The network was compromised by a silent attack that entered precisely where no one expected: the computer of an employee who was working from home. This type of situation, unfortunately, is common — and it does not only affect multinational companies. Any business, regardless of its size, is subject to this type of digital invasion.
The good news is that there is a smart way to reduce these risks: endpoint security. If you have never heard of this term or still have doubts about its meaning in practice, this text is for you.
What is endpoint security?
Endpoint security, or endpoint protection, is the set of strategies, technologies, and practices aimed at protecting all end devices (endpoints) that connect to a company's network. This includes:
-
Laptops (notebooks);
-
Desktop computers;
-
Tablets;
-
smartphones;
-
Local servers;
-
And even printers, point-of-sale terminals and IoT devices (like sensors and cameras).
In other words, any equipment that can send or receive data through a corporate network is considered an endpoint — and, therefore, requires protection.
Unlike traditional antiviruses, which only detect common threats on devices, endpoint security solutions act more comprehensively and proactively, monitoring suspicious behavior, blocking inappropriate access and protecting in real time against sophisticated attacks, such as ransomware, persistent malware and Phishing.
Why is endpoint security important for businesses?
The answer can be summed up in a single expression: attack surface.
With the rise of hybrid work, the use of personal devices and the proliferation of cloud solutions, the number of “entry points” for cybercriminals has increased exponentially.
Every device connected to the network is a potential vulnerability. It is no coincidence that, according to recent data from Forrester and Cybersecurity Ventures, over 70% of data breaches originate from endpoints.
And most of the time, the employee doesn’t even realize that something is wrong — it all happens silently, through automated scripts or advanced social engineering techniques.
Here are some of the direct consequences of a lack of endpoint protection:
-
Leakage of sensitive information (customer data, contracts, passwords);
-
Service interruption and loss of productivity;
-
Data kidnapping with ransom demand (ransomware);
-
Damage to the company's reputation;
-
Significant financial losses.
How does endpoint security work?
Endpoint security operates in a continuous and integrated manner. When implemented well, it combines several essential features, such as:
- Protection agents installed on devices
These agents are software that act directly on endpoints, monitoring system behavior and preventing suspicious or malicious activities.
- Centralized management console
In more advanced solutions (such as Kaspersky, for example), there is a central management platform where IT administrators can view the status of all devices, apply security policies, configure updates and respond quickly to incidents.
- Threat Intelligence
Modern solutions use machine learning algorithm e artificial intelligence to identify attack patterns, even before they are documented in traditional databases.
- Automated detection and response
Known as EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response), this feature allows you to detect threats in real time and take immediate action: isolate devices, remove malware and restore compromised systems.
- Compliance with corporate policies
Endpoint security ensures that devices comply with company IT policies, preventing actions—intentional or otherwise—by users from opening security breaches.
Endpoint security isn’t just for big companies
This is a crucial point. Many small and medium-sized businesses believe they are “invisible” to hackers — but the reality is quite the opposite.
Smaller companies are often prime targets, precisely because they have fewer layers of security. And when they suffer an attack, they face greater difficulties in recovering operations and lost data.
So, if your company has 10, 50 or 100 devices connected to the network, it's time to consider a professional endpoint security solution.
