Endpoints are a continuous target for threat actors. They serve as gateways to the overall network, meaning an attack that starts on a single endpoint can quickly spread across the attack surface. They offer a valuable entry point into a client’s environment that can be used to launch sophisticated cyber attacks.
15% of all ticketed incidents originate at the endpoint, and even when an attack doesn’t start on an endpoint, it doesn’t mean it won’t reach one, or multiple, during different stages of an attack. Ransomware, for example, commonly replicates and spreads laterally through a network, infecting as many endpoints as possible to disrupt an entire business. Similar malware strains, known as worms, follow the same pattern.
That’s why endpoint security is so foundational to cybersecurity. Monitoring and securing the array of endpoints throughout your environment allows you to detect threats as early as possible, stopping them before they go from isolated to network-wide security incidents.
What is an Endpoint?
An endpoint is anything on your network that can receive and transmit data. This definition may appear broad, and for good reason. As network architecture has evolved over the years, the very definition of an endpoint has morphed alongside it.
For our purposes, we define “endpoint” by the very words that make up the term. An endpoint is any device that resides at the end point of a network connection and can communicate on said network. This includes desktops, laptops, servers, mobile devices, IoT technology, and more.
“The expanding definition of endpoints now encompasses a wide range of devices beyond traditional computers, reflecting the evolving nature of network architectures and the increasing diversity of connected devices in modern businesses.”
– Gartner, “Market Guide for Endpoint Detection and Response Solutions”
https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/3989507
The Evolution of Endpoint Security
Endpoint security began its life as antivirus software. Designed to scan and detect malware that could infect computing devices, antivirus software marked a major step forward in protecting endpoints from threats.
As time passed, threats and technology have evolved side-by-side, and so too has antivirus and endpoint security, broadly. Most endpoint security in use today falls under the banner of “next-gen”, which means any endpoint tool that goes beyond traditional antivirus and may include endpoint detection and response (EDR), endpoint protection platforms (EPP), or extended detection and response (XDR).
Why is Endpoint Security Important?
All security incidents will land on the endpoint at some phase of the attack. Be it the root point of compromise, where a threat actor has gained access to a laptop, or the middle of an attack, where a threat actor has exploited a vulnerability to access mobile devices, or even the late stages of a malware attack, where a strain has exploded across multiple endpoints.
“According to the IBM Cost of a Data Breach 2024, having EDR in place can reduce the cost of a breach by $185,533 USD, highlighting its value.”
– IBM Security, “Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024”
https://www.ibm.com/security/data-breach
Different Types of Next-Generation Endpoint Security
According to The State of Cybersecurity: 2024 Trends Report, 66% of small and medium businesses are using at least one endpoint security solution, and out of those businesses, 87% are utilizing two or more.
Endpoint Detection and Response
Endpoint detection and response (EDR) was developed as a response to the drawbacks of traditional antivirus. EDR records critical activity that occurs on an endpoint to observe behaviors. Process executions, command line activity, running services, network connections, and file manipulation are just some of the events that EDR tools are designed to record.
Endpoint Protection Platforms
Endpoint protection platforms (EPP) were developed to build off what was seen as the best aspects of both EDR and antivirus. These platforms record actions occurring on the endpoint in the same fashion as EDR, and these actions are then processed against a database of known suspicious behaviors in near real-time.
“The choice between EDR and EPP often depends on the organization’s size, security maturity, and available resources. Smaller businesses may benefit from the automated prevention capabilities of EPP, while larger enterprises with dedicated security teams might prefer the advanced threat hunting capabilities of EDR.”
– Forrester Research, “Now Tech: Endpoint Security Software, Q4 2024”
https://www.forrester.com/report/now-tech-endpoint-security-software-q4-2024/RES176322
Which Endpoint Tool is Right for Your Business?
Choosing an endpoint security tool is crucial for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK, especially given the increasing range of cyber threats. To begin, businesses should assess their unique requirements, such as the number of endpoints needing protection and the sensitivity of data handled.
Understanding compliance obligations like GDPR is essential to ensure that any chosen solution meets regulatory standards. When evaluating tools, SMEs should prioritise features that provide comprehensive and scalable protection. Look for solutions offering real-time threat detection, behavioral analysis, and a multi-layered security approach that combines antivirus software with firewalls and encryption.
Choose a solution that simplifies deployment and offers a centralised management console to streamline monitoring and updates across devices. Finally, consider scalability and cost-effectiveness when selecting an endpoint security tool.
Your chosen solution should be able to grow alongside your business while providing long-term value beyond initial costs. Research vendor reputations thoroughly; positive reviews from similar-sized companies can indicate reliability during incidents. Engaging directly with vendors through demos will help ensure you make an informed decision tailored to your specific operational needs.
Determining which endpoint tool is right for your environment is often a difficult decision to make. The needs and limitations of every local business are unique and should be considered when purchasing an endpoint tool.