With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated and challenging to prevent, even the most prominent players in the tech market seem to be vulnerable and compromised. In addition, the increased use of personal devices (BYOD or bring your own device) does not make the job of organizations and security providers any easier. Regarding all these, the endpoint security market is projected to have a growth rate of at least 9% annually over the next 5-6 years.
Edge vs Endpoint Computing: A Primer
The primary difference between edge and endpoint computing lies in the resources utilized to run an application or program. When you operate with a program stored on a specific device, you mostly rely on localized computing – utilizing the resources (CPU, memory, disk space, etc.) of that unique device. This is what is meant by endpoint computing. On the other hand, we use devices to run applications that are hosted externally. The most common examples could be using your own device to manipulate all your organization’s systems and data hosted in the cloud, playing online games stored externally, etc.
In these scenarios, and in many more, we mean distributed or edge computing.
Edge and Endpoint Computing Must Exist Together
For sure, the near future does not seem to make any of the computing models redundant. It is just the opposite: organizations and enterprise architects will need to combine them in the most efficient way considering a number of factors, such as:
- Costs versus reliability or performance
- Accessibility, availability, and responsiveness of an application
- Storage space and other resources
In addition, market dynamics and the accelerated development of both end and edge computing would not make a choice easier.
Let’s Talk About Endpoint Security
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, endpoint security has become a hot topic. Endpoint security deals with securing end or entry points of user devices against being exposed to malicious actions. There are a variety of solutions available to protect these endpoints on a network or in the cloud from cybersecurity threats. Many enterprises had solved critical cybersecurity issues through centralization. However, the massive switch to remote work presented new threats. All this was crucial for endpoint security market growth. As a result, endpoint security solutions are needed to secure on-premises servers together with virtual and container workloads in public and private cloud environments.
Some components of endpoint security could be:
- Proactive web security to ensure safe browsing on the web
- Advanced ransomware and antivirus protection
- Integrated firewall to block hostile network attacks
- Machine-learning algorithms to detect zero-day threats in near real-time
Endpoint protection, however, is all about examining files and data entering the network, freeing endpoints, and enforcing the potential of the cloud to fight against cyber threats. Some types of endpoint protection solutions are:
- Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP) exist on desktops, servers, and mobile devices. EPPs prevent file-based malware attacks, detect malicious activity, and ease the response to incidents and alerts. EPPs are assisted by cloud solutions and data to increase efficiency and keep up-to-date with current threats.
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions include tools that detect security incidents, contain them at the endpoints, investigate them, and provide remediation guidance to restore affected systems.
- Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solutions offer highly-optimized security. Microsoft suggests that XDR broadens the scope of security, integrating protection across a wider range of products. From there, XDR combines prevention, detection, investigation, and response. Together, visibility, analytics, correlated incident alerts, and automated responses improve data security and combat threats.
How SMBs can Increase Endpoint Security with CloudScale365
Administrators often lack a single powerful security tool. Defending network, servers, workstations, and mobile devices require:
- Knowing all of your endpoints. Make sure you have identified all devices and categorized them in terms of sensitivity and vulnerability before taking any further actions.
- Considering IoT security. Peripheral devices often lack or use generic passwords, which makes them an easy target for cyberattacks. Make sure to keep them well-secured and patched.
- Enforcing data encryption. Implement all best practices and tools to encrypt sensitive data – HTTPS protocols, email encryption, VPS usage, etc.
- Introducing a BYOD policy. Any personal device connected to your network is a threat. That is, unless you specify what type of devices and applications could be run.
- Introducing a data access policy. Determine basic protocols for data storage, usage, and access. Introduce different levels of access for people with different roles at your organization.
- Increasing employees’ cyber risk awareness. Beware that not all your people are prepared to cope with cyber security threats. Involve these people in basic training to educate them how to secure their passwords and recognize phishing emails or other malicious attempts.
- Introducing advanced and automated endpoint protection. Good old antiviruses and firewalls may not be capable of detecting sophisticated malware or unknown threats. Advanced endpoint solutions now come with a much higher potential to identify and deal with potential issues.
If you need advanced security for all your data on all devices and networks, zero-day protection, innovative threat prevention powered by AI, and robust response for complete attack remediation, ask us for a free consultation.
