In our last blog post, we introduced, defined, and explained Endpoint Security Management and why your company should have endpoint protection in place. In part two of this series, we explore how and why the shift to working remotely is changing the IT and cybersecurity landscape and increasing the need for endpoint security tools.
Working Remotely Has Changed the Technology Game
It’s not a stretch to say that the sudden shift to working from home in 2020 thanks to COVID-19 caught a lot of people and companies by surprise. In an instant, everything changed with new policies, procedures, and, in some cases, technologies, created on the spot. In a study conducted by Sailpoint, “97% of executives agreed that COVID-19 sped up digital transformation by 6 years.”1 IT departments and companies became slammed as the need for rapid technology implementations arose, and the rush to “get things done” resulted in gaps and increased risks in security and compliance.
The transition to remote work has widened the playing field for cybercriminals and makes companies even more open and vulnerable to an attack, as networks, systems, and devices are no longer in one easy-to-control location. It is now more important than ever to have up-to-date cybersecurity solutions and policies in place so you don’t become the victim of an attack.
Opening the Door to an Attack
Did you know that the most vulnerable endpoints in an organization’s network (aka the easiest way to get into) are smartphones, laptops, and mobile devices?2 If you’re thinking “my company issues computers and smartphones to employees, and those devices have endpoint protection and other cybersecurity software in place, so we’re not vulnerable”, I have news for you.
33% of US employees admit to using their own personal computer and smartphone for remote work purposes, while only 17% use a computer or smartphone issued to them by their company.1
And, those personal devices are also being shared and used by spouses, children, friends, and family. This cross-pollination of devices creates multiple access points and vectors for an attacker to get into your network and introduces a host of new security vulnerabilities.
But, devices themselves are not the only risk to consider. There are a multitude of attack vectors that cybercriminals use to exploit vulnerabilities:
-
- More than 50% of US employees under the age of 55 report that they use public, unsecured WiFi for business-related tasks.1
-
- Sharing sensitive company data and communicating important information through cloud platforms widens the threat landscape for cybercriminals.1
-
- While 69% of companies require employees to use authentication methods, only 35% of them require multi-factor authentication.2
-
- 51% of respondents in a study shared that exploits and malware have evaded their organizations’ intrusion detection systems, and 49% report that they’ve evaded their company’s antivirus solutions.2
-
- More than 50% of US employees haven’t changed their work passwords in the last 6 months and 32% haven’t updated a password in the previous 6 to 12 months or longer.1
So, now that you know just how wide-open your endpoints are, what can you do to mitigate risks? Yes, you can regularly update passwords, train employees, mandate that they only use company-issued devices for work-related tasks, work with secure files and platforms, and use antivirus software. But, that’s not enough. You need constant endpoint monitoring, detection, and response. You need an Endpoint Security Management partner.
Secure Your Endpoints. Secure Your Company.
It seems, sadly, that many companies have adopted a “set it and forget it” mindset when it comes to their endpoint management solutions.
In a study conducted by The Ponemon Institute, less than half of the respondents reported that they are monitoring their network 24/7 and protecting company-owned devices with up-to-date antivirus software, device encryption, firewalls, and continual system patches.2
We know it can be a complex, time-consuming process, but the time and resources it would take you to fix things after an endpoint breach are much more overwhelming and consuming.
Our Endpoint Security Management platform provides you with certified, dedicated industry experts who will ensure endpoints are secured, patches are implemented immediately, updates are done routinely, your network is monitored 24/7, and more.
Discover how Alpine Cyber can partner with you for this essential cybersecurity solution and give you peace of mind that your remote workforce is protected.
Get Started With Your Endpoint Security Management Partnership
Sources:
1 The Cybersecurity Pandora’s Box by Sailpoint
2 Cybersecurity in the Remote Work Era by Ponemon Institute
