IT enterprise information asset management includes lifecycle management, user authentication management, data storage security, and network security. IT staff need to track thousands of devices, manage installed applications, prevent unauthorized users from logging in, perform constant network monitoring. While staff also need to ensure both internal (such as firewall-based) security, relatively little consideration is given to ensure protection for endpoint resources is in place.
What is an endpoint?
While many see the company firewall as the ultimate enterprise threat and security barrier, there is a often-overlooked extension to the enterprise firewall – external endpoint devices. As a broad definition, endpoint resources include user devices in a distributed computing system, usually as Internet-connected PC hardware on a TCP/IP network.
While many endpoint resources include the desktop workstations one would find within a traditional company workplace, there are also many external endpoint devices to consider. Falling within this external group are cellular telephones, tablets, large PCs like desktops and workstations and portable business laptops.
The endpoint threat
According to The Global Risks Report 2022 from the World Economic Forum[1], cybersecurity measures in place by businesses, governments, and individuals are being rendered obsolete by the growing sophistication of cybercriminals. New data on cyberattack trends cites a 38% increase in global attacks in 2022, compared to 2021, according to Check Point Research[2]. The escalation of cyberattacks is attributed to more agile hackers and ransomware gangs, focused on exploiting collaboration tools used by remote workers during the pandemic.
The “lost laptop” as a high-risk security endpoint
While smaller devices such as cellular telephones and tablets may be used for viewing and very light work productivity, the focus now falls greatly on the most favored “office outside the office” – the business laptop.
On the chance a business laptop is lost, it becomes an immediate and possibly highly expensive liability. While the physical loss of a laptop is a costly proposition, the sensitive business information stored in memory is of even greater value. What’s more, if the lost laptop’s network access is leveraged for business data theft, an even greater liability is at-hand.
Software solutions
With this in mind, IT administrators can secure business content and avoid risky network access via a compromised or lost laptop. Fortunately there are software-based solutions to the laptop/notebook loss problem. Many of these solutions are tailored for Windows OS-based laptops.
Some software-based factors that help with avoiding unauthorized access and loss of information could be Windows policy implemented rules such as short laptop lockout times. Or if a laptop is left with its screen open with no keyboard activity, then the laptop would automatically lock itself. Some companies prefer more brute-force methods such as frequent on-site network authentication token renewal, enforced by a software solution that will lockout the laptop if the renewal is not performed on time.
ASUS has solutions
Business itself is risky enough as it is. To reduce this risk, consider ASUS Business Protection solutions. Learn more about ASUS’s solutions for SME on this website.
[1] World Economic Forum, The Global Risks Report 2022, 2022
[2] Check Point Research, Check Point Research Reports a 38% Increase in 2022 Global Cyberattacks, 2022