Key Points
- Maintain full device visibility to detect threats early.
- Enforce layered access controls with phishing-resistant multifactor authentication (MFA).
- Use enterprise-grade software for real-time threat detection and response.
- Automate routine IT tasks and patch management to proactively eliminate vulnerabilities.
Endpoints are the doorways to your organization’s data, resources, and other critical information. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are well aware of these touchpoints and often use them as entryways for their cyberattacks.
According to industry data, downtimes cost organizations an average of $49 million in annual revenue, with high-impact outages carrying a median hourly loss of approximately $2 million.
This means that organizations, now more than ever, need to protect their vulnerable endpoints. Safeguarding and managing devices can be quite a hassle, but with these eight endpoint security best practices, you can tackle endpoint management like a pro.
Strengthen IT infrastructure defenses with a robust endpoint management solution.
What are endpoints?
Endpoints are physical devices that connect to and communicate with a network. Here are common examples:
- Laptops
- Computers
- Tablets
- Servers
- Smartphones
Today, more endpoints are mobile. It’s not surprising that some IT teams are tasked to manage more remote laptops, personal smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices in a typical IT network.
While this flexibility supports modern hybrid work, it introduces real security challenges. For instance, recent data suggests only 67% of businesses have implemented formal BYOD security policies, leaving roughly one in three organizations without reliable controls over personal devices connected to their systems.
Why endpoint security is important for enterprises
Endpoint security continues to be a strong priority for enterprises, regardless of industry. After all, data and device security are essential in all modern IT environments for operational efficiency, sustainability, and compliance.
To communicate this better, here are four use cases that endpoint security solutions tend to address long-term in enterprise settings:
1. Rising number of endpoint attacks
Cyberattacks are costly for any business or organization, and unfortunately, the number of endpoint attacks grows every year. In fact, Ponemon Institute research found that 68% of organizations experienced at least one successful endpoint attack resulting in compromised data or IT infrastructure.
According to IBM, a successful endpoint breach can set organizations back by up to $8.94 million. Of that, ransomware and malicious assaults, which are largely preventable, cost an average of $4.62 million and $4.69 million.
2. Need for enterprise-grade data protection
Even if data is not targeted by a cyberattack, organizations still need to protect it from damage or destruction. Since endpoints often house critical work or data, organizations implement endpoint security and management protocols to ensure that the device user’s information is safe, whole, and in the right hands.
3. Growth of remote work and hybrid IT environments
After the COVID-19 shutdown, it became clear that many employees truly enjoy working remotely. A remote work data by Gallup suggests as much, revealing that among US remote workers, as much as 52% work hybrid, while 27% are fully remote.
Because the majority of remote work would not be possible without mobile endpoints, organizations have created stronger, more successful endpoint security processes to ensure that their employees and their data remain safe.
4. Improved threat response and remediation
Although the main purpose of endpoint security is to prevent cyberattacks, sometimes threats do sneak past the defenses. However, when this occurs, having endpoint security measures already in place will help with an IT team’s threat response.
For example, an endpoint security system will allow IT teams to reliably track and identify attackers, and inform them in real-time which endpoints are protected and which ones are compromised.
If you wish to explore this topic more, check out the “Endpoint Security and How It Works” video guide.
10 endpoint security best practices for enterprise IT
Endpoints are the front line of cybersecurity, and protecting them requires a proactive, multi-layered approach. These 10 best practices help organizations reduce risk, improve visibility, and respond effectively to threats.
1. Locate and monitor all network devices
Continuously inventory and monitor all endpoints to detect threats and maintain visibility across your IT environment.
2. Secure endpoint access
Use phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA) and zero-trust principles to ensure only authorized users can access endpoints.
3. Scan endpoints often using EDR
Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor behavior, detect anomalies, and respond to threats in real time.
4. Install all updates, patches, and software
Automate patch management to eliminate vulnerabilities caused by outdated software and reduce exposure to attacks.
5. Use encryption for remote endpoints
Enforce full-disk encryption for all endpoints storing sensitive data to protect against unauthorized access or loss.
6. Create BYOD policies
Establish clear bring-your-own-device (BYOD) security policies to protect corporate data on personal devices.
7. Implement a zero-trust policy
Enforce phishing-resistant MFA, Privileged Identity Management (PIM), and continuous endpoint validation to limit access and reduce risk.
8. Set up post-breach protocols
Automate post-breach protocols to minimize damage, speed up recovery, and ensure business continuity.
9. Implement a comprehensive backup and recovery strategy
Maintain encrypted, tested backups and documented recovery procedures to restore systems quickly after an incident.
10. Leverage AI for faster threat detection and response
Use AI-driven platforms to detect anomalies, flag threats, and autonomously respond to incidents with minimal human intervention.
These measures can help IT teams secure endpoints against evolving threats while maintaining operational resilience. To learn more about how you can stop threats at every device before they escalate, watch the Endpoint Security Explained video.
Gain control and security across every device in your network.
Next steps for endpoint security success
Strengthening endpoint security success for enterprises
Endpoint security and endpoint management work together to fortify enterprise IT and network devices. That’s why NinjaOne offers endpoint management software that integrates with all the best endpoint security tools. In fact, NinjaOne MDM is fully integrated with its endpoint management dashboard, allowing users to also keep track of corporate issues and BYOD mobile devices at scale and at all times.
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