As businesses scale their operations, networks become more complex with an increasingly remote workforce. As a result, IT departments are responsible for managing thousands of endpoints worldwide, using fragmented point solutions and redundant technologies.
Fortunately, some unified approaches can help manage endpoints seamlessly. These solutions easily consolidate data across operating systems, improving compliance and security, reducing IT workload and costs, and increasing visibility across the endpoint infrastructure.
That said, effective endpoint management has been the utmost priority for IT leaders serious about their data’s security. This is because endpoint management helps authenticate the access rights of endpoint devices to a network by implementing security protocols that track and mitigate external and internal threats from accessing the system.
And with a mobile workforce of 1.87 billion people in 2022, it is imperative for IT managers to implement the best practices for ensuring seamless endpoint management.
Here are some actionable tips to help you manage and increase the efficiency of the endpoint security system of your business.
Identify all Endpoints
The primary step to effective endpoint management is to identify them and assess vulnerabilities. As an IT manager, you need to catalog and approve them beforehand.
Also, ensure that network access is only allowed through approved devices, prioritize the more sensitive endpoints, and don’t overlook any endpoints, no matter how negligible.
Therefore, it is imperative to set a policy to determine your department’s level of support to the workforce. The policy should include the devices list that employees can use to access the network.
Conversely, virtual private networks and applications that can be unsafe should also be included in the list as a precaution.
Formulate Access Policies
Many firms don’t have a standard system for access and data storage. So as a member of IT staff, if you are concerned about securing your information, it is vital to define the levels of data classification.
For instance, you can access some data publicly, while you should keep some of the information restricted. A critical level of access is required based on the extent of sensitivity some information has, such as financial information or personal details.
Implement an access policy that indicates the specific level of information that an employee can read and download. You can execute this with authentication procedures like two-factor authentication.
Ensure Password Security
Devices linked to a company network usually have default passwords and settings, making them a susceptible and vulnerable target for hackers. So make sure to change passwords frequently and be wary of published content from the internet to restrict this susceptibility.
In addition, it is also pivotal to invest in a dedicated software platform and keep up with current updates and continually upgrade the firmware and hardware of your systems.
All these updates are essential because they help curb the escalating of various cybercriminal activities.
Encrypt Your Data
All company stores’ restricted and sensitive data should be encoded in the cloud. You can encrypt particular files or the entire hard drive based on your objectives and goals.
Moreover, it is imperative to prioritize and secure data in transit, keep up with online communication to protect Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) procedures, and encrypt your emails.
Deploy Robust Software
Software is a central part of the system when it comes to security strategies for data loss prevention, improved endpoint management, and progressively advanced cybersecurity advancements.
It is essential to ensure data, security, and employees are protected from being the “weakest link” against data loss and security risks. As a result, device management’s role within endpoint management and protection has never been more critical.
The simplicity and convenience of USB devices make them indispensable in various companies and institutions where manageability is key to frictionless data transfers.
The protection and security of endpoints cannot be assured without a disaster recovery and backup solution. Leveraging and deploying software can help you empower your IT teams and ensure protection.
Create Awareness
From a company’s standpoint, it is essential to educate everyone regarding the cyber threats and security risks to avoid being hacked.
Also, train the workforce on the basic security practices that are integral to maintaining the protocol in your business. For example, they need to learn to use secure passwords and gauge previous phishing scams.
When they are aware of data protection practices, it will help them perform their duties without conceding the privacy and security of the organization.
Wrapping Up
Research shows that between 2019 and 2020, 68% of companies experienced one or more endpoint attacks that compromised their IT infrastructures or data.
While enhanced security may seem overwhelming in light of the increasingly complex cyberattacks, organizations are now aware of the prominence of preventative measures and security training.
If you want to maximize endpoint management‘s efficiency, request for DataLocker’s custom demo.