Layered endpoint protection explained
Layered endpoint protection is a cybersecurity platform that integrates multiple layers of protection with a combination of rule-based techniques as well as static and dynamic threat detection technologies to protect an organisation’s endpoint devices. It also looks at behavioural and AI-based approaches, such as behavioural analysis.
Endpoint devices such as PCs, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, printers or other specialised hardware, like POS terminals, as well as IoT devices are vulnerable to cyberattacks. They could easily serve as an entry point for unauthorised users. Therefore, securing endpoint devices is critical in ensuring cyber threats such as malware, phishing attacks and ransomware are not able to compromise systems through these endpoints.
Many of these devices should already have basic security protection, but others do not. For example, in many cases, IoT devices were designed without security in mind or with a bare minimum of security features. However, without a strong defence-in-depth posture, cybercriminals can easily make use of a large number of different vectors, techniques and technologies to find a way past these defences.
For instance, cyberattacks are known to be able to get through signature-based detection measures. Meaning if you’re using legacy endpoint protection, chances are high for cybercriminals to exploit you.
Multi-vector attacks require layered endpoint protection
This is where layered endpoint protection, or multi-vector protection, comes in. By having different layers of protection, endpoint devices will have more holistic, in-depth protection that covers different security bases and vulnerabilities. Layered endpoint protection ensures different areas and levels of the devices remain protected. Instead of just protecting devices, it can also monitor your device for suspicious processes.
Layered endpoint protection may also include backup and recovery. File backup and recovery solution, especially with rapid restore, is essential in case your device is infected with malware.
Malwarebytes, for example, applies real-time protection layers that include web protection, application hardening, exploit mitigation, application behaviour, anomaly detection machine learning, payload analysis, ransomware mitigation in conjunction with its proprietary incident response layer for its multi-layered, cloud-managed endpoint security solution.
Having a strong combination of such detection and remediation technologies is the best way for organisations to be prepared to mitigate multi-vector attacks and keep out new cyber threats that may emerge in the future.