In today’s digital age, business data can be accessed from any device, at any time. This is of great benefit for end-users and organisations, allowing them to accumulate and share huge quantities of valuable data through cloud-based services, removable media, network drives, browsers, and email—all of which are vulnerable to security breaches. Financial information, customer names and addresses, and confidential business plans are just a few of the valuable data that can be contained within the encrypted data.
To ensure data stays safe from being accessed by unauthorised users, or loss or theft of devices, it is important to ensure security and protection of endpoints is a part of your business cyber security strategy. There are many ways to secure endpoints in your business today, including endpoint security management and endpoint backup. It is important to remember to add endpoint encryption to your security strategy.
What is endpoint encryption?
Endpoint encryption is a critical layer in your organisation’s data security strategy. Data is encoded or scrambled in such a way that it may only be accessed or used by a user with the correct decryption key. Even if multiple security layers of protection such as anti-malware, firewalls, and data loss protection are breached, data that is encrypted remains protected. When data is stored and sent to another endpoint, encryption can ensure it remains secure from unapproved access.
To meet data protection standards and stay compliant, businesses often require endpoint encryption. Sensitive data is safeguarded both at the storage and communication phases by using endpoint encryption software. This includes health care records, bank account numbers, or other personally-identifying information.
Types of Endpoint Encryption
Full-disk encryption (FDE): This type encrypts the entire hard drive of a device, including the operating system, applications, and files. FDE requires a password, PIN, or biometric authentication to unlock the device and access the data. FDE is effective against physical attacks, but it does not protect data in transit or in use.
File encryption: It is also possible to encrypt selected files, images, or directories rather than the entire system. This protects the files or directories even after a user successfully logs in to the system, and they are only accessible after the correct password, token, or other authentication measure is entered when prompted.
What Endpoint Encryption Defends Against
Endpoint encryption prevents unauthorised access to data in case of device loss, theft, or compromise. Endpoint encryption defends against the following types of threats:
- Physical attacks: If someone loses or steals a device, the encrypted data on it remains secure, which protects data from being exposed or misused by attackers who gain physical access to the device.
- Malware attacks: Some malware programs are designed to steal data, but with encrypted data these programs can’t gain access and endpoint encryption can also prevent malware from infecting the device or modifying the system files, as it requires authentication to unlock the device and access the data.
- Compliance violations: Endpoint encryption can help organisations comply with compliance requirements and avoid fines, penalties, or reputational damage.
Why Use Endpoint Encryption?
Data security is a crucial issue for many businesses, especially those that handle sensitive data or operate in regulated sectors. For example, pharmaceutical companies need to secure their research from competitors, while healthcare and financial services firms need to follow government rules to safeguard patient and consumer data. Even unregulated industries need to protect their data and devices from cyber threats. Data breaches can have devastating consequences, such as huge recovery costs, business losses, bad reputation, and legal troubles.
Importance of Endpoint Encryption
Endpoint encryption is a method of protecting data on devices that connect to a network, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc. Endpoint encryption prevents unauthorised access to data in case of device loss, theft, or compromise.
Endpoint encryption is important for the following reasons:
- It protects sensitive data from being exposed or misused by attackers who gain physical access to the device.
- It prevents malware from accessing or infecting the data or the system files on the device.
- It helps organisations comply with data protection standards and regulations, and avoid fines, penalties, or reputational damage.
Endpoint encryption is a vital component of a robust security strategy that safeguards data from various threats
Protect your Endpoints with the Experts
To ensure your organisation’s IT infrastructure has the most robust security and threat detection system in place, endpoint encryption is a must-have. Security products such as firewalls, intrusion prevention, and identity and access management solutions help secure data within the organisation. However, as data breaches have become increasingly common and the increased use of mobile devices for remote and hybrid workplaces, endpoint data encryption adds an extra layer of security that can mitigate advanced threats and cyber-attacks. Talk to the cyber security experts at Intelliworx today for tailored security solutions that meet all your business needs.
