Introduction to Endpoint Security Monitoring

Endpoint security protects endpoints, like desktops, workstations, servers, smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices, from threats. Cyberattacks are happening more frequently, and the attacks are becoming more sophisticated and hard to detect. As the threat environment has evolved, businesses have had to update endpoint security strategies to better safeguard their data.

In the past, many businesses relied on a single solution, such as antivirus software, and to defend against attacks effectively. But unfortunately, antivirus software is no longer enough. To fully protect against the broad spectrum of threats, you must be able to protect not just the network but also the endpoints that connect to it.   

Defending against modern cyber-attacks at the device level requires a different approach. First, developing a system that uses a higher level of behavioral detection is necessary to discover threats that conventional network defenses can’t recognize. 

What is the Point of Endpoint Security?

As workforces become more geographically dispersed, the risk of a breach increases exponentially. While we recognize that giving employees access to data via their laptops, home computers, and mobile devices is essential for their ability to work off-site, unfettered access comes at the compromise of security. In fact, 68% of respondents in a 2020 survey said that the frequency of attacks against endpoints is increasing.

Outside your company’s firewall, every device connecting to your internal networks represents a new vulnerability. Not only do your employees have varying levels of understanding about how to keep data safe, but there are also differences between the relative security of one device from the next. As a result, a sophisticated phishing attempt can succeed against even the most conscientious employee. In the absence of a centralized endpoint monitoring tool, endpoint security teams are largely unable to defend against these attacks successfully.  

For these reasons, endpoint devices are a frequent target of criminals, making endpoint security a critical element of your data security infrastructure. 

Endpoint Monitoring Challenges

Endpoint monitoring is the process of tracking and managing devices that connect to a computer network. Endpoint monitoring has recently become an important security measure for organizations. However, organizations face several challenges when it comes to monitoring the devices that connect to their networks. One challenge is that the number of devices that need monitoring continues to grow. Another challenge is that the devices themselves are becoming more complex and difficult to manage. Additionally, many organizations lack the resources to monitor their endpoints effectively. 

Here are some of the most common challenges impeding endpoint security efforts: 

Remote work

In the past, the workplace was a physical space where people gathered to share ideas and complete tasks. Today, many people have jobs that allow them to work from anywhere in the world as long as they have an internet connection. While this offers employees more flexibility and freedom, it also creates new challenges for companies trying to keep their data and networks secure. 

Malware/Ransomware

Malware and ransomware are a challenge for endpoint security. Many different types of malware can do damage. Malware can disable your computer, steal your data, or even take over your computer to use for criminal activities. Ransomware breaches your server, locks it, and then demands payment to unlock it. If you don’t pay, the ransomware can delete your data. 

For security teams, malware and ransomware are challenging problems to solve when a company has unsecured endpoints. For example, malware on an employee’s phone can stay undetected for months if you don’t have the right endpoint security tools.  

Mobile security

The proliferation of mobile devices has created a challenge for endpoint security. While these devices offer many benefits, they also present significant security risks. Mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, are a major vulnerability for companies. They can be easily lost or stolen and are vulnerable to attack due to lax security practices.  

In addition, many employees use their personal devices for work purposes. This creates security vulnerabilities, as personal devices may not include the same security protections as company-owned devices. 

Data loss

The constant threat of data loss and the multitude of ways a breach can occur present a critical challenge for endpoint security. Data loss can happen in several ways, including malware infections, employee errors, and stolen devices. To fully protect against data loss, organizations need to use a combination of security technologies and policies.

Visibility

Endpoint security is a critical element of overall cybersecurity, but ensuring that all endpoints are adequately protected can be difficult. One reason for this is the sheer number of endpoints that can exist in an organization and the fact that many of them are not under the direct control of IT. Another challenge is visibility: it can be difficult to know when an endpoint has been compromised or is about to be compromised.

Insider threats

While many organizations have focused on protecting their networks from external threats, they often overlook the dangers posed by connected insiders. Insiders can exploit vulnerabilities in an organization’s systems and networks in various ways, including stealing or leaking confidential information, sabotaging systems, or conducting phishing attacks. In fact, the 2022 Cost of Insider Threats: Global Report reveals that the damage caused by insider threat incidents far outpaces other types of cyberattacks, with costs averaging $15.38 million.

Best Tools for Endpoint Monitoring 

Endpoint security is one of the most essential components of your cybersecurity strategy, but it can be hard to know what type of tool you need. While many endpoint security services focus on protecting devices and networks, the best tools for endpoint security focus on user behavior. By identifying and monitoring risky behaviors, these tools can help organizations protect their data and systems from accidental or malicious breaches.

How Endpoint Monitoring with Teramind Keeps Your Data Safe 

Teramind is a comprehensive endpoint data loss prevention solution that can help organizations of all sizes secure their data. Their endpoint security software monitors user activity and provides alerts when sensitive data is accessed or transferred in an unauthorized manner and can even block user actions when they violate policy. Teramind also includes features that allow organizations to restrict access to specific applications and websites.

User activity monitoring

User activity monitoring is the process of tracking and recording user activity on a computing device or network. Organizations can monitor user activity to keep their data safe from accidental or unauthorized changes, deletions, or access. Activity monitoring can also help identify malicious or unauthorized activity, which can then be investigated and addressed.

Website monitoring

Teramind offers website monitoring tools to alert you when employees engage in unauthorized behavior online. In addition, you get detailed reports on internet usage by departments, teams, and individuals, so you have visibility into how employees interact with external websites. Teramind’s website monitoring feature lets you monitor productivity at your endpoints and provides alerts warning of unauthorized file transfers or unusually long idle times. 

Business Intelligence & Reporting

Business intelligence and reporting is an essential part of endpoint monitoring because it collects endpoint monitoring data and analyzes it to create powerful behavior analytics providing insights into the workforce’s security risks. Teramind’s endpoint monitoring tools assist IT security in identifying potential security and compliance risks through their integrated Business Intelligence Dashboard. With the insights generated by this powerful tool, you can better understand user behavior’s role in data breaches and take steps to mitigate insider threats and prevent compliance failures.   

File Transfer & Web File Tracking 

One way to protect your data is with file transfer and web file tracking services. Teramind’s endpoint monitoring services also track file activity to detect the signs of a breach or compromise. When configured to enforce your company’s file management policies, this tool will monitor your network for anomalous activity by tracking uploads, downloads, deletions, and overwrites for company files. With their endpoint monitoring solution, you receive notifications when users upload files to cloud-based servers and can track files as they move throughout your network. 

Centralized Endpoint Security Management

One way to help protect your data is by using centralized endpoint security management. This approach allows you to control and monitor all of your devices from a single location. By centrally managing endpoint security, businesses can keep their data safe from unauthorized access and theft. There are many benefits to using a centralized approach, including increased visibility into endpoint activity, improved compliance posture, and enhanced protection against cyber threats. 

Keystroke Logger

A keystroke logger is a device that records the keys struck on a keyboard. Keyloggers keep your data safe by registering passwords and other sensitive information. They can also monitor employee activity and ensure users are not accessing unauthorized websites or leaking company information.

Essential Considerations for Choosing an Endpoint Monitoring and Management Tool

Endpoint monitoring tools are essential to keeping your computer and business secure. Many different endpoint monitoring tools are available on the market, so how do you choose the right one for your needs? When selecting an endpoint monitoring and management tool, you should consider the following essential considerations. 

Complete Endpoint Visibility

Endpoint visibility is a critical consideration when choosing an endpoint monitoring and management tool. The ability to see all endpoints in your environment, regardless of location or status, is essential for gaining a complete view of your environment and identifying and addressing issues quickly. In addition, comprehensive endpoint visibility can help you identify rogue or unauthorized devices on your network and protect your organization from potential security threats. 

Endpoint Software Control

Endpoint software control is another factor to consider when choosing an endpoint monitoring and management tool. Businesses can manage and monitor devices more effectively by controlling the software on endpoints and improving security and compliance. Additionally, endpoint software control can help reduce IT support costs by automating the installation and management of software on devices. Therefore, when evaluating endpoint monitoring and management tools, businesses should ensure that the tool includes robust endpoint software control capabilities.

IT Asset Management

IT asset management involves monitoring and optimizing the use of IT assets in an organization. The managed assets include everything from servers and storage to laptops and smartphones. When it comes to endpoint monitoring and management, you want to choose a tool that will integrate well with your IT asset management system.  

Threat Detection

When choosing an endpoint monitoring and management tool, it is important to consider its ability to detect threats. A comprehensive endpoint monitoring tool should be able to see both known and unknown threats, including malware, ransomware, and other attacks. You should also consider how the service detects and prevents attacks. The best endpoint monitoring tools block known threats and protect your organization’s computers from being compromised.

Reporting and Alerting

The reporting and alerting capabilities of your endpoint monitoring service allow you to track the state of your endpoints and identify any potential issues. Alerting will enable you to be notified when there is a problem with an endpoint so that you can take action quickly.

Conclusion

The extent of the damage and disruption that endpoint breaches can cause makes incident response vital. Investing in a comprehensive endpoint security service helps organizations to reduce the risk of incidents by obstructing attacks and containing attacks earlier in the kill chain. Advanced tools such as Teramind automate the monitoring and intervention required to respond to an incident, giving you critical alerts.

Harness the power of endpoint monitoring with Teramind