Remote Work and the Growing Need for Endpoint Protection
Today, a growing number of organizations are aiming to provide greater flexibility for their employees by implementing remote and hybrid work models. While this approach is an excellent way to serve the needs and expectations of modern professionals, it also has a significant impact on endpoint security.
Endpoint Protection for Remote Workers
As remote work presents an entirely new set of challenges to organizational security, effective endpoint protection has become more crucial than ever. New developments in technology are making the remote working environment increasingly efficient, but they are also opening the door to emerging cyber threats. Therefore, traditional endpoint protection methods are no longer sufficient.
Look at it this way: every laptop, tablet, or smartphone your organization provides to remote workers creates another vulnerability. Additionally, the technological trend of the internet of things (IoT) introduces even more risk.
So, how do you ensure that your organization is adequately protected in the age of remote work? Deploying a comprehensive endpoint protection strategy – specifically, one that is tailored to your organization’s needs, fully scalable, and facilitated by professionals – is key.
Here are a few important considerations to keep in mind as you assess your present strategy and pinpoint opportunities for improvement.
Artificial intelligence technology can dramatically increase responsiveness and overall safety.
In many cases, today’s cybercriminals are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to coordinate and launch attacks. As such, it only makes sense that organizations should also take advantage of AI to strengthen their security efforts.
Regarding endpoint protection, AI can automate complex security playbooks to deliver machine-speed responses. With AI on your side, you can quickly get ahead of malicious processes to mitigate damage.
Strict device policies are a must.
It’s no secret that human error is one of the greatest threats to organizational security. Even a seemingly harmless email or link can set off a disastrous sequence of events, and the prevalence of remote devices has increased the frequency with which these scenarios occur. There has also been a marked increase in bring your own device (BYOD) practices, introducing yet another “wild card” into the mix.
A proactive approach to device management can help your organization enjoy all the conveniences of these added devices while still safeguarding your data and operations. Ideally, your IT and device policies should be developed with the aid of cybersecurity experts, so that no detail is forgotten.
Don’t underestimate the importance of 24/7 monitoring.
Odds are, you’ve accessed your organization’s network, checked your professional email, or completed other work-related tasks outside standard business hours – and more than likely, so have most of your remote staff. So, you can see why it is no longer acceptable for endpoint security monitoring to be limited to traditional business hours.
Professional monitoring of endpoint and network security, cloud apps, and any associated infrastructure should be happening around the clock. The best solutions are those that monitor endpoint events to rapidly detect and address suspicious activity, taking action based on real-time data and relevant information.
Get Ahead of Remote Work Risks
Ultimately, remote work can be an exceptional asset for your organization, so long as the proper security measures are in place. First-rate security solutions, staff education and training, and updated policies are among the vital components of a productive and safe approach to remote work.
If your company needs assistance making improvements to your endpoint protection strategy, Quest is here to help. Please feel free to contact us anytime.
Adam Burke
