Endpoint security protects user devices, enterprise networks and servers against various digital threats, including zero-day attacks and multivector attacks. It helps stop these threats before they strike.
API endpoints are integrated systems that accept requests from clients. These requests often include path parameters, methods and a list of headers – with results typically taking the form of HTTP status codes and bodies as responses.
What is an endpoint in networking?
Endpoint can be difficult for non-technical people to comprehend. IT pros often find this technical term simple to grasp; but for everyone else it may prove daunting and bewildering.
Endpoints refer to any device connected to a computer network. This includes everyday devices like smartphones, tablets and laptops as well as Internet of Things (IoT) devices like home automation systems or security cameras that connect via the internet. Endpoints pose a huge risk to business networks because they allow attackers direct access to internal resources and infrastructure within an organization.
Duo Unified Endpoint Management offers a dependable unified endpoint management tool with cloud deployment support that effectively protects endpoints without impacting their performance.
IT teams can use it as a single dashboard to keep an overview of all their organizational endpoints, making it simple for them to monitor everything efficiently. This enables businesses to be more resource efficient while meeting today’s Work from Home (WFH) culture requirements. To gain more information on integrating unified endpoint management solutions into your company, read up on what we cover on our blog: We outline five crucial capabilities needed for successful cybersecurity strategies and explain how unified endpoint protection tools can assist.
Examples of Endpoints
Endpoints can take many forms: hardware devices like desktop computers, laptops, smartphones and tablets as well as virtual environments that enable remote employees to work from any location. There is also the Internet of Things (IoT), with connected home and car devices, drones and other “smart” appliances all making up endpoints.
All endpoints require proper security measures, including an antivirus solution and patches that address vulnerabilities that could allow unauthorized access and data leakage. Such safeguards may also include endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions.
EDR gives you visibility and control over all endpoints within your network, helping to quickly identify device activity and respond to it in real-time, thus preventing security breaches from taking place.
An API endpoint is the digital node or location where applications/software interact in order to retrieve responses against API calls from customers/API clients. An endpoint works similar to a URL in that it contains path parameters and destination paths – with GET being the most commonly used path parameter; POST, PUT and DELETE may also be employed as appropriate. Furthermore, endpoint locations often sport unique colors for ease of locating within documentation – often known as endpoint labels.
What is not an endpoint?
An endpoint marks the end of a range or interval and may be either inclusive or exclusive, for instance in [3, 7], with its inclusive endpoint being 3 and its exclusive endpoint being 7.
Other common IT devices that aren’t endpoints include infrastructure devices like servers, routers, network interface controller (NIC) switches, hubs and modems. These devices are used directly for network monitoring; whether through hardware that connects directly to the internet (like modems) or software solutions with integrations into third party services that transfer data back and forth.
Note that firewalls should not be considered endpoint security solutions as they only block malware from entering a network; endpoint security solutions detect and eliminate it once detected, providing multiple layers of defense for optimal system protection. Having both solutions implemented offers maximum coverage.
To create an endpoint, choose “Enter new Endpoint”. Once selected, you will be asked if this Endpoint is affiliated with another organization by answering Yes or No; search options include National Provider Identification Number (NPI), Employer Identification Number (EIN), Legal Business Name etc… Once located it will display as an Affiliation with an asterisk symbol to complete this step and save!
Why do attackers target endpoints?
Cybercriminals see endpoints as potential entryways into business networks, using each device as an opportunity to breach and gain entry, potentially stealing or disrupting data or systems. A study by Ponemon and Keeper discovered that 80 percent of attacks involved endpoints as an entry point into an attack strategy.
While the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in greater work-from-home arrangements and smart devices connected to the internet – such as printers, appliances and IoT equipment that now connect – it also created new opportunities for attacks. Employees brought their personal devices to work and connected them via public Wi-Fi or USB ports while working remotely – potentially opening them up to security vulnerabilities if these devices weren’t up-to-date or protected with updates and patches regularly applied.
Implementing an effective endpoint protection strategy should be a top priority for every organization, and there are plenty of innovative solutions on the market that meet this need. AI/ML provides detailed visibility into device behavior that helps security teams quickly respond to malware or other threats to mitigate damage or limit impact; plus these technologies free IT teams up for more pressing priorities while strengthening overall security posture of businesses.
What is endpoint management?
Endpoint management refers to an organization’s process for controlling, monitoring and protecting devices on its network. This typically entails both software and hardware designed to shield endpoints from attacks while maintaining connectivity to the network and keeping data safe.
An essential component of any company’s cybersecurity strategy, especially as people work more remotely and on personal devices across many industries, such as software and technology firms must protect their IT infrastructure while permitting employees to connect to it via personal laptops, smartphones or tablets; such devices serve as entryways for cyber attacks that bypass traditional corporate firewalls and other measures.
Construction and manufacturing also demand strong endpoint management due to teams dispersed throughout a project site or factory, each carrying sensitive information on their devices that must be securely synced up with company networks without disrupting work in progress or exposing sensitive details.
Healthcare companies must also safeguard the data on devices belonging to patients as any breach could expose confidential patient data. While breaches can be difficult to detect, endpoint management tools can assist by monitoring each device for suspicious activity and issuing warnings if suspicious activity is found on any particular one. In addition, these systems enforce screen locks and passwords as well as remotely wiping them in case the device goes missing or gets stolen.
Final Thoughts
Endpoints are at the core of every enterprise network and pose an immense cybersecurity threat. With remote work and BYOD policies becoming more widespread, it has never been more crucial to monitor every device that connects to it – from printers, IoT devices and guest WiFi to laptops, tablets and smartphones used by employees.
Enterprises typically employ firewalls, endpoint protection tools and antivirus software to safeguard sensitive information, prevent unauthorized access to critical IT systems and combat malware threats. Unfortunately, cyber attackers have proven adept at bypassing these traditional security controls.
Therefore, modern and comprehensive endpoint security solutions must be utilized to identify and thwart these attacks in real time. The ideal solutions use advanced machine learning capabilities to monitor both physical and virtual devices continuously in order to quickly detect, analyze and neutralize even the most dangerous threats.
An effective endpoint protection solution should automatically rotate and secure local administrator passwords to prevent credential theft; block unknown applications from running on an endpoint; detect and protect against advanced persistent threats (APTs), such as those found in JavaScript, VBscript, PowerShell macros as well as JavaFX exploits; plus remotely lock, erase or factory reset devices/passwords as necessary in order to safeguard data loss prevention and ensure compliance with security policies.