As digitalization progresses rapidly, corporate and individual data is exposed to various cyber threats.
In particular, endpoint devices (PCs, mobile devices, IoT devices, etc.) are becoming major targets of hackers’ attacks, and the need for integrated security solutions to protect against such threats is increasing.
The importance of integrated security
The importance of integrated security is emphasized in many ways. According to AWS’s endpoint security report, integrated security solutions reduce the complexity of security management by providing multiple security functions (antivirus, firewall, intrusion detection system, etc.) on a single platform. This means that administrators do not need to set up and maintain multiple programs separately, increasing the efficiency of security management.
In addition, the integrated system allows you to centrally manage security functions centrally, saving time and resources. Administrators can monitor and take action on all security statuses from a single dashboard, and have the ability to detect threats in real-time and respond immediately.
Being able to take quick action when a problem occurs can minimize damage, which plays a vital role in improving the overall security level of your organization.
Endpoint Integrated Security Core Components
The core components of endpoint integrated security are antivirus and malware detection, firewall, and intrusion detection and prevention system (IDS/IPS). According to a report by network security company Valoq, antivirus, and malware detection provide the ability to detect and remove malware and viruses in real-time, thereby enhancing the safety of the system.
Firewalls protect endpoints by monitoring network traffic and blocking abnormal access, while IDS/IPS detect and block abnormal activities, helping prevent data leaks and loss.
In addition, data encryption is essential to safely protect sensitive information, and even if data is leaked, it remains encrypted, ensuring the safety of the information. Finally, the SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) system collects and analyzes various security events to support real-time threat detection and response.
How to Implement Effective Endpoint Security
Effective endpoint security requires employee education, regular security patching, multi-factor authentication, and regular security checks. According to Microsoft’s four cybersecurity best practices, the first is to operate regular education programs to make employees aware of the importance of endpoint security. This can prevent security incidents, raise awareness of cyber threats, and strengthen the security culture of the entire organization.
It is also important to regularly apply the latest security patches for software and operating systems. If you neglect security patches, hackers can exploit known vulnerabilities to penetrate your system, so you should establish a systematic patch management process.
Second, multi-factor authentication (MFA) should be introduced during the user authentication process to prevent account theft and enhance security. Multi-factor authentication provides an additional layer of security, making it difficult for hackers to access.
Finally, you should conduct regular security checks to evaluate the effectiveness of your endpoint security solutions and perform updates and improvements as needed. These checks can help you discover and respond to potential vulnerabilities in advance, contributing to improving your overall security level.
Meanwhile, the industry is paying attention to AI-based security solutions and zero-trust architecture as the latest trends in endpoint security. Zero-trust architecture is fundamentally an approach that does not trust all access and continuously verifies the identity of users and devices, thereby further enhancing the level of security.