- How Can Endpoint Security Services Help Your Business?
- Components of Endpoint Security as a Service
- How to Choose an Endpoint Security as a Service Provider
- Best Practices for Using Endpoint Security Services
What is Endpoint Security as a Service?
Endpoint Security as a Service (ESaaS) refers to cloud-based cybersecurity solutions that provide a comprehensive approach to protecting endpoints. It offers businesses access to advanced technology and expertise without needing an in-house IT team. This makes it an attractive option for small and medium-sized businesses that need scalable cybersecurity solutions.
How Can Endpoint Security Services Help Your Business?
Outsourcing endpoint security through an endpoint protection platform allows businesses to optimize the efficiency of their endpoint security. Here are five key ways endpoint security services can help your business:
- Customize your endpoint protection: ESaaS providers tailor their platforms to your specific needs. Your business can choose the level of protection that best fits your risk tolerance and the risk factors of your endpoints.
- Scale your security alongside your business: As a cloud-based solution, ESaaS can scale up and down based on your current business needs. This allows you to increase your security posture as your risks grow with your business.
- Reduce your IT overhead: By outsourcing endpoint security to a third-party provider, you remove the hardware, software, and personnel overhead required to secure endpoints.
- Access the expertise and support you need: Your business can access the team of cybersecurity experts providing ESaaS without the need to hire your own internal IT team. This team can help you address any of your issues or concerns related to endpoint security.
- Continuous monitoring and management: Securing your endpoints with a cloud-based platform provides continuous monitoring and management to ensure your business always remains protected from the latest threats.
Components of Endpoint Security as a Service
Although every endpoint security service differs in the technology used and service offerings, they all typically contain four key components.
Antivirus and Antimalware
Every endpoint protection platform includes some form of virus and malware protection. This protects endpoints against a wide range of malicious software, including viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. The software scans files, emails, and other digital content to detect and eliminate any potential threats. It typically includes both signature-based and behavior-based detection methods to detect both known and unknown threats.
Intrusion Detection and Prevention
Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) are designed to identify and prevent unauthorized access to endpoints. These systems monitor network traffic, analyze it, and alert security teams of any suspicious activity. IDPS can detect network-based and host-based attacks, including attempts to exploit software vulnerabilities, brute-force login attempts, and denial-of-service attacks.
Encryption
To protect sensitive data stored on endpoints, such as passwords, financial information, and other confidential data, endpoint security solutions use encryption. It can also protect data in transit, such as emails or data transferred between endpoints. This protects sensitive data even if compromised because once data becomes encrypted, a key is required to read the data.
Threat Detection
Threat detection is the process of identifying and mitigating potential security threats on endpoints. This includes monitoring for anomalous behavior, such as unusual file access or network traffic, and using machine learning algorithms to detect and respond to new and emerging threats. These tools provide real-time alerts and actionable insights so security teams can respond to potential threats quickly.
How to Choose an Endpoint Security as a Service Provider
With so many ESaaS providers on the market, it can be challenging to choose the right one. But, with a thorough evaluation of a provider’s capabilities and offerings, you can find an ideal fit for your business needs. When choosing a provider, consider the following four factors:
- Reputation and track record: Look for providers with a strong reputation for delivering reliable and effective security solutions. You can research their track record by reading online reviews, case studies, and testimonials from other clients.
- Features and capabilities: Consider the types of devices and operating systems your organization uses, as well as the level of security required to protect your sensitive data. Look for providers that offer robust endpoint protection capabilities, including malware detection and removal, real-time threat detection, and device encryption.
- Ease of use and integration: Another important factor to consider when choosing an ESaaS provider is the ease of use and integration. You want a provider whose solutions are easy to deploy, manage, and integrate with your existing infrastructure. Look for providers that offer user-friendly dashboards, simple deployment options, and seamless integration with other security solutions.
- Customer support and service level agreement (SLA): Finally, it’s essential to choose an ESaaS provider that offers excellent customer support and clear service level agreements (SLAs). Your provider should offer 24/7 support, with dedicated teams available to help you resolve any security issues quickly. Additionally, ensure that their SLAs match your organization’s needs.
Best Practices for Using Endpoint Security Services
The efforts of your organization can impact the success of your ESaaS solution. But, with some upfront work and a continuous effort toward security, your organization can optimize the effectiveness of your chosen ESaaS.
Initially, your organization must carefully consider its security needs when choosing an ESaaS provider. This includes evaluating factors such as device types and necessary technical support.
Once you choose a provider, prioritizing employee education and training can reduce the risk of security breaches caused by human error. You can provide resources such as password managers and regularly train employees on security best practices to help prevent incidents such as phishing attacks and weak passwords.
Along with training your employees, regularly monitoring and updating your software is crucial for maintaining strong endpoint security. This involves monitoring for threats and vulnerabilities and ensuring all devices and software are up to date with the latest security patches.
Conclusion
Outsourcing endpoint security through an ESaaS provider allows businesses to focus on their core strengths while leaving cybersecurity to the experts. It gives small and medium-sized businesses access to industry-leading security experts without the overhead of an internal IT team. So, are you ready to start leveraging endpoint security services to improve the security posture of your organization? Contact Clearnetwork today to see how our managed CrowdStrike service can keep your organization secure.