Endpoint security has its roots in the first form of computer protection that has ever existed. As the technology evolved, we saw the introduction of new devices such as laptops and mobile devices which eventually replaced bulky desktops. Today, we have dozens of different devices at the workplace. BYOD trend has also made things worse, allowing employees to bring their own devices to work.
With so many devices at work, your organization’s networks become more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. From malicious apps to network intrusion attempts by cybercriminals, it becomes a challenge to protect your network from suspicious activity. That is where endpoint security can come to your rescue.
Endpoint security ensures that all the devices connected to your enterprise network do not pose a security risk to your business. The centralized management is a hallmark of endpoint security, offering complete control in the hands of enterprises. In order to cope with the latest cyber security threats, it is important to know the latest trends in endpoint security so you can implement an endpoint security strategy that works.
In this article, AntiDos will highlight key endpoint security trends that will reshape the future of endpoint security.
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
With cyber-attacks increasing in numbers and complexity, humans will have a hard time keeping pace with them. As a result, they will have to call upon artificial intelligence and machine learning to help them out. Endpoint security automation will become a reality and we will see AI and machine learning algorithms join forces to keep an eye on traffic entering your network and send the alarm bells ringing when they identify suspicious activity.
We are already seeing shades of it as tech giants like Microsoft are already using machine learning capabilities and incorporating it in their endpoint security tools. Many endpoint security solution providers will also join the fray very soon and we will have many endpoint security solutions that take advantage of machine learning and artificial intelligence in the future. It will reduce the burden off the shoulders of your IT team and help them focus on more value-driven activities instead of manually analyzing network traffic and identifying dangerous threats.
- SaaS-Based Security
The endpoint security industry is about to go through a transformation as we will see the emergence of SaaS-based endpoint security solutions emerge. This will be a major shift because previously centralized endpoint security systems use to run on dedicated servers or a device that the organization deploys in-house. Now, it will move to the cloud as a SaaS-based service that starts offering endpoint security solutions.
Endpoint security will be offered as a service. We are already seeing glimpses of that from companies like Webroot, FireEye, Carbon Black, Cybereason and more. This means that your internal IT won’t be responsible for managing endpoint security and it will be managed by a third-party cloud provider from who you take the service. As the competition heats up, we will also see prices drop and more new players entering that market segment, which is a win-win situation for everyone.
- Multi Layered Protection
Not all cyber attacks are similar. Some might target your service while others might target your database. Some might force you to pay a ransom while others might trick you into giving out your sensitive information. One type of cyber attack that is on the rise is lifeless attack.
Fileless attacks use malware to spread and reside in the RAM. It is never copied on the disk. Many endpoint security solution providers are offering multi-layered security solutions to deal with such attacks. When you combine these multi-layered solutions with automation and machine learning, you can achieve pinpoint accuracy.
Relying on security solutions only will result in false-positive which most security systems create and that lead to wastage of precious IT resources as you have to track them down. A multi-layered solution ensures that any malware could not reach your network or database so it cannot infect other files and bring your network down. This minimizes the risk of these attacks to a certain degree and prevents any damage.
- Securing IoT Devices
According to Cisco predictions, 50 billion devices will connect to the internet by 2020. This number will soar to 500 billion devices by 2030. With so many devices, securing them becomes a daunting task. From sensors to cameras, nodes to routers, we will be surrounded by devices. This will increase the cybersecurity risk manifolds.
To give you an idea about the gravity of the situation, here is an example. A college student created a botnet called Mirai botnet by hijacking thousands of CCTV cameras and launched a DDoS attack on rival Minecraft servers. The college student ended up launching one of the biggest DDoS attack in history. You should invest in an Anti DDoS solution to save your business from such attacks.
With no security protocol for IoT devices, security and privacy concerns and various operating systems these devices run, it makes it tough for cyber security professionals to develop a mechanisms to secure these devices. Endpoint security solution providers are working on software agents that can run on IoT devices and offer some kind of protection and security.
- Simple and Consolidated Agents
As endpoint security become more important, it will increase the size of the endpoint security market. We will see new solutions from endpoint security vendors. Most businesses will end up running multiple agents simultaneously, which can create confusion and give rise to many issues as well. In 2023, we will see many endpoint security companies reduce the complexity of their solutions and merge them into a single suite.
Don’t be surprised to see consolidated software suite packed with security features this year. It will make it easier for businesses as they don’t have to deal with multiple agents anymore. Symentec is one security provider that is still sticking to the single agent formula while others have moved on.
Which is the hottest endpoint security trend in your opinion? What will be the future of endpoint security? Feel free to share it with us in the comments section below.
