What Is Endpoint Management?

Endpoint management is a cybersecurity practice that relies on authentication and oversight of endpoint devices. Network managers determine whether or not an endpoint device has the right to access a secure network.

Cybersecurity policies are applied to endpoint devices to determine whether or not they threaten the system and protect the network from any potentially damaging effects if the endpoint does raise security alerts.

Endpoints include smartphones, laptops, tablets, smart devices, desktop computers, and other work tools that exchange information with the organization network. Since they are constantly communicating with the network and creating new data, each endpoint presents a dynamic potential threat to the cybersecurity of the whole network.

Endpoint management works to mitigate the effects of this ever-changing system by monitoring access points, communicating updates and alerts across organization channels, enacting system updates, and deploying security responses. The endpoint management system provides all these services from a single consolidated access point or console.

Benefits of Endpoint Management

Endpoint security management provides network owners and managers with an easy, fast, advanced level of security for protecting their networks.

The benefits of endpoint management security software include:

Advanced level security communications throughout the whole organization
Rapid responses and processes to handle potential cybersecurity threats
Quick distribution of the newest cybersecurity technology
Lower costs than other cybersecurity strategies, with greater security benefits
Foundations for seamlessly implementing more advanced security measures in the future, including automation and cloud-based solutions
Open architecture prepares the way for new developments in security management

Features of Endpoint Management

Endpoint management cybersecurity provides several features for network managers. Using endpoint management software and strategies, network owners can:

Consolidate resources. Network managers can use endpoint management software to manage all devices and applications from one centralized application or console.

Enact and supervise endpoint security procedures across the whole network by installing smaller-scale software apps on every managed device.

Determine whether or not endpoint devices should be granted access to the network.

Limit network access exclusively to endpoint devices and their users that have been authorized in advance. These pre-authorized users can be attempting to access the network through a broad network, such as the internet or systems located on location.

How Endpoint Management Works

Every organization must create and enact its endpoint management policies to ensure the best security practices for its network. Crucially, this includes centralized management of every device that gains access to the network.

The organization’s IT team or expert should work with the management to determine who can be granted permission to gain access to the organization’s network and how to restrict access. Network access can be granted to specific users, limited to certain types of devices, or restricted to certain geographical access points.

Network access can be customized, meaning different users can access different facets of the network, including secure remote file storage, particular work processes, and other applications.

Endpoint managers are responsible for maintaining and updating secure firewall software, intrusion detection system, and up-to-date antivirus software. Endpoint managers may also embed encrypted tokens on specific devices to ensure those users are authorized to gain network access. These may include biometric keys, such as fingerprint scans or voice analysis.

Managers update all network systems and regularly analyze the endpoint devices and the network itself, seeking out weak spots and applying security patches and updates to prevent vulnerabilities. Endpoint managers maintain control over all network devices through one central console, which can help prevent individual mistakes made by unaware users.

Endpoint Management vs. Mobile Device Managment

Endpoint management, also known as Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) differs from Mobile Device Management (MDM), in many ways. MDM software provided an earlier version of security management that applied specifically to mobile devices.

While MDM allowed individuals to apply security policies to their mobile devices, these policies were often specific to one type of device. In other words, an MDM security policy could be enacted on Android devices but not iOS devices, or vice versa. Like endpoint management, MDM security provides faster deployment of security policies and the ability to audit devices.

Endpoint management provides more of a blanket solution on a larger scale than MDM since it can be applied to every device throughout an organization’s network.

Endpoint Management vs. Enterprise Mobility Management

Endpoint management can also be compared to Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM). EMM tools combine MDM and application supervision into one unified security tool. EMM was developed to answer the growing trend in business towards encouraging employees to bring their own devices to work, using personal devices for company interactions.

EMM provided the next evolution of security management, allowing network managers more widespread control over many mobile devices and applications. Contemporary endpoint management has continued this evolution, allowing network managers to maintain control over mobile devices and desktop computers, data, and apps across the entire organization.

FAQ

Why do organizations need endpoint management?

Endpoint management is essential because endpoint devices present a possible cybersecurity threat. Threat actors can use endpoint devices as entry points to enact cyberattacks using malware, ransomware, spyware, viruses, and other cybersecurity threats that can cause damage to the secure network.

Endpoint management helps prevent cyberattacks and protect the security and privacy of the organization’s network, including any sensitive data stored there.

What is the role of an endpoint manager?

An endpoint security manager oversees an organization’s network system’s cybersecurity tools, features, and policies. They monitor access points and deploy mitigation procedures in the event of a cybersecurity breach. They also prioritize and install security system updates, ensure that each endpoint device complies with the necessary security measures, supervise access attempts and authorized users within a network, and maintain security baselines.

What is an example of an endpoint?

An endpoint device is any device that provides access to an internet network by exchanging and communicating data with that network. Standard endpoint devices include smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers, AR or VR devices, servers, and smart devices. Smart security systems, smart speakers, smart lighting, and smartwatches can all be considered endpoints- and thus potential entry points into the system.

What is the difference between an API and an endpoint?

Endpoints and APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) differ in one way: while an endpoint forms part of an API, an API is not necessarily an endpoint. An API is a set of rules that provides two different applications with the ability to share resources, while an endpoint serves as the location where these resources exist. APIs retrieve resources from the endpoints where they are stored.

BlackBerry for UEM

BlackBerry^® UEM securely enables the Internet of Things with complete endpoint management and policy control for your diverse and growing fleet of devices and apps. With its single management console and trusted end-to-end security, BlackBerry UEM provides flexibility and security to keep your employees connected and protected so they can work from practically any device, anywhere.

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