Mobile devices are an essential part of today’s remote and hybrid work models. Employees need the ability to access IT resources using their mobile devices so they can communicate, collaborate and remain productive.
However, mobile devices are also prime targets of hackers. In a 2023 study by Cyber Risk Alliance Business Intelligence (CRABI), 67 percent of IT leaders said that one or more of their organization’s endpoints had been compromised in the past year. Given that 63 percent had more than 1,000 endpoints accessing the network, there’s a substantial degree of risk.
Endpoint security was relatively straightforward when most users worked inside the secure network perimeter. Now, endpoint devices access corporate IT resources from anywhere, making them easy targets for cybercriminals. Without effective endpoint security, organizations become victims of account takeovers, malware infections, data theft and advanced persistent threats (APTs). Organizations need a comprehensive strategy for protecting against these threats.
Getting the Right Tools
The CRABI study found that most organizations have taken steps to secure their email systems. Seventy percent also encrypt endpoints. However, only about half have implemented automated endpoint management tools, data loss prevention (DLP) or network access controls (NACs). Given that unauthorized access and mobile device management (MDM) were among the top concerns of those surveyed, organizations should prioritize investments in these areas.
Many IT teams use a different set of tools to manage various types of devices. That makes it difficult to ensure that all devices are kept up to date and meet minimum security requirements. An effective MDM tool allows organizations to enforce security policies and push out updates and malware protection.
DLP protects sensitive data by preventing users from taking risks. For example, DLP might prevent users from emailing a sensitive file or downloading it to their device’s local drive. NAC solutions enable organizations to control which users and devices can access corporate IT assets based on device configuration, authentication, user identity and other criteria.
Beyond Antivirus
In the past, endpoint protection focused primarily on antivirus. However, antivirus alone is not sufficient to protect mobile devices. Organizations need endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools that continuously monitor endpoints to detect and analyze suspicious activity. Continuous monitoring enables EDR tools to identify threats that get past initial defenses as well as APTs.
Best-in-class EDR solutions can identify attacks involving multiple threats and block them as soon as they are detected. Built-in threat hunting capabilities enable organizations to transition from a reactive to a proactive security posture. Information about anomalies is captured and stored in a centralized database, giving IT teams the visibility needed to investigate incidents and proactively look for threats.
However, IT alone cannot ensure endpoint security. In the CRABI study, 50 percent of IT leaders cited employee negligence, carelessness or oversight as the top impediment to endpoint security. An effective endpoint security strategy requires protection against poor user behaviors.
Protecting Users from Themselves
Users commonly fail to follow password best practices or keep their devices up to date. Best-in-class EDR tools enable IT to set and enforce strong password policies and ensure that devices accessing the network meet minimum security requirements. Organizations should also implement multifactor authentication (MFA) across as many devices and services as possible to reduce the risk of account takeover attacks.
Security awareness training also plays a key role in protecting endpoints. Users should receive regular training in security basics, common threats and company policies. They should also learn how to identify phishing attacks and how to report suspicious activity.
Verteks offers end-to-end security services with an emphasis on protecting against the most common threats impacting Florida businesses and government agencies. We also provide around-the-clock monitoring and management, enabling us to rapidly identify and respond to attacks. Let us help you protect your mobile devices to reduce the risk of a potentially devastating security breach.
