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Enterprise Security Magazine | Monday, January 09, 2023
Emerging work practices make endpoint devices more vulnerable to cyber attacks through increasing digital infrastructure, remote and hybrid work opportunities, and the use of personal devices.
FREMONT, CA: Remote and hybrid-work company policies are changing the scope of communication technologies and cyber security practices. Companies are at greater risk due to endpoint devices' exposure to multiple connections and networks. It is more likely for small and medium-sized companies to experience data breaches, cyberattacks, and network intrusion. Remote work makes it difficult to manage security best practices.
Security teams need to improve their cyber security approach due to the following challenges to endpoint security.
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Expanding threat landscape: Traditionally, companies had a few endpoint devices like desktops, network devices, printers, and servers. Attackers had a limited scope of accessing a company's files if the devices were well-secured. With digital adoption, companies need to secure a greater host of endpoint devices and connections like virtualized servers, personal laptops, phones, internet of things (IoT) devices, smart environmental controls, and even wearable technologies. Cybersecurity teams find it challenging to manage all devices effectively. The threat landscape is expanding as developers frequently introduce new technologies.
Shifting workforce: The cyber attack space is growing with the number of companies offering hybrid and remote options. More devices are vulnerable to cyber threats. Employees work from multiple geolocations and must connect to a single corporate network through virtual private networks (VPN). Employees use other connections like hotspots and public WiFi that provide easy access to cyber attackers. Attackers gain access through unprotected connections to introduce malicious software that allows them to access traffic between an endpoint and a corporate network.
Personal devices: Companies offering remote work encourage employees to use their own devices as this saves costs and liabilities. If the user uses an older software version, personal devices do not offer updated security measures. Companies face greater network insecurity from exposed and unprotected connections. Companies are at greater risk if their employees' devices get stolen, as personal devices have weaker security measures than company-issued devices.
Shadow IT: Employees download unauthorized applications that make devices more vulnerable. Organizational and client data are vulnerable to breaches as these applications share files. Unauthorized applications do not provide effective data security options and can potentially access data and the network.
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