Many small businesses never consider protecting their network until a breach has happened. Even then, the majority of them only focus on the network and infrastructure, leaving some of the most vulnerable elements, the endpoint devices unprotected.

Endpoint is any device that serves as a source or destination for communication through a network. Servers, desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and printers are all considered endpoint devices.

As the result of the growing trend toward remote work and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies, the endpoint has played an increasingly important role in cybersecurity. 

Endpoint security is part of a comprehensive cybersecurity program that is fast becoming a must-have for all businesses, regardless of size.

Endpoint security is a cybersecurity solution that secures endpoint devices connected to the internet through your network.

Endpoint security solutions use an endpoint protection platform (EPP), which is installed on endpoints, to protect against malware and other intrusions. An EPP may be combined with an endpoint detection and response (EDR) platform that focuses on monitoring, threat detection, and responses.

Endpoint security can use the client-server model (on-premises) for the internal protection of a company’s enterprise or be web-based Security-as-a-Service (SECaaS).

While endpoint security is often associated with antivirus, they are not the same thing. Endpoint security software includes antivirus, but also many other tools for protecting your business.

Antivirus software simply detects and removes known viruses. Endpoint security offers a variety of tools and functionality that protect your company’s devices, network, and data. 

Here are just some of the features endpoint security can have:

• Blocking malicious websites
• Identifying phishing emails
• Stopping dangerous applications
• Running unknown programs in a safe ‘sandbox’ environment
• Scanning Wi-Fi networks for vulnerabilities
• Protecting files and folders from being accessed or encrypted by any programs not explicitly whitelisted (labelled as ‘safe’).  

Because of these additional features, endpoint security solutions are better able to protect against a variety of threats, including ransomware attacks and phishing scams, that often have an easy time getting through traditional antivirus.