Endpoint Protection and Internet of Things (IoT) Security
5 Min Read
What Needs to Be Secured in Endpoint and IoT Security?
It seems that not long ago, all you needed to protect your technology was an anti-virus software. Now, the sheer magnitude of the IoT, the multitude of endpoints connecting to various networks, and the fact that attacks become more complex year after year means that endpoint protection is more difficult to manage.
What is Endpoint Security?
An endpoint is a physical device that connects to a network and exchanges information with it. While endpoints are most commonly thought of as computers, tablets, smart devices, and servers, IoT functionality has worked its way throughout manufacturing. There are network-connected sensors in places like:
- Airplanes
- ATM machines
- Cars
- Industrial Control Systems
- IP cameras
- Medical devices
- Point-of-sale devices
- Printers
- Smart lighting
- Smart TVs
And more…
Endpoint security in cybersecurity focuses on safeguarding devices from being exploited by malicious actors and cyber threats. Though called “endpoint” protection, it often serves as the first line of defense for a network. As more employees use personal devices, mobile workstations, and cloud-based applications for work, the risk of infections and breaches rises, increasing the demand for robust endpoint security measures. In simple terms, any device that connects to a network is considered an endpoint and requires proper protection.
3 Types of Endpoint Security
Endpoint security protection once simply involved antivirus software and local firewalls. It can now include multiple endpoint protection systems, AI algorithms, automation technologies, and predictive analytics software. The three types of endpoint protection can be categorized as:
Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP)
An EPP provides an integrated suite of endpoint protection technologies — such as antivirus, data encryption, intrusion prevention, and data loss prevention — so threats can be detected and stopped at the endpoint. The platform provides a way for data to be shared between the multitude of endpoint protection technologies, rather than each device having its own system, data, and report.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
Sometimes also referred to as Endpoint Threat Detection and Response (EDTR), EDR monitors the behavior of individual endpoints over time, alerting administrators when a device deviates from what’s been established as normal behavior. It will also analyze the data to detect threat patterns and automatically remove or contain identified threats and communicate the actions to security personnel.
Extended Detection and Response (XDR)
XDR provides detection and response across multiple security controls and data sources. These solutions use data from the tools in a security technology stack to generate a greater context for Security Operations Center (SOC) teams. XDR systems can detect security incidents, automate a response, and integrate data from multiple sources with security analytics to correlate and offer context surrounding security alerts.
Cyber threats and cybercriminals are increasing in their complexity and diversity, as are the number and types of endpoints that access a network. Endpoints are often seen as an easy way into a network, so IT professionals need the functionality of automated analysis and response technologies to be a critical part of that protection.
What are the Benefits of Endpoint Protection?
- Endpoint protection is a must in cybersecurity. It allows cybersecurity teams to quickly:
- Detect any change in all endpoints that connect to a network
- Analyze variations in network activity that could be cyber threats
- Block the IP address an attack is coming from and contain attacks in progress
- Give administrators eyes on advanced threats
- Expedite remediation response times, which minimizes loss, corruption, and downtime
Smartphones, wearable devices, and laptops are just a few of the reasons perimeter security alone doesn’t work. When it’s compounded with remote work, new cloud-based apps, and a growing number of types of endpoints, endpoint protection becomes a crucial part of your security plans.
Having endpoint security set up properly helps companies to avoid:
- Loss of sensitive data
- Damage to a company’s reputation
- Compliance violations that result in loss of finances and could lead to closer monitoring and more restrictions
Internet of Things Security
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical devices embedded with sensors and software that connect to the internet, enabling them to collect, exchange, and act on data. This allows automation, remote monitoring, and enhanced control across industries like smart homes, healthcare, and manufacturing.
IoT security is a subset of endpoint security, so while all IoT devices are considered endpoints, not all endpoints need IoT security. Addressing more than data, servers, and network infrastructure, IoT security also includes the need to monitor and control the state of physical systems.
With IoT working its way into everyday items, we see sensors every day in our homes. These devices make our busy lives easier to manage and open the doors to a world of options. They can also operate as a backdoor to get into company networks.
When IoT is used in places like medical technology in hospitals, industrial control systems, IP cameras, and point-of-sale technology, you need the corporate network to connect the device, which puts it at risk and means it needs to be secured as an endpoint.
IoT products need cybersecurity professionals who can manufacture items with security in mind to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and non-repudiation, keeping the consumer and their information safe.1 They also require engineers to provide updates when vulnerabilities are discovered.
Course Spotlights
If the topic of IoT security and endpoint protection interests you, you might find our Cyber Operations Specialization is for you. You’ll take a deep dive into relevant topics with courses such as:
This course addresses the theory and practice of penetration testing from scoping and information gathering through reporting. Students will identify and exploit host and network vulnerabilities; simulating the real-world activities of malicious threat actors. Prerequisite(s): CYB 339 and CYB 362.
This course explores foundational concepts in the analysis of malicious software. Students will examine how malware is constructed, anti-virus technology, and how to analyze malware. Prerequisite(s): CYB 125 and CYB 362.
Source
- “Defining the IoT.” Retrieved July 3, 2024, from https://subscription.packtpub.com/book/iot-and-hardware/9781788625821/1/ch01lvl1sec10/defining-the-iot.