Every device that connects to a network—whether it's a laptop, a smartphone, or a server—can become a target for cyberattacks.
As remote and hybrid work increases, so does the number of endpoints in use.
We have outlined 10 essential endpoint security best practices that help reduce risk and improve control across an organization's network.
Knowing what devices connect to your network is the first step in protecting them. This includes computers, phones, servers, and IoT devices. Automated tools can scan networks to find connected devices. This creates a baseline inventory that shows what's normal in your environment. Regular checks help identify new or unauthorized devices. Without a complete inventory, unknown devices might access your network without proper security controls.
How Endpoint Central helps:
Endpoint Central offers automated endpoint discovery and real-time asset inventory. It identifies every device on the network, categorizes them by type and OS, and alerts IT teams to unauthorized endpoints—ensuring total visibility.
Software updates fix security holes that attackers target. Delaying these updates leaves systems vulnerable to known exploits.
A patch management system helps prioritize and deploy updates across all endpoints. Critical security patches should be applied quickly, while less urgent updates can follow a regular schedule. Testing patches before wide deployment helps prevent compatibility problems. Automated patch management tools can streamline this process and ensure consistent patching.
How Endpoint Central helps:
Endpoint Central automates patch management across Windows, macOS, Linux, and 1000+ third-party applications. It supports testing, approval workflows, scheduling, and detailed patch compliance reporting.
Modern endpoint protection platforms (EPPs) go beyond traditional antivirus software. They combine multiple security functions in one solution.
These platforms use advanced methods to detect threats:
How Endpoint Central helps:
Endpoint Central includes built-in EPP capabilities such as antivirus, anti-ransomware, and behavior-based threat detection. It monitors for known and unknown threats, integrates threat intelligence, and supports automated remediation actions—all from a single interface.
Encryption converts data into a code that can only be read with the correct key. This protects information even if a device is lost or stolen. Full-disk encryption secures everything stored on a device. File-level encryption can protect specific sensitive documents. Encryption should also cover data being sent between devices (data in transit). This prevents information from being intercepted during transfer.
How Endpoint Central helps:
Endpoint Central allows centralized BitLocker encryption management for Windows devices. IT admins can enforce encryption policies, manage recovery keys, and generate compliance reports with ease.
The principle of least privilege means giving users only the access they need to do their jobs. This limits what an attacker can reach if they compromise an account.
Regular access reviews help identify and remove unnecessary permissions. Admin accounts should be strictly limited and used only when needed. Application control policies can restrict which programs run on endpoints. This prevents unauthorized software from being installed.
How Endpoint Central helps:
Endpoint Central offers privilege management capabilities that let IT teams configure user rights, restrict software installations, and define application allow/deny lists—minimizing access exposure across all endpoints.
Endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools monitor devices for suspicious activity. Unlike prevention tools that block threats, EDR focuses on detecting and responding to attacks that get through initial defenses. EDR systems collect detailed information about endpoint activity. This data helps security teams investigate incidents and understand how attacks unfold. These tools can automatically respond to specific threats by isolating affected devices or terminating malicious processes.
Network segmentation divides a network into smaller sections. Each section can have its security controls and access restrictions.
If an attacker compromises one segment, they can't easily move to others. This contains the damage and protects critical systems.
Segmentation can be based on:
Monitoring traffic between segments helps detect unusual movements that might indicate the lateral movement of an attacker.
Additional security measures are needed when employees use personal devices for work or connect from home networks. Mobile device management (MDM) tools apply security policies to smartphones and tablets. These can enforce encryption, password requirements, and app restrictions. Containerization creates separate workspaces on personal devices. This isolates work data from personal apps and makes it easier to remove company information when needed. VPNs or zero trust access models help secure connections from remote locations.
How Endpoint Central helps:
Endpoint Central includes robust Android, iOS, and Windows MDM support. It allows IT to enforce encryption, push security policies, configure corporate profiles, remotely wipe lost devices, and containerize corporate data on BYOD endpoints.
People are often the weakest link in security. Training helps employees recognize threats and follow good security practices.
Effective training includes:
Simulated phishing tests can measure how well employees apply their training.
Backups protect against data loss from ransomware, hardware failure, or human error. A good backup strategy follows the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of data on two different media types, with one copy stored off-site. Regular testing ensures backups can be restored when needed. Automated backup solutions reduce the risk of missed backups.