The Purpose of Endpoint Security Management
Endpoint security management systems are intended to limit the risk posed to an organization by endpoints such as laptops and mobile devices. These devices may be non-compliant with corporate security policies or infected with malware.
Endpoint management systems enforce endpoint security policies at scale. Administrators can define rules for particular groups, types of devices, and endpoints. This makes it possible to effectively apply security policies for endpoints despite the rapid growth and diversification of corporate endpoints.
The Importance of Endpoint Security Management
More than ever, employees are working from devices that pose a risk to the security of corporate endpoints and data. If devices are personally owned by employees, they may not comply with corporate security policies. Any endpoint that connects to unsecured networks or is used to browse the Internet or check email may be exposed to malware.
As corporate networks grow larger and more complex, managing endpoint security grows more difficult as well. With many different types of devices within the corporate network, individually defining and enforcing security policies is an unscalable solution.
Endpoint security management solutions are vital to endpoint security because they protect the organization from security threats that might otherwise bypass perimeter-based defenses. Any device that wishes to connect to the protected internal network is evaluated for potential risk before being permitted to do so.
Features and Benefits of Endpoint Security Management Platforms
Endpoint management solutions centrally manage access to corporate resources and enforcement of endpoint security policies. Some of the main features and benefits of endpoint security management include:
- Policy Enforcement: Security management solutions enforce corporate endpoint security policies by refusing non-compliant devices access to corporate networks and systems. This ensures that any device accessing corporate resources is compliant with applicable policies.
- Improved Threat Management: Endpoint security platforms identifies and blocks risky devices from accessing the corporate network and can provide ongoing monitoring of devices’ security posture. This in-depth visibility speeds threat detection and response efforts for connected devices.
- Simplified Policy Management: Endpoint management solutions make it easier to define and manage endpoint security policies. With a single console and the ability to define policies for different groups or endpoints, this security management is scalable and sustainable.
- Security Agility: Centralizing management of endpoint security policies makes it faster and easier to push out updated endpoint security policies. This allows an organization to rapidly adapt to the latest security threats and best practices.
- Endpoint Visibility: An security management solution collects security data on every device attempting to access corporate IT resources. This provides deep visibility into the devices connected to the corporate network and their relative security postures.
EPP and EDR - the New Endpoint Security Management Platforms
Endpoint management can be implemented via various different means. While this functionality can be implemented as a standalone solution, it can also be integrated with other endpoint security functionality, such as endpoint protection platforms (EPPs) and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions.
EPPs are a preventative endpoint security solution that acts as a first line of defense against the various cyber threats that endpoints face. A common function of EPP solutions is identifying and blocking an endpoint from being infected by malware, including file-based malware, fileless malware, and malicious scripts. EPP solutions can also integrate endpoint security management functions, restricting access to corporate resources if certain endpoint security solutions are not enabled or if a system has been infected by malware.
EDR is focused on providing greater visibility into an endpoint, supporting rapid incident response and effective threat hunting. EDR solutions collect data from various sources and use various analytics to extract useful intelligence and trigger rule-based automated responses. Similar to EPP, EDR solutions can integrate endpoint security management functionality to help improve the resiliency of corporate systems against cyber threats and mitigate the risk that an infected or non-compliant endpoint poses to the organization.
Endpoint Security Management with Check Point
Managing the Endpoint security solution is increasingly critical to corporate cybersecurity as endpoints move between untrusted and corporate networks. By enforcing corporate security policies for all devices connected to corporate networks, organizations dramatically decrease their security risks. Learn more about what to look for in an endpoint security solution by downloading this buyer’s guide to endpoint security.
Check Point Harmony Endpoint combines EPP and EDR capabilities with endpoint security management functionality to provide comprehensive protection for corporate endpoints. Learn more about Harmony Endpoint’s capabilities by signing up for a free demo today.
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