In the last two years, the transformation of the workplace to an expansive remote workforce has created a shift in the IT infrastructure of most organizations across the globe. Accompanying this shift to a remote workforce is a significant increase in cyber security threats to organizational networks through endpoints, making endpoint security a vital part of business defences.
It can be challenging to protect endpoint devices because it is difficult to secure what you cannot see. Without full visibility, you leave potential gateways into your network exposed. This has led to a significant focus on endpoint security which involves the proactive protection of computer networks that are remotely connected to devices such as laptops, tablets, mobile phones, and other wireless devices to corporate networks. According to IDC, endpoints are the origin of 70% of successful security breaches. Endpoints create attack paths for cyber security threats and mitigating these threats is a critical part of managing a modern remote workforce. “Endpoint Security Management is a policy-based approach to network security that requires endpoint devices to comply with specific criteria before they are granted access to network resources.” says Vincent Yeung, Manager Network and Open Systems/CISO, Cover-All Managed Cloud and IT Services. It utilizes tools to manage and control computing devices that request access to the corporate network and involves defining a level of compliance to standards that work to protect computer networks.
“All too often the victims of these cyber attacks are small to medium sized businesses who don’t believe they’re a primary target for hackers and neglect to perform the basic maintenance of their endpoint security.”, says Yeung. According to Hiscox’s Cyber Readiness Report 2019, attacks on small to mid-sized businesses continue to increase with 47% of small businesses and 63% of mid-sized businesses having experienced cyber-attacks. According to Verizon’s Data Breach Investigation Report these attacks cost SMB’s on average $200,000 and 60% of these businesses go out of business within 6 months of an attack.
Security awareness training is also a key defence to mitigating endpoint risk. An IBM study found that 95% of cyber security breaches were as a result of human error. Human error includes a variety of unintentional actions taken by employees in the course of their regular business day. As a result of these unintentional activities malware-infected attachments may be downloaded, relying on contact information provided in e-mails, and using weak passwords. Security awareness training seeks to address and prevent many of these unintentional events from exposing businesses to cyber security risks. “Effective security awareness training helps employees combat information security breaches by understanding the security risks associated with their actions and helping them to identify, prevent and report potential cyber-attacks they may encounter.”, says RJ Sahi, Sr. VP Strategic Partnerships, CyberWolfe Inc.
The landscape of the workforce has permanently changed with 74% of professionals expecting work-from-home to become standard practice and 97% of employees say they don’t want to return to the office full-time. With many businesses announcing they will give their employees the option to permanently work remotely, endpoint security and cyber security awareness training will be vital parts of a company’s risk management programs for the foreseeable future.
ABOUT COVER-ALL MANAGED CLOUD and IT SERVICES
Cover-All Managed Cloud and IT Services is an MSP delivering cost effective solutions for Managed Cloud, Managed IT, Cyber Security, Co-Location, Backup & Recovery/DR and Cloud & IT Consulting Services.
For more information on our Services please call us at 1-833-268-3733 or visit our website at www.msp.cover-all.ca.
ABOUT CYBERWOLFE INC.
CyberWolfe was founded in 2020 by a University of Toronto educator and student who teamed up to build a highly skilled and technical team comprised of individuals committed to mitigating cyber risk that is actively threatening Canadian businesses today. All members are graduates of the University of Toronto accelerated cyber security program, and have diverse backgrounds and skill sets to assess, analyze and report on the security of your organization’s IT environment.
For more information on our Services please call us at 1-877-542-9237 or visit our website at www.cyberwolfe.com.