Endpoint Protection: Its Importance and How it Works

The growth of endpoints—from developer workstations and test environments to live servers and IoT devices—has increased the attack surface. Each point could let bad actors in, and the risks are at an all-time high.

Here is something to think about: IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024 showed that the global average data breach cost reached a new high of $4.88 million. For those in charge of keeping company systems safe, this number highlights how crucial strong endpoint security plans are.

The challenge does not just involve protecting against threats we know. It is also about predicting and reducing the impact of zero-day vulnerabilities and advanced persistent threats (APTs). As our systems get more complex and connected, the old ways of protecting the perimeter just do not cut it anymore.

Let us look at how you can shield your business from emerging attacks using cutting-edge strategies to protect endpoints.

What is Endpoint Protection?

Endpoint protection security safeguards end users and their devices—like computers, laptops, phones, and servers—from online attacks. As companies add more endpoints, including those from BYOD policies, remote work, IoT devices, and customer-facing products, vulnerabilities increase. This makes strong endpoint security more essential than ever.

Endpoint protection guards devices and acts as a shield for the whole network. This layered approach uses different tech and methods to stop, spot, and tackle threats:

• Prevention: It uses application whitelisting, device control, and advanced anti-malware to stop known and unknown threats from running.
• Detection: It uses behavior analysis and machine learning to spot suspicious activities that might signal a breach attempt.
• Response: It offers automatic incident response tools, such as isolating infected endpoints, stopping harmful processes, and undoing changes made by threats.

Endpoint protection features protect these possible entry points, reducing the chance of attackers using compromised devices to launch larger network attacks.

Why is Endpoint Security Essential?

Businesses use endpoint security to keep all the devices connected to a network secure. They can detect suspicious activity and prevent risks by making endpoints in the new network perimeter, no matter where employees are located.

Greater Risk Due to BYOD Policies and Remote Work

According to Forbes, 12.7% of American workers now do their jobs remotely, while 28.2% choose a mix of remote and in-office work. This trend means more personal devices now connect to company networks, increasing the possible targets for cyber attacks.

Prevents Lateral Movement Within Networks

Once an attacker breaches an endpoint, they can move laterally across the network, spreading to more endpoints and accessing valuable assets such as databases or sensitive customer information.

Endpoint security solutions prevent this by:

• Isolating infected devices: Endpoint protection can quarantine or isolate the infected endpoint to prevent the attacker from moving laterally.
• Zero trust architecture: Many modern endpoint security systems operate under the Zero Trust model, which assumes no device or user is trustworthy by default. It requires continuous verification of all devices and users, limiting the ability for attackers to move undetected.

Reduces Dwell Time of Cyberattacks

Dwell time refers to the time gap between when a cyberattack enters the network and when it is detected and neutralized. The longer the dwell time, the more damage an attacker can do, such as extracting data, installing backdoors, or compromising additional systems.

Advanced endpoint security significantly reduces dwell time by:

• Real-time monitoring: Constantly watching all endpoints for such activities, making detection near-instantaneous compared to manual or periodic scans.
• Automated response capabilities: When a threat is detected, modern endpoint security tools can automatically isolate the device, roll back changes, and alert administrators, drastically shortening the time from detection to containment.

Reducing dwell time is crucial for protecting high-value assets and ensuring business continuity, especially when attackers use sophisticated methods to stay hidden for extended periods.

By investing in thorough endpoint protection, businesses can dodge such huge financial hits and keep their customers’ trust. This ensures that one compromised device does not cause widespread harm.

Endpoint Protection vs. Antivirus Software

Endpoint security protection and antivirus might seem similar at first glance, but they differ in scope, detection methods, additional features, and scalability. Let us explore each of them.

• Scope: Antivirus focuses mainly on malware, while endpoint protection can protect from a broader range of threats, including network-level attacks, file-less malware, and advanced attacks like phishing and ransomware.
• Detection methods: Antivirus is generally reliant on signature-based detection, whereas endpoint protection uses a combination of methods like behavior analysis, AI, and machine learning to detect even unknown or emerging threats.
• Additional features: Endpoint protection platforms typically include advanced security features like firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, device control, and encryption, offering a more comprehensive defense than antivirus.
• Scalability: Antivirus solutions are typically designed for individual devices or small businesses, focusing on basic protection. On the other hand, endpoint protection platforms are built to scale across large, complex networks. They safeguard multiple devices, on-site or remote while maintaining centralized management and consistent security policies across all endpoints.

Key Components of Endpoint Protection

Endpoint protection platforms (EPPs) combine several advanced elements to build a strong layered defense system. Let us examine these crucial parts and how they work together to protect your digital assets.

1. Antivirus/Anti-Malware Software

Antivirus/anti-malware software is at the heart of endpoint protection. This key part spots and gets rid of known viruses, worms, and ransomware. It also uses advanced methods to fight new threats.

A top-notch antivirus program has real-time scanning, which monitors files and processes as they are accessed or run. It also uses heuristic analysis, which employs pattern recognition to spot potential threats.

Many new solutions also use sandbox testing, which runs suspected files in a controlled setting to observe their actions. Cloud-based threat intelligence, which taps into global databases, helps these systems stay up-to-date on the latest threats.

As an industry leader, SentinelOne believes that antivirus software should have AI-driven detection skills, self-acting response features, and the ability to provide detailed forensics for after-incident review.

2. Firewall

A firewall monitors the traffic (coming in and going out) between your device and the Internet based on preset security rules.

It works as a shield, preventing unauthorized access and blocking harmful attempts to take advantage of vulnerabilities.

High-tech firewalls analyze data at the application layer, allowing more granular control over the network by inspecting the transmission data’s content, context, and behavior.  This allows for improved threat detection, ensuring only safe traffic passes through the firewall.

3. Intrusion Detection/Prevention System (IDS/IPS)

An intrusion detection system (IDS) keeps an eye on computer and network systems to spot fishy activity. Here, “fishy” might mean weird login patterns like multiple failed attempts, sudden surges in network traffic, attempts to break into secured data, known attack signs, odd systems, or user behavior.

An Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) takes things a step further. It spots break-ins using different methods. One way is signature-based detection, which matches network packets against a list of known attack patterns.

Another is anomaly-based detection, which sets up a normal behavior baseline and flags anything that does not fit. Protocol analysis looks for behavior that does not match what is expected from protocols.

Heuristic-based detection uses algorithms to identify possible threats based on past events. When an IPS spots a break-in, it can act on its own, like blocking traffic, resetting the connection, or alerting admins.

4. Device and Application Control

Device control limits the types of hardware that can connect to a network or endpoint. It allows you to restrict access to specific USB ports or approve hardware devices, stopping data theft through unauthorized external storage.

Application control, in contrast, manages which apps or programs can run on endpoints. This stops the installation of unapproved apps without prior approval, reducing the chance of harmful programs gaining a foothold in your system.

5. Behavioral Analysis and Machine Learning

Behavioral analysis is a complex process that identifies unusual patterns, such as login attempts outside of normal working hours, or unauthorized access on endpoints. Machine learning algorithms boost this ability by spotting threats or oddities based on past data, always learning and adjusting to new and upcoming attack methods.

For example, Adobe improved its security by implementing user behavior analytics (UBA) to detect insider threats and unusual user behavior. The UBA uses machine learning to identify any deviations from normal activity, improving threat detection and data protection.

With UBA, Adobe can distinguish between high-severity threats that are not malicious and those that are truly malicious. For example, if a user travels to a new city and uses a new device or browser, UBA may flag this as a high-severity case, even though it is not malicious.

In summary, UBA with machine learning has significantly improved Adobe’s ability to detect insider threats accurately.

6. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

Endpoint detection and response solutions are at the top of endpoint protection tech. EDR platforms keep a 24/7 eye on endpoints to spot threats and offer cutting-edge tools to dig deep and respond.

EDR solutions often include many features we discussed earlier, like antivirus, firewall, IDS/IPS, and ways to analyze behavior. This all-in-one approach makes EDR the go-to choice for full endpoint protection.

The best EDR platforms come with some key features:

• They monitor endpoints non-stop and catch threats as they happen
• They respond and fix issues promptly
• They have advanced systems to detect threats
• They provide in-depth tools to investigate incidents
• They work well with other security systems to create a united defense plan

How Does Endpoint Protection Work?

An endpoint protection solution gets installed on a server and every endpoint, setting up a central security system. This setup has big benefits for productivity and control:

1. Centralized monitoring and management: IT teams can monitor the security status of all devices from one dashboard. This central view cuts down the time and effort needed for security oversight, allowing IT teams to focus on big-picture items.
2. Global update deployment: One of the most useful features is sending updates to all endpoints simultaneously.

This all-at-once push has an impact on:

• Quick action against new threats: IT can roll out security patches across the whole network right away
• The same level of protection: All devices stay safe
• Less disruption for users: Updates happen behind the scenes, so employees can keep working without any hindrances
• Less work for IT: No need to update each device one by one

3. Automatic threat spotting: The software continuously monitors devices, checking files, folders, programs, and network traffic to find vulnerabilities. This allows security teams to deal with more pressing security issues and plan ahead.

4. Quick threat handling: When it spots a threat, the software can :

• Cut off affected files or systems
• Stop fishy network traffic
• Warn users and IT teams about the danger. This fast, hands-off response prevents potential security issues from causing too much trouble, allowing businesses to continue operating.

5. Application control: An essential part of endpoint security is the power to oversee which apps or programs users can get or install. This central oversight:

• Cuts down the chance of malware attacks from unapproved software
• Makes sure the company follows software license rules and its own policies
• Makes software asset management easier

Types of Endpoint Protection

Apart from a firewall, antivirus, and EDR (which have been mentioned previously), here are a few types of endpoint protection:

1. Endpoint protection platform (EPP):

EPP in cybersecurity is a comprehensive solution that bundles all essential tools like antivirus, firewall, EDR, intrusion prevention systems, and application control into a single platform.

The primary purpose is to provide a unified approach to secure various endpoints from a wide range of cyber threats. This unified approach simplifies managing many devices and enhances overall protection.

2. Extended detection and response (XDR):

XDR is a cybersecurity framework that correlates data from various security tools like EPP, data loss prevention, and network security across the organization’s entire infrastructure. This allows XDR to identify an extensive range of threats that might have been missed by an individual security tool.

XDR enables security teams to hunt for threats proactively using machine learning algorithms. If it detects a threat during the hunt, it can automate certain responses, such as quarantining infected devices or blocking malicious traffic.

While EDR and XDR share some similarities, XDR differs in providing a broader scope and correlating data from multiple sources.

3. Internet of Things (IoT) Protection

IoT devices have software embedded into them and can exchange information with other devices over the internet. These devices include but are not limited to refrigerators, doorbells, smart bulbs, dash cams, and home security sensors.

These IoT devices are increasing in number and are vulnerable to various security threats. These vulnerabilities include weak default passwords, lack of security updates, and insecure communication protocols.

These issues increase the need for IoT security, and these devices can be protected by regularly monitoring for suspicious activities, using secure communication protocols, such as HTTPS and TLS, and restricting who can access the IoT devices.

Implementing Endpoint Protection

An endpoint protection strategy involves deploying security solutions to detect, analyze, and respond to threats at the device level. Here’s a detailed step-by-step description of how it is done:

1. Identify All of Your Endpoints

The first step to effectively manage and secure a network is identifying all connected endpoints. This provides a comprehensive view of the network’s scale and ensures that no device is left unprotected.

Why is this important?

Unidentified and unprotected endpoints can become entry points for bad actors to access the network and sensitive data. According to IBM, the average total cost of a data breach is 4.88 million. These security breaches can affect the company’s financial stability, reputation, and operations.

Considering the scale of these risks, taking proactive actions to discover all endpoints becomes crucial. But how do you ensure every device is accounted for?

While performing a manual inventory can be time-consuming and prone to human error, using network discovery tools such as Singularity Network Discovery can streamline the process and enable a more efficient and thorough identification of all devices or endpoints within the network.

Consider a scenario where a remote employee receives a malicious email with a link to the document tagged as “urgent” and opens it unknowingly. This link downloads the malware onto the device, and the attacker gains access to the network and sensitive data. This example highlights how important it is to discover and protect your endpoints.

2. Assess Vulnerabilities

Once all the endpoints are identified, assess the sensitivity of the data and rank them based on their potential impact on the network. This ranking allows for a prioritized approach to deal with threats and ensure effective allocation of resources.

Also, conduct a detailed analysis of potential threats, such as ransomware, phishing, and malware, to determine the level of risk involved with each endpoint. This helps prioritize the devices with high risk and take action to protect them, which leads us to the next step.

3. Select Endpoint Protection Solutions

The next step is to implement strong security measures such as antivirus, firewall, encryption, data loss prevention, and intrusion protection throughout the network. To implement these measures, consider an endpoint threat protection platform such as SentinelOne.

While choosing an EPP, research all the vendors, look for features your organization requires, compare pricing, and ensure the platform scales with your needs.

Evaluate vendor support and how the software impacts performance. In short, choose software with comprehensive coverage within your budget and has a good market reputation.

4. Deploy and Configure Solutions

Ensure the solution you choose integrates with your operating system, network, servers, databases, and other security tools. Test to see whether the new EPP is operational without any problems.

Then, deploy the EPP agent on target devices and define security policies, such as firewall rules and antivirus settings, access controls, and whitelisting or blocklisting to ensure only authorized applications can run.

5. Monitor and Review Security Protocols

Identifying all endpoints, installing EPP solutions, and educating employees is only part of the solution.

To have a complete solution:

• Monitor the network and performance of the security solution in real-time.
• Conduct regular audits of the security infrastructure to identify potential weaknesses.
• Review and update the security protocols based on the findings from audits and incident reports.

Benefits of Endpoint Protection

Endpoint protection in cybersecurity enhances the security posture of a business by making sure that all devices connected to the network are monitored and protected against unauthorized access. Specifically, endpoint protection confers the following benefits:

1. Centralized Management

It is impossible to manually manage hundreds of laptops and mobile devices connected to the network. Cybersecurity endpoint protection solutions offer a centralized management to manage all these devices from a central location. This allows IT admins to monitor and update policies and ensure compliance with a single dashboard. Moreover, centralized management improves the visibility of the entire organization to identify and prevent threats.

2. Securing remote work

According to FlexJobs, 63% of employees prefer working remotely over a salary.

This highlights the demand for remote work and raises the need to secure these remote devices properly. An advanced endpoint protection platform protects remote devices by offering multi-factor authentication, data encryption, mobile device management, robust antivirus/malware software, and network security. These features allow employees and organizations to work seamlessly and securely.

3. Uninterrupted Work and Productivity

Malware, phishing, and other cyber attacks disrupt the workflow and cause huge losses to the company. Organizations that use endpoint protection save approximately $2.2M and provide a safe environment for employees to work without interruptions. So, it cuts down costs and improves productivity and revenue.

4. Data Protection

Endpoint protection primarily employs two methods – Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and encryption. DLP refers to a set of processes that monitor, identify, and prevent sensitive information from being compromised from an organization’s network.

How it works

DLP identifies sensitive data by specific keywords or patterns, predefined labels, or associated tags. Then, it monitors the data to detect any attempts to access, copy, or transmit it. It blocks, quarantines, or alerts the admins when it detects a potential threat.

Encryption is the process of converting plain data into a coded format that prevents individuals from understanding them. It can encrypt the data at rest and in transit, protecting it in both stages.

By using the DLP and encryption, endpoint protection software lays a strong security foundation for your sensitive data and prevents data theft.

Endpoint Protection Strategies

Endpoint protection strategies involve a combination of advanced threat detection, machine learning capabilities, and real-time response mechanisms to identify and neutralize threats before they can cause significant damage.

Here are some strategies for your organization to follow:

1. Offer Layered Security

Even though protecting your organization starts with a firewall filtering the data packets, it requires more than just a firewall to face modern threats in the cybersecurity space. An organization requires protection at various stages, including email-specific antivirus, IoT devices, cloud security, remote devices, servers, mobile device management, etc. Each stage carries a different risk level and requires a different approach to mitigate them. So, security professionals must ensure protection across all these layers by implementing a comprehensive strategy.

2. Educate Users

Start the training with the basics, such as accessing and navigating the EPP platform, understanding settings and controls, and reporting suspicious activity. Additionally, the training material should be updated to reflect the software changes. Then, remind employees about the best practices by implementing a notice board mechanism that is always visible to everyone.

Some of the best practices are:

• Create strong, unique passwords that are longer than eight characters
• Avoid sharing passwords with others
• Follow safe browsing habits such as browsing only authorized and popular websites
• Be cautious when opening a link. If it seems suspicious, report it to the management
• Educating oneself about how phishing and social engineering attacks occur to prevent them from happening in the future

3. Regular Updates and Patches

The 2023 Data Breach Report by ITRC showed that there has been a 72% point increase in total compromises as compared to 2021. This growth indicates that cyber attacks are evolving, which increases the need for updated security patches to counter these new threats. So, regularly send updates or patches to improve the security of your systems. Try to automate installing these patches or updates whenever possible to reduce human errors.

4. Mobile Device Management (MDM)

According to Backlinko, the global mobile users in 2024 is 4.88 billion, expected to reach 5.28 billion by 2025. These include BYOD devices, which pose a huge security risk for companies.

Mobile device management becomes essential to monitoring, controlling, and securing these devices and enforcing policies such as data encryption and app restrictions.

By implementing robust MDM solutions, you are one step ahead in mitigating the risks associated with BYOD devices and protecting the data.

5. Incident Response Planning

Even with a firewall, antivirus, and EPP solutions in place, hackers sometimes find a way to infiltrate a network. Incident response planning commences in such situations by outlining steps to be taken, such as containment, eradication, recovery, and lessons learned. By having a clear plan in place, an organization can respond to these breaches immediately, minimizing the damage and data theft.

EPP Use Cases

Endpoint protection platforms address a wide range of cybersecurity threats. Use cases range from securing endpoints to safeguard remote work environments to monitoring and controlling data access and transfer to ensure compliance with data protection regulations.

Here are some use cases in detail:

1. Providing Remote Remedies

When a security issue is discovered, teams often need to address it from various locations, such as home offices. EDR lets them investigate and fix issues remotely, no matter where they are, using cloud-based tools that give visibility into all connected devices.

2. Forensic Investigations

After an attack, it is essential to investigate how it happened and how you can prevent it from happening again. EDR tools give a clear picture of the entire attack, making it easier to learn from the incident and close security gaps.

Choosing and Evaluating the Right Endpoint Protection Software

The endpoint protection platform you choose can have a big impact on your company’s security stance, how well it runs, and how it deals with new threats. As you look at different EPP options, consider the following essential parameters.

1. Scalability and Cost

Your endpoint protection solution should grow with your business without breaking the bank. Keep these things in mind:

• Cloud-based design: Solutions built for the cloud often scale better and make management easier for growing companies.
• Flexible licensing: Make sure the license model lets you add new endpoints without hassle as your company grows.
• Effect on speed: The tool should stay quick and effective even when you protect more endpoints.
• Control from one place: A well-scalable tool should give you strong central control options to keep things in check as your network expands.
• Overall cost: Compare different pricing plans and calculate the total cost, including license fees and add-ons. Consider whether the features are worth the money, considering both the money you’ll spend now and the value you’ll get down the road.

2. Ease of Use

A good EPP boosts your security without overloading your IT team. Pick software that puts user experience first in these ways:

• Easy-to-use interface: The software should have a simple, well-organized dashboard that makes it easy to find and use key functions.
• Quick setup: Choose a solution that offers automatic deployment options to save time and effort.
• Self-updating and patching: The EPP should handle updates and fixes with little manual work.
• Same look and feel everywhere: The software should keep a consistent interface and behavior across all features and types of endpoints.

3. Hassle-Free Integrations

Your EPP should integrate smoothly with your existing IT setup. Think about:

• OS compatibility: Check if the EPP works with all the operating systems your company uses.
• Network fit: The tool should mesh well with your current network setup, including VPNs or SD-WANs.
• Security tool synergy: Choose an EPP that integrates well with your existing SIEM system, IAM tools, and other security gear.
• API access: A strong API lets you create custom links to your other IT management and tracking tools.
• Cloud readiness: If you use cloud services, make sure the EPP can guard your cloud-based assets, too.

4. Full Feature Package

Look at the range of features each option brings to the table:

• Antivirus and Malware Protection: Software to fight viruses and malicious programs
• Network Threat Defense: Protection from network threats
• Intrusion Detection Systems (IDPS): Systems to spot and stop unauthorized access
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Tools to prevent data leaks
• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): To continuously monitor endpoints for threats and enable quick response.
• App and Device Control: Control over apps and devices
• User Behavior Analytics (UBA) and AI: Analysis of user actions and AI-powered learning

5. Training and Learning Resources

Think about how good and easy-to-reach the support and training materials are:

• Response time: How fast does the vendor answer support requests?
• Expertise: Does the support team show deep knowledge of the product?
• Availability: Can you reach support 24/7 and through different ways (phone, email, chat)?
• Training resources: Does the vendor offer full training docs, video guides, and help articles? Look for resources like those in platforms such as SentinelLabs.
• User community: Is there a lively user community or forum to get help from peers and share knowledge?

6. Vendor Reputation and User Reviews

Look into the vendor’s position in the market:

• Market experience: Consider how long the vendor has been around and how well it understands users’ needs.
• Commitment to R&D: Check out the vendor’s history in research and development. This will show whether they can keep up with new threats.
• User ratings and reviews: Read what people say on independent review sites and in testimonials to see how well the product works in real life and how happy users are.
• Industry recognition: Consider awards and certifications and their position in reports from industry experts (like the Gartner Magic Quadrant).

By examining these factors closely, you can pick an endpoint protection solution that fits your needs now and grows with your company as security threats change. Keep in mind that the top endpoint protection platforms should boost your security while working with your current systems and processes, giving you good value for years to come.

Discover, Protect, & Evolve Every Endpoint with SentinelOne

Online threats are increasing daily, making it hard to protect our devices with simple antivirus software. So, to protect your computer, you need to understand how endpoint protection works and the software that stops these dangers before they cause you damage.

SentinelOne is a top cybersecurity company that provides robust endpoint protection.  It uses machine learning, detection, and response capabilities to identify and prevent real-time unknown threats, often called zero-day attacks.

Beyond providing prevention, SentinelOne also offers a comprehensive incident response feature for quick investigation and remedies for security breaches.

SentinelOne is a forward-thinking endpoint protection solution that combines detection, prevention, and response capabilities into a unified platform.

Book a demo now if you want to protect your company’s devices, prevent attacks, and respond to threats before it’s too late.

FAQs

1. What is an example of endpoint protection?

Antivirus software is a classic example of endpoint protection. It identifies, prevents, and removes malicious software from your device.

But antivirus/malware software is just a fundamental component of endpoint protection. Modern endpoint protection offers much more than an antivirus, including firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, web filtering, and endpoint detection and response.

2. Is endpoint protection a firewall?

No, endpoint protection is not a firewall. While they are both crucial components of a robust cybersecurity strategy, they serve different purposes.

Firewall

• Focus: Protects the network perimeter by controlling incoming and outgoing traffic.
• How it works: Acts as a gatekeeper, filtering data packets based on predefined rules.
• Purpose: Prevents unauthorized access to the network.

Endpoint Protection

• Focus: Protects individual devices (endpoints) like computers, laptops, and smartphones.
• How it works: It uses various technologies to detect, prevent, and respond to threats on the device itself.
• Purpose: Protects devices from malware, ransomware, and other cyberattacks.

A firewall protects the network from external threats, while endpoint protection safeguards individual devices from internal and external threats.

3. What is the best endpoint protection software?

The best endpoint protection software depends on the individual organization’s requirements, budget, and types of threats. Here are a few software for your reference.

• SentinelOne
• CrowdStrike Falcon
• Symantec Endpoint Protection
• McAfee Endpoint Security
• Bitdefender GravityZone
• Kaspersky Endpoint Security Cloud
• ESET Endpoint Security
• Avast Business Security
• Cisco Secure Endpoint