Why is endpoint protection key?
Endpoint Security is one of the most critical aspects of modern cyber security. As corporate environments are increasingly spread across on-premise servers, cloud services and hybrid working models, endpoint devices are becoming a primary target for attackers. Any laptop, desktop, mobile phone or IoT device can be a potential gateway for cyber threats.
Without an adequate endpoint security strategy, organizations can face serious risks, including ransomware attacks, theft of sensitive data and compromise of user identities. The key pillars of effective endpoint protection are:
- Continuous monitoring of device status
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
- Verify device integrity before allowing access
This article will look in detail at these three areas and show how advanced security technologies can be used to minimise cyber risks.
1. Continuous monitoring of equipment status
Telemetry and behavioural analysis
Endpoint monitoring today is not limited to monitoring antivirus signatures. Modern endpoint security tools use advanced telemetry to collect and analyze extensive data about user and device behavior. Key metrics that are evaluated include:
- Network activity: unusual connections to unknown domains or suspicious outgoing traffic
- Processes and running services: running unauthorized or suspicious applications
- System changes: unusual modifications to registries, configurations, or Group Policy (GPO)
In practice, this means that security solutions collect thousands of signals in real time and analyse them using machine learning and behavioural analysis. For example, if a device starts connecting to IP addresses associated with command-and-control (C2) servers, the incident can be escalated immediately.
Role of SIEM and SOAR
For effective management and analysis of this data, SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) and SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) platforms are often used. These tools enable:
- Centralized logging and event correlation
- Automated incident assessment
- Immediate responses, such as isolating the compromised device
An example of an effective deployment is Microsoft Sentinel integrated with Microsoft Defender XDR, which enables advanced analysis and response to threats at the enterprise level.
2. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
How does EDR outperform traditional antiviruses?
Traditional antivirus solutions are already insufficient. EDR tools are designed to:
- They were capturing suspicious activity in real time
- They analyzed threat behavior, not just signatures of known viruses
- Automated response to detected incidents
Let’s imagine an example:
An attacker compromises a company laptop with a spear-phishing email. In a traditional model, he would only be detected if he ran known malware. However, EDR also tracks unusual processes, such as running PowerShell scripts in the context of a running Office document. Once an anomaly is identified, the system can:
- Prevent malicious code execution
- Block communication to a suspicious address
- Activate forensics and block related attacks
MITRE ATT&CK framework
EDR solutions often use the MITRE ATT&CK framework, which is a comprehensive model describing the techniques used by attackers. This allows you to quickly identify whether an attacker is attempting to move laterally through the network (e.g., using pass-the-hash) or attempting to exfiltrate data.
Integration with XDR (Extended Detection and Response)
Even more advanced protection is provided by XDR, which is an enhanced detection and response that includes not only endpoints, but also:
- Network layer
- Cloud applications
- Identity and authentication
For example, Microsoft Defender XDR can link endpoint-level threats to anomalous login activity in Entra ID and automatically enforce multi-factor authentication.
3. Verify device integrity before allowing access
The Zero Trust Principle
Under Zero Trust Security, no device is implicitly trusted. Each device must meet certain security requirements before accessing the corporate network, including:
- User and device identity verification
- Check the security status of the device (for example, whether it has the latest security updates installed)
- Connection risk assessment (for example, detecting connections from infected networks)
Tools for device management and control
Companies today deploy a variety of Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems to verify that devices meet security standards. The most commonly used solutions include:
- Microsoft Intune – enterprise device and application management
- Conditional Access in Entra ID – access control based on dynamic conditions
- SecuRadar
These measures can prevent unsecured devices from accessing critical business applications and reduce the risk of compromise.
How can System4u help with endpoint security?
Ensuring comprehensive endpoint protection requires not only technology solutions, but also experience with their proper deployment and management. To help you implement a security strategy based on the Me Zero Trust approach, SecuRadar offers:
- Real-time monitoring of endpoint security status
- Detection and automated response to cyber threats
