The IT industry is rapidly evolving, meaning there is a constant flood of new technology and a surfeit of security threats and defensive considerations that follow. Keeping up with the multitude of new developments can be daunting for any small business, especially while working from home. Staff must be aware of the latest security trends and be well versed in installing, managing, and supporting the diverse and constantly evolving ecosystem.
Despite varying circumstances, small businesses across the board learned the importance of adaptability and resilience in 2020. Over the last year, security risks have surfaced in malware, phishing, data breaches, ransomware, and more. Not only that, but there was also a skyrocket in using SaaS (Software as a Service) communication applications.
Subsequently, cybercriminals used this as an opportunity to target these applications and their respective users. These situations illustrate the importance of keeping your applications up to date with the latest security patches.
Another concern is virtual private network (VPN) connections for employees working from home. Many companies use weak encryption and elementary authentication login methods, which presents many dangers for login security. Also, remote employees may be using unpatched software if the IT team can’t quickly patch off-network devices, which is a security concern. According to the 2020 Verizon Data Breach Investigation Report, exploitation of software vulnerabilities is one of the top ten threat actions used in security breaches.
How Endpoint Management Tools Can Help Your Remote Workforce
Endpoint management is the process of centralizing the management, monitoring, and maintenance of endpoint software, laptops, desktops, mobile, and other devices within a business. Endpoint management tools provide a management interface to automate managed devices’ deployment, configuration, and patching to lessen the burden on IT operations.
Efficient endpoint management tools help tech teams manage devices remotely and keep them secure and up to date. Along with the utilization of endpoint management tools, there are a few other ways that you can help to safeguard your organization. Learn how to place protective barriers between your company and cyber criminals by downloading our cyber security checklist today.
Automated Patch Management
Few businesses have an automated patch management process, affecting their ability to patch promptly. Not only is it essential to patch OSes, but browsers and third-party applicators also need to be taken care of. About one-third of companies apply critical third-party application patches within 30 days of availability, leaving a significant security gap. Automating the patching process ensures that technicians no longer have to worry every time an update is released.
Reliability for VPN Clients
Endpoint management tools should set up and monitor VPN clients on remote endpoints to ensure reliability while using VPN connections. Endpoint management tools can automatically redeploy the VPN client if necessary.
Deploy and Manage Antivirus/Antimalware Solutions
Endpoint management solutions should be able to deploy and manage antivirus/antimalware (AV/AM) solutions. These solutions allow your IT team to utilize a single AV/AM and endpoint management console.
Backup and Disaster Recovery
A bonus for complete endpoint protection is integration with a vigorous backup and disaster recovery solution that provides server backup capabilities and SaaS application data backups for popular apps such as Google G Suite, Office 365, and Salesforce.
Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) provides a second layer of authentication to access systems by requiring users to provide an extra form of identification (password, code, answer to a specific question, etc.). 2FA is one of the easiest methods to prevent cybercriminals from taking advantage of weak or stolen credentials.
How Does Your Solution Stack Up?
Does your endpoint management tool have the capability to perform these specific tasks? Can you scale when required without worrying about increasing security measures for additional endpoints? If not, it’s probably time to look for a new solution that can reduce your workload while providing the IT security that your small business requires. Endpoint management tools must be the central hub for managing the fundamental IT security functions, and the tools themselves must be equally as secure.
At Parried, we understand that while IT is undoubtedly an integral part of your business, maintaining its integrity should be in the background. At the same time, you tend to your company’s primary needs. Finding an outsourced cyber security staff with the perfect blend of certifications, skills, availability, and integrity can be challenging. Our team here has an unwavering passion for technology that helps us deploy strategies that support your growth in efficient and economical ways. Learn more about how we can help keep your systems secure by seeing if you qualify for a free IT consultation today.
