Source: Comodo Enterprise
Endpoint security refers to the approach of protecting an endpoint business network when accessed by remote devices like smartphones, laptops, tablets, or other wireless devices. It includes monitoring status, software, and activities. The endpoint protection software is installed on all network servers and on all endpoint devices. With the proliferation of mobile devices like laptops, smartphones, tablets, notebooks, etc., there has been a sharp increase in the number of devices being lost or stolen as well. These incidents potentially translate as a huge loss of sensitive data for enterprises which allows their employees to bring in these mobile devices (enterprise-provided or otherwise) into their enterprise. To solve this problem, enterprises have to secure the enterprise data available on these mobile devices of their employees in such a way that even if the device falls into the wrong hands, the data should stay protected. This process of securing enterprise endpoints is known as endpoint security. Apart from this it also helps enterprises successfully prevent any misuse of their data which they’ve made available on the employee’s mobile devices. (Example: a disgruntled employee trying to cause a nuisance to the enterprise or someone who may be a friend of the employee trying to misuse the enterprise data available on the device).
Endpoint Security Definition:
Endpoint Security is often confused with a number of other network security tools like antivirus, firewall, and even network security. In this page, we list some of the differences between endpoint security (or) endpoint protection and the network against various evolving security threats of today.
Why Is It Called ‘Endpoint’ Security?
As you can realize, every device which can connect to a network poses considerable danger. And as these devices are placed outside of the corporate firewall on the edge of the network using which individuals have to connect to the central network, they are called as endpoints. Meaning endpoints of that network. As already stated endpoint can be any mobile device ranging from laptops to the notebooks of today, which can be connected to a network. And the strategy you employ in security these endpoints is known as ‘endpoint security.
Endpoint Security Is Not The Same As Antivirus
Although the objective of endpoint security solutions is the same – secure devices – there is a considerable difference between endpoint security and antivirus. Antivirus is about protecting PC(s), – single or many depending upon the type of antivirus being deployed – whereas endpoint security covers the entire picture. It’s about securing every aspect of the network. Endpoint security usually includes ‘provisions for application whitelisting, network access control, endpoint detection, and response’, things which are usually not available in antivirus packages. It can also be said that antivirus packages are simpler forms of endpoint security.
Endpoint Security Is Different For Consumers and Enterprises
Endpoint security solutions can be broadly classified into 2 different types. One for the consumers and the other for enterprises. The major difference between the two is that there’s no centralized management and administration for consumers, whereas, for enterprises, centralized management is necessary. This central administration (or server) streamlines the configuration or installation of endpoint security software on individual endpoint devices and performance logs and other alerts are sent to the central administration server for evaluation and analysis.
What Do These Endpoint Security Solutions Typically Contain?
While there’s certainly no limit to what endpoint security can contain – and this list is only going to expand in the future – there are some applications that are core to any endpoint security solution. (Because, well, securing a network is altogether a different ball game from securing a computer). Some of these applications are firewalls, antivirus tools, internet security tools, mobile device management tools, encryption, intrusion detection tools, mobile security solutions, etc, to name a few.
Traditional Vs Modern Endpoint Security
This is a no-brainer. Yet something which needs to be pointed out. Because enterprises are often reluctant to changes. Even if it is for their own good. But endpoint security is one area where enterprises have no choice but to adopt modern endpoint security. Because they are much more than just an anti-malware tool that can go a long way in securing your network against various evolving security threats of today.
Difference between Endpoint Security and Antivirus
Antivirus is one of the components of endpoint security. Whereas endpoint security is a much broader concept including not just antivirus but many security tools (like Firewall, HIPS system, White Listing tools, Patching, and Logging/Monitoring tools, etc.,)3/8 for safeguarding the various endpoints of the enterprise (and the enterprise itself against these endpoints) and from different types of security threats. More precisely, endpoints security employs a server/client model for protecting the various endpoints of the enterprise. The server would have a master instant of the security program and the clients (endpoints) would have agents installed within them. These agents would communicate with the server the respective devices’ activities like the devices’ health, user authentication/authorization, etc., and thus keep the endpoints secure. Whereas antivirus is usually a single program responsible for scanning, detecting, and removing viruses, malware, adware, spyware, ransomware, and other such malware. Simply put, antivirus is a one-stop-shop for securing your home networks, and endpoint security are suitable for securing enterprises, which are larger and much more complex to handle.
Difference between Endpoint Security and Network Security
Endpoint security is about securing your enterprise endpoints (mobile devices like laptops, smartphones, and more) – and, of course, the enterprise against the dangers posed by these endpoints as well – whereas network security is about taking security measures for protecting your entire network (the whole IT infrastructure) against various security threats. The main difference between endpoint security and network security is that in the case of the former, the focus is on securing endpoints, and in the case of the latter, the focus is on securing the network. Both types of security are important. Ideally, it’s best to start by securing the endpoints and building them out. You wouldn’t leave the doors to your home open, just because there’s a security guard out there, would you? In the same sense, both are important and should be given equal importance, starting from the endpoints and slowly building out. In very simple terms, your network would be secure only if your endpoints are secured first. This you should make note of before starting to look for endpoint security and network security products.
Difference between Endpoint Security and Firewall
Firewalls are responsible for filtering the traffic flowing into and going out of your network based on ‘a set of security rules’. Like, for example, restricting traffic flowing into the network from a particular potentially dangerous website. Whereas endpoint security concerns itself not just with network filtering but performs many other tasks like patching, logging, and monitoring etc., for safeguarding the endpoints. Both antivirus and firewall are crucial elements of endpoint security. Their objective remains the same, though the model adopted (client/server model) and the number of computers they protect differ. And within the endpoint security model, operating with other security tools, they become even more efficient.
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Difference between Endpoint Security and Endpoint Protection
Both are pretty much the same. Their primary objective is the same – to safeguard the endpoints as well as the enterprise against the dangers they pose. But there is a subtle difference. Endpoint security usually refers to an on-premise solution. Whereas Endpoint Protection refers to a cloud-based solution. An on-premise solution is a solution that has to be installed on the network for deployment and a cloud-based solution is one that is available in the cloud and enterprises have to subscribe to it.
Windows 10 and Endpoint Security
Windows 10 although proclaimed to be the safest Windows OS is not without its flaws.
Security experts have proved that the in-built security features of Windows like Windows
Defender, Firewall, etc., to are proving ineffective. Therefore enterprises making use of
Windows 10 OS need endpoint security for safeguarding the various endpoints which
connect to the network and for safeguarding the network itself.