Endpoint security refers to the method of protecting an enterprise endpoint network when accessed by remote devices like smartphones, laptops, tablets, or other wireless devices. It includes monitoring status, software, and activities.

How Endpoint Security Works?

The endpoint protection system is installed on all network servers and endpoint devices. With the proliferation of mobile devices like laptops, smartphones, tablets, notebooks, etc., there has been a sharp increase in the number of lost or stolen devices.

These incidents potentially translate into a massive loss of sensitive data for enterprises that allow their employees to bring these mobile devices (enterprise-provided or otherwise) into their enterprise.

To solve this problem, enterprises have to secure the enterprise data available on their employees’ mobile devices so that even if the device falls into the wrong hands, the data should stay protected. This process of securing enterprise endpoints is known as endpoint security.

Why Is Endpoint Protection Important?

It also helps enterprises successfully prevent any misuse of the data they’ve made available on the employee’s mobile devices. (Example: a disgruntled employee trying to cause a nuisance to the enterprise or someone who may be a friend of the employee trying to misuse the enterprise data available on the device).

Endpoint Security is often confused with several other network security tools like antivirus, firewall, and network security. On this page, we list some of the differences between endpoint protection and the network against various evolving security threats of today.

Why Is It Called Endpoint?

As you can realize, every device which can connect to a network poses considerable danger. And as these devices are placed outside of the corporate firewall on the edge of the network using which individuals have to connect to the central grid, they are called endpoints. Meaning endpoints of that network.

As already stated, Endpoint can be any mobile device ranging from laptops to today’s notebooks, which can be connected to a network. And the strategy you employ in security these endpoints is known as endpoint protection.

Is Endpoint Protection The Same As An Antivirus?

Although the objective of endpoint security solutions is the same – secure devices – there is a considerable difference between them. Antivirus is about protecting PC(s) – single or many depending upon the type of antivirus deployed – whereas endpoint protection covers the entire picture. It’s about securing every aspect of the network.

It usually includes ‘provisions for application allow listing, network access control, endpoint detection, and response ‘, which are generally unavailable in antivirus packages. It can also be said that antivirus packages are more superficial forms of endpoint security.

Difference Between Personal And Enterprise Endpoint Security

Endpoint security solutions can be broadly classified into two different types. One for the consumers and the other for enterprises. The significant difference between the two is that there’s no centralized management and administration for consumers, whereas, for enterprises, centralized control is necessary.

This central administration (or server) streamlines the configuration or installation of endpoint security software on individual endpoint devices, and performance logs and other alerts are sent to the central administration server for evaluation and analysis.

What Does Endpoint Protection Provide?

While there’s certainly no limit to what it can contain – and this list is only going to expand in the future – some applications are core to any endpoint security solution. (Because, well, securing a network is altogether a different ball game from connecting a computer).

Some of these applications are free firewalls, antivirus tools, internet security tools, mobile device management tools, encryption, intrusion detection tools, mobile security solutions, etc., to name a few.

Traditional Antivirus Vs Modern Endpoint Security

This is a no-brainer. Yet something which needs to be pointed out. Because enterprises are often reluctant to change, even for their excellence, endpoint security is one area where enterprises have no choice but to adopt the modern because they are much more than just an anti-malware tool that can go a long way in securing your network against various evolving security threats of today.

Is Endpoint Security An Antivirus?

Antivirus is one of the components of endpoint security. In comparison, endpoint security is a much broader concept including not just antivirus but many security tools (like Firewall, HIPS system, Allowlisting tools, Patching, and Logging/Monitoring tools, etc.,) for safeguarding the various endpoints of the enterprise (and the enterprise itself against these endpoints) and from different types of security threats.

More precisely, endpoints security employs a server/client model for protecting the various endpoints of the enterprise.

The server would have a master instant of the security program, and the clients (endpoints) would have agents installed within them. These agents would communicate with the server the respective devices’ activities like the devices’ health, user authentication/authorization, etc., thus keeping the endpoints secure.

Whereas antivirus is usually a single program responsible for scanning, detecting, and removing viruses, malware, adware, spyware, ransomware, and other such malware.

Simply put, antivirus is a one-stop shop for securing your home networks, and endpoint security are suitable for securing enterprises, which are larger and much more complex to handle.

Difference Between Endpoint Security And Network Security

Endpoint security is about securing your enterprise endpoints (mobile devices like laptops, smartphones, and more) – and, of course, the enterprise against the dangers posed by these endpoints as well –. In contrast, network security is about taking security measures for protecting your entire network (the whole IT infrastructure) against various security threats.

The main difference between endpoint security and network security is that in the case of the former, the focus is on securing endpoints, and in the case of the latter, the focus is on ensuring the network.

Both types of security are essential. Ideally, it’s best to start by securing the endpoints and building them out.

You wouldn’t leave the doors to your home open just because there’s a security guard out there, would you? In the same sense, both are important and should be given equal importance, starting from the endpoints and slowly building out.

Your network would be secure only if your endpoints were secured first in straightforward terms. This you should note before starting to look for endpoint security and network security products.

Difference Between Endpoint Security And Firewall

Firewalls are responsible for filtering the traffic flowing into and going out of your network based on a set of security rules. For example, restricting traffic flowing into the web from a potentially dangerous website.

At the same time, endpoint security concerns itself with network filtering and performs many other tasks like Patching, logging, monitoring, etc., to safeguard the endpoints.

Both antivirus and firewall are crucial elements of endpoint security. Their objective remains the same, though the adopted (client/server model) and the number of computers they protect differ.

And within the model, operating with other security tools, they become even more efficient.

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Difference Between Endpoint Security And Endpoint Protection

Both are pretty much the same. Their primary objective is the same – to safeguard the endpoints and the enterprise against the dangers they pose. But there is a subtle difference. Endpoint security usually refers to an on-premise solution. At the same time, Endpoint Protection refers to a cloud-based solution.

An on-premise solution is a solution that has to be installed on the network for deployment, and a cloud-based solution is available in the cloud, and enterprises have to subscribe to it.

Windows 10 and Endpoint Security

Windows 10 although proclaimed to be the safest Windows OS is not without its flaws. Security experts have proved that the in-built security features of Windows like Windows Defender, Firewall, etc., to are proving ineffective.

Therefore enterprises making use of Windows 10 OS need endpoint security for safeguarding the various endpoints which connect to the network and for safeguarding the network itself.

Why Your Windows – Not Just Windows 10 – Needs Endpoint Security?

Inbuilt Windows Security is never going to be sufficient. Because the security attack vectors of today are just too many to be handled. This means we no longer live in a world where email attachments or web downloads are the only sources of malware infection. Simply put, your windows OS needs additional layers of protection in the form of antivirus for windows or, maybe, much more, depending on your requirements.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at how you can protect your Windows OS from various security threats:

1. Keep Your Windows OS Up-to-Date: Today it’s Windows 10. Tomorrow there’ll be another new version. Whatever it may be, ensure your PC is updated to the latest version. This is probably the next best thing you can do apart from providing antivirus for windows. Because the latest update is usually the one that safeguards users against all known security vulnerabilities.
2. Ensure Other Applications Are Up-to-Date: What’s inside of your Windows OS matters. We mean other main programs and applications. Ensure all of them are updated and contain the latest security patches. Because it’s a well-known fact that hackers try to exploit popular software like Java, Adobe Flash, Adobe Acrobat, etc.,
3. Use Proactive Security Solution: Unfortunately traditional antivirus alone is not going to be enough. Especially when it comes to combating modern-day malware which employs sophisticated methods. Therefore to tackle the ever-changing cybersecurity threat landscape, users need proactive security solutions like internet security (for home users) and endpoint protection (for enterprises).
4. Use Local Account Instead Of Microsoft Account: If you are using Windows 10, it’s best to avoid a Microsoft account and instead opt for a Local account, as using a Microsoft account means saving some of your details on the cloud, which is not such a wise thing to do. To opt for a local account, visit: Settings>Accounts>” Your info and select ‘Sign in with a local account instead”.
5. Keep User Account Control Always Turned On: UAC (User Account Control) is a Windows security responsible for preventing unauthorized changes (initiated by applications, users, viruses, or other forms of malware) to the operating system. It ensures changes are applied to the operating system only with the approval of the administrator. Therefore keep it turned ON always.
6. Perform Regular Back-Ups: Prepare yourself with the ‘worst’ in mind when it comes to dealing with security threats. Therefore perform regular backups of your system (both online and offline) so that all your data is not lost in case your PC(s) are badly affected by security threats or encounter an irreparable hardware issue.
7. Keep Your Browser Updated: Browsers are what we use to access the internet. Therefore security vulnerabilities in them mean entry path for security threats. Therefore, just as with OS and other applications, keep your web browser updated as well. Other security measures you can take: 1) opt for private browsing mode to prevent sensitive details from being stored 2) prevent or block pop-ups 3) configure web browser security settings to improve security etc.,
8. Turn Off Location Tracking: If you are using Windows 10 or any other version which contains Location Tracking, it’s best to turn it Off or use it only when it is necessary. For example, if you want to know about the local weather or the various shops nearby etc., To turn off Location Tracking, go to Privacy >> Location >> click Change button and move the slider from On to Off.
9. Use The Internet Wisely: All of the security measures listed here would become useless if you don’t exercise caution while online. Therefore ensure you don’t click on dangerous-looking links, download malicious email attachments or other web downloads, avoid visiting suspicious-looking websites, and any other action which the current security practices deem as unwise.

Windows OS is probably the best and that is why it is hugely popular and has so much following – despite the security threats. And there’s nothing wrong with sticking to your favorite OS.

Just ensure you beef it up with the right security products like Xcitium Endpoint Protection and follow the security best practices. These will ensure your Windows OS stays safe no matter what.

About Xcitium Advanced Endpoint Protection (AEP)

Xcitium Advanced Endpoint Protection (AEP), which comes equipped with impressive security features available in the IT security market. Backed by Containment technology, all the unknown (and therefore suspicious) files are run within virtual containers without affecting the host system’s resources or user data.

Security Features:

• Antivirus Scanning: Xcitium Advanced Endpoint Protection (AEP) has an antivirus scanning feature capable of scanning endpoints against a massive list of known good and bad files compiled from years as the world’s largest certificate authority and the 85 million endpoints deployed worldwide.
• VirusScope behavioral analysis: Uses techniques such as API hooking, DLL injection prevention, and more to identify indicators of compromise while keeping the endpoint safe and without affecting usability
• Valkyrie verdict decision engine: While running in auto-containment, unknown files are uploaded to a global threat cloud for real-time analysis, returning a verdict within 45 seconds for 95% of the files submitted.
• Human analysis: In the 5% of cases where VirusScope and Valkyrie are unable to return a verdict, the file can be sent to researchers for human analysis who decide within SLA timelines.
• Host intrusion prevention: Rules-based HIPS that monitors application activities and system processes, blocking those that are malicious by halting actions that could damage critical system components.
• Personal packet filtering firewall: Provides granular management of inbound and outbound network activities, hides system ports from scans, and provides warnings when suspicious activities are detected. Can be administered remotely or by a local administrator

Device Management and Application Security

Device management and application security are central to endpoint security. And both these factors are given equal importance. ‘Strong mobile policies, easy-to-implement default profiles, over-the-air enrollment, antitheft provision, remote data wipe, and many other features ensure comprehensive device management.

Whereas features like ‘application inventory, application blacklisting and whitelisting, remote management, patch management ensure comprehensive application management as well.

Minimum System Requirements

Xcitium Application Endpoint Protection (AEP) is extremely lightweight and therefore has minimum requirements. They are 384 MB available RAM, 210 MB hard disk space for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, CPU with SSE2 support, Internet Explorer version 5.1 or above.

Compatible With All Operating Systems

Xcitium AEP is compatible with all versions of Windows. Be it Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, or XP. Compatible with Android, Linux, and Windows server editions (like Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012 R2, etc,.) as well.

Xcitium Advanced Endpoint Protection (AEP) Related Statistics

Our Xcitium AEP performance survey indicates that each year 85 Million endpoints are being protected by our security software. Its verdict on analyzing unknown files correctly is an astounding 100% and the time taken to return each verdict is only 45 seconds. If these stats fail to impress you, you can try out Xcitium AEP for a free 30-day trial period and see for yourself how it performs.

Or if you prefer to set up a demo or proof-of-concept project, contact us at +1 888-256-2608.

See Also:

Best Endpoint Detection & Response