Endpoint Security - Definition & Overview

IT security isn’t just about implementing powerful solutions to support your internal structures. It’s also about taking a closer look at the various devices that exist at the edges of an organization’s infrastructure, which includes laptops, computers, tablets, and mobile devices. Each of these devices is what we call network endpoints.

Each endpoint that connects to the IT infrastructure is a potential opening for cyberattacks and security threats. As much as IT teams need to focus on their internal systems, just as much as attention should be placed on the security of their network endpoints.

Endpoint security is basically an organizations’ strategy and approach to maintaining the security of network endpoints and external devices that are directly connected to the IT infrastructure.

There are two types of Endpoint security approaches: Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP) and Endpoint Detection and Remediation (EDR).

Endpoint Protection Platform is a way to vet all the files and data packets that enter a network through an endpoint. EPP scans those files, compares them alongside threats in the intelligence database, and checks whether the file meta-data or properties matches that of any malicious threats.

Endpoint Detection and Remediation takes things a step further by providing round-the-clock monitoring of all applications and files that interact with a given device, not just those specific files that connect to the network.

Endpoint security will:

• Directly link to client devices from the central IT server

• Limit threats to end user by having a series of checkpoints and protocols that their devices must pass through when connecting to the network

• Rely on the EPP and EDR approaches to monitoring and vetting all files, packets, and applications that come in contact with your internal networks through an external device

There are basically two ways in which endpoint security can scan, maintain, monitor, and protect your network from device-related threats. Those two models include client-server protection and Saas models.

• Client server model: Client server models refer to the traditional way in which IT teams practice their endpoint security strategy. Rather than relying on a cloud to maintain the database to store threat-related information, client servers store all the data and require that all the data is maintained locally. Client-server models require that the endpoint software be installed directly onto the device. They connect client, server, and network together, allowing clients to mix and match software, hardware, and operations. While this flexibility is one of the more appealing aspects of client-server models, it’s also what makes it vulnerable to breaches in security.

Saas model: The SaaS model is a cloud-based, third party host model. Rather than purchasing a physical copy of an application or endpoint software and installing it on your device, SaaS models rely on vendors to maintain and manage their endpoint security software through the cloud. This model helps free up the burden of maintaining all the data locally. Data loss prevention SaaS solutions help protect intellectual property in both the cloud applications and through endpoint devices. SaaS models remain popular for their flexibility, scalability, on-demand resources, fast implementation, easy updates, and more.

An endpoint device itself is really any internet-capable device that is connected to the network. These include:

• Laptops

• Computers

• Tablets

• Mobile devices

• Thin (lean) clients

• Printers

• Servers

• Workstations

• IOT devices

So what should you expect a robust endpoint security solution to entail? What are the various components and functionalities that you should be looking for?

• Cutting-edge antivirus, antispyware, and antimalware tools that scan, detect, and remove viruses present on endpoint devices and systems

• Advanced firewalls, either client or cloud-based, that act as gateways within the IT infrastructure

• Application whistling capabilities that enable IT administrators to monitor and exercise control over which applications are permitted on network endpoints

• A robust Network Access Control system that authenticates users, matches its compliance with security policies, and restrictions permission depending on the user’s current security compliance status

• Data encryption to protect emails, endpoints, and databases

• Host Intrusion Prevention Systems that monitor host devices for suspicious activity by analyzing event logs

• Proactive forensics capabilities that allow admins to identify, isolate, and remove threats

• Features that rely on machine-learning and automation in order to provide real-time, round-the clock monitoring and threat detection

Sumo Logic provides organizations with intelligent, state-of-the-art security solutions to keep their endpoints and networks safe from security threats. Our operational analytics platforms leverage machine learning and big data to effectively identify threats and forensically investigate security inconsistencies.

Protect all your devices with the power of Sumo Logic today.