Endpoint Protection
Security solutions and practices designed to protect end-user devices such as laptops, desktops, mobile phones, and servers from cyber threats including malware, ransomware, and unauthorized access.
Endpoint protection encompasses the technologies and policies that secure the devices (endpoints) connecting to an organization's network. Modern endpoint protection platforms (EPP) have evolved far beyond traditional antivirus software. They now incorporate multiple defense layers including next-generation antivirus with behavioral analysis, endpoint detection and response (EDR) capabilities, device control, application whitelisting, host-based firewalls, and disk encryption. The goal is to protect each device as an independent security perimeter, which is especially important in an era of remote work and bring-your-own-device policies.
Endpoint security is a compliance essential across all major frameworks. ISO 27001 Annex A addresses endpoint protection through controls on user endpoint devices (A.8.1), malware protection (A.8.7), and management of technical vulnerabilities. SOC 2 requires that system components are protected against malware and that security software is deployed and maintained. NIS2 mandates cybersecurity risk-management measures that include vulnerability handling and basic cyber hygiene practices, both of which encompass endpoint security. In technology due diligence assessments, reviewers evaluate endpoint protection maturity as a key security indicator, including whether EDR telemetry is centrally collected and analyzed.
Effective endpoint protection requires more than deploying software. Organizations need comprehensive endpoint management policies covering device hardening standards, automatic patching, encrypted storage, remote wipe capabilities for lost or stolen devices, and centralized management consoles for visibility and control. Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions extend these capabilities to smartphones and tablets. The shift toward zero-trust architecture has further elevated endpoint security, as each device must continuously prove its security posture before being granted access to resources. Regular endpoint compliance checks, automated remediation for non-compliant devices, and integration with identity and access management systems form the foundation of a mature endpoint protection strategy.
Related frameworks
Related terms
Data Loss Prevention
A set of strategies, tools, and processes designed to detect and prevent the unauthorized transmission, exfiltration, or leakage of sensitive data outside an organization's controlled environment.
Encryption
The process of converting data into an encoded format that can only be read by authorized parties who possess the correct decryption key. Encryption protects data confidentiality both at rest (stored data) and in transit (data being transmitted over networks).
Patch Management
The systematic process of identifying, evaluating, testing, and deploying software updates (patches) to fix security vulnerabilities, address bugs, and maintain the integrity of systems and applications across the organization's infrastructure.
Vulnerability Assessment
A systematic process of identifying, quantifying, and prioritizing security vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and applications. Unlike penetration testing, vulnerability assessments focus on discovering weaknesses rather than exploiting them.
Zero Trust Architecture
A security model that eliminates implicit trust based on network location and instead requires continuous verification of every user, device, and request before granting access to any resource, operating on the principle of 'never trust, always verify.'
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