Computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets and printers have become an integral part of modern business equipment. However, it is also important to take a look at the security of these end devices.

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Endpoints

Computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets and printers have become an indispen­sable part of modern business equipment. With these end devices, however, it is also important to take a look at the security.

What is a terminal device?

End devices, also called endpoints or data terminals, are devices that can beintegrated into a private or public computer or telecommuni­cations network. This enables communi­cation between endpoints or the exchange of data.

Meanwhile, there are a variety of different end devices depending on the context, so the question, "What end devices are there?" cannot be answered in a blanket manner. The most common end devices in companies include, for example, the following devices:

  • Computers
  • Smartphones
  • Fixed line phones
  • Tablets
  • Printer, scanner and copier
  • Server
  • Cash systems
  • ...

End devices can be connected to a network in various ways. This can be the connectionvia a cable, for example with a stand computer that is connected to the Internet via LAN. But it is also possible to connect to a networkvia radio. This is especially true for mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets.

Endpoint Security

Depending on the size and orientation of a company, it can easily happen that a large number of end devices are used. Since every end device can access a company's data, thesecurity of all end devices must be ensured. This is referred to as endpoint security.

Endpoint security protects all of a company's end devices against unauthorized access and the transmission of malware. At the same time, it ensures that the company's compliance requirements are met.

A strategy for securing endpoints consists of two groups of actions:organi­zational and technical measures. The organi­zational measures are designed to minimize application errors by employees. For example, IT security training should be held regularly to teach the proper use of various forms of endpoint devices and the company's internal compliance requirements.

The technical measures for protecting end devices are made up of various aspects.Endpoint Detection and Response Tools (EDR) enable the monitoring of end devices and can thus detect potential threats indepen­dently and at an early stage. In addition, all endpoints should have an up-to-date antivirus , as virus attacks can run through endpoints and cause significant damage.

A fairly simple but effective step in corporate infra­structure security is theregulation of permissions. By only giving employees access to the data they really need, security is increased. If an end device is attacked, not all data in the company is directly affected, but only that to which the device had access.

A man sits at a desk while the rising sun shines through the window and holds up a mobile phone while there is a laptop on the desk.

Endpoint Protection Platforms

In order to keep security risks as low as possible, it is important to detect threats quickly and react immediately. With a Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP) the security information of all end devices is collected and analyzed in a cloud. Thanks to such systems, which are constantly evolving, responsible parties respond well and quickly even to complex and novel attacks. In addition, it is possible to centrally control and execute updates on all devices via an endpoint protection platform. So they do not have to be started manually by each user.