Article 6 Network and Endpoint Security Best Practices

Each time a user captures, stores, shares and edits data through connected devices, they put themselves at risk. What if the device in use is a business laptop or phone? How much confidence do you have in your security strategy to prevent data exposure? 

First, let’s explore the basics around today’s cyberthreat landscape and best practices for establishing comprehensive network and endpoint security for your organization.

What is network security? 

Network security is your processes and tools that are designed to prevent unauthorized access to your network — and ultimately your entire ecosystem, including data and endpoints. There are a variety of ways to improve your network security by using firewalls and more.

Malicious users use many tactics to access networks and compromise IT resources, so it’s critical to ensure you’re following best practices.

What is endpoint security? 

Your endpoint security is what’s keeping devices that are remotely connected to your network safe from malicious activity. Your endpoints include mobile devices, laptops, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and other tools that use a wireless connection to join your network.

The highly portable nature of these devices creates many risks to your data and end-user productivity. 

Breaking down the cyberthreat landscape

The simplest form of data security comes from creating custom passwords for different accounts and training employees to effectively deflect phishing emails. But, as threats continue to evolve, so too must your approach to complete data security. This may include better network and endpoint protection.

Endpoints are an attractive target to hackers. In fact, 68% of IT security professionals say their company experienced one or more endpoint attacks that compromised data assets or IT infrastructure in 2019, an increase from 54% of respondents in 2017, according to Help Net Security. 

Cyberthreats may succeed in infiltrating your network due to a user unknowingly downloading a virus or visiting a compromised website, lack of visibility into entry points by the IT security team or the use of outdated software. 

Establishing comprehensive network and endpoint security

Here are some best practices you can use to bolster your defenses and adapt to the evolving cyberthreat landscape.

1. Access and identity management
Network Access Control (NAC) computer security unifies endpoint security solutions such as user assessments, system authentication and intrusion prevention to ensure critical data is restricted to qualified employees. For example, when teammates log on to their work computers, they can only view files that they've been authorized to access.

2. Threat intelligence
According to TechTarget, threat intelligence includes in-depth information about a specific cyberthreat, such as a zero-day threat, advanced persistent threat or exploit, to help businesses defend against hackers. Collecting data from research and analysis will help you detect abnormal network behavior, and predict and block malicious activity.

3. Firewall
Having a firewall in place can mean the difference between successfully preventing a cyberattack and responding to a breach. Firewalls monitor and control network traffic based on predetermined security rules you choose. You can launch a firewall in either hardware or software form, or a combination of both, to keep unauthorized users or messages from connecting to your private network.

4. Mobile devices
Device security can be broken down into two categories: physical device protection and application management. Acknowledging that the mobile workforce will comprise 1.87 billion people by 2022, it’s critical that you train your employees to lock their devices and choose complex passwords hackers are less likely to guess. Multifactor authentication could also help reduce the chance of a successful attack, and a remote wiping system could be a lifesaver if a business-critical device is stolen.

When it comes to applications, setting restrictions on what teammates can and cannot download will help mitigate risks. And running regular software updates and audits will guarantee your security protocols are up to par, preventing rogue software from sneaking through.

5. Recovery plans
We know you aren’t going to leave your security success to change, but sometimes, even though you do everything right, sophisticated cybercriminals break through your defenses. Taking a proactive approach and setting up a “just in case” IT disaster recovery plan can save a lot of time, money and stress. This is especially true considering that unexpected downtime could cost an organization additional costs in repairs, lost business and reputation damages. 

6. Zero Trust security
According to CSO, Zero Trust is "a security concept centered on the belief that organizations should not automatically trust anything inside or outside its perimeters and instead must verify anything and everything trying to connect to its systems before granting access."

A proper Zero Trust model can be implemented as follows:

• Identify your sensitive data.
• Map the data flows of your sensitive data.
• Architect your Zero Trust network.
• Create you automated rule base.

Gain security, simplicity and performance. Your success depends on how you enable and protect your workplace.