What is Endpoint Management? And How Can It Benefit Your Business?

Every laptop, desktop, smartphone, tablet and server connected to your business forms a way for your team to work. But if they are not managed securely, they can also create another route into you for cyber criminals or form a network of Shadow IT (or Third Party AI) that can leave your business vulnerable. 

As businesses become more reliant on cloud services, hybrid/remote working and connected devices, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage technology individually. Endpoint Management gives your business the visibility and control needed to keep devices secure, operating systems and software up to date, supported and working consistently. 

 

What is Endpoint Management? 

Endpoint Management is the process of centrally monitoring, configuring, maintaining, managing and securing the devices that connect to your business systems and data. 

These devices, known as endpoints, can include laptops, desktop computers, mobile phones, tablets, servers and more. Depending on your business and your industry, they may also include printers, point-of-sale systems, barcode scanners and other connected equipment (IOT devices). 

Rather than relying on each device being set up and managed separately, Endpoint Management allows your Managed Service Provers such as TwentyFour to apply consistent policies across your entire technology estate. 

This can include installing approved applications, enforcing security settings, monitoring device health, controlling access and remotely supporting users wherever they are working. 

 

Why does Endpoint Management matter? 

A device may appear to be working normally while still creating a security risk. It could be missing an important software update, running an unsupported application or using settings that do not meet your business cyber security policies. Without central visibility, these weaknesses can remain unnoticed until they cause disruption or are exploited by an attacker. 

Endpoint Management makes it easier for teams to manage your technology estate and identify devices that fall outside your minimum standard. Allowing issues to be corrected before they lead to data loss, applications for unique teams to be assessed and approved, and prevent downtime or a wider cyber security incident. 

It also helps create a more consistent experience for employees. Devices can be quickly configured with the correct applications and settings from the beginning, reducing delays and making ongoing support more efficient. 

 

How does Endpoint Management support cyber security? 

Endpoint Management should form a central part of your wider business cyber security strategy, rather than being treated as a standalone tool. 

It can help ensure devices are securely configured, encrypted where required, protected by appropriate security software and only have approved applications installed on them. It can also restrict access from devices that are outdated.  

Managing the device is only one layer of protection. Endpoint Management works best when combined with Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Identity and Access Management, Multi-Factor Authentication, Zero Trust Access, Active Email Threat Protection, Vulnerability Management and Managed Cyber Security Monitoring. Together, these controls help protect the device, the user account, the network connection and the business data being accessed. 

 

What is Patch Management? 

Patch Management forms a crucial part of Endpoint Management. Vendors regularly release Operating System, Software (including web browsers and unique software used by different business departments) and Firmware/Driver updates to fix faults, improve performance and close known security vulnerabilities. If these updates are not regularly applied, attackers may be able to exploit weaknesses that are already publicly known. 

A structured Patch Management process helps identify which devices require updates, assess patches for readiness (ensuring there are no known issues), deploy patches within an agreed timeframe and confirm whether they have installed successfully. 

Automating this process reduces the risk of devices being overlooked and makes it easier to maintain a consistent security standard across the business. 

 

How Endpoint Management Supports Compliance 

Endpoint Management helps businesses keep devices secure, up to date and managed to a consistent standard throughout the business. This can make it much easier to meet the requirements of recognised frameworks such as Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001. Especially when it comes to patch management. 

For Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, Endpoint Management can help ensure devices are securely configured, software remains supported and important security updates are applied within the required timescales. It also gives businesses better visibility of any devices that may fall outside the required standard, so issues can be addressed before they become a compliance problem. 

For ISO 27001, Endpoint Management supports a more structured approach to information security by helping businesses demonstrate how devices are controlled, maintained and protected. 

It does not make a business compliant on its own, but it provides the visibility, consistency, support, security and reporting needed to make compliance easier to manage and maintain throughout the year. 

 

What are the wider business benefits? 

Effective Endpoint Management can improve more than cyber security. New employees can receive devices that are pre-configured with the correct applications and security settings. Even out of the box setup configuration. Existing users can receive remote support more quickly, while software and policy changes can be deployed without every device needing to be handled individually. 

It can also improve offboarding. Devices can be locked, wiped, reassigned or securely retired remotely when an employee leaves the business. 

Better visibility also supports technology planning as part of your Technology Alignment Strategy. Your business can identify ageing equipment, unsupported software and devices with older hardware or hardware that may not meet minimum standards and need to be replaced or upgraded before they become a problem. 

 

How can TwentyFour help? 

TwentyFour helps businesses manage their endpoints as part of our complete IT managed support and cyber security strategy. 

We provide central visibility over devices, apply secure configurations, manage applications and security updates, monitor device health and respond when an endpoint falls outside the required standard. 

Endpoint Management can also be connected with wider services including Endpoint Detection and Response, Zero Trust, Identity and Access Management and Managed Cyber Security Monitoring to ensure that your business technology works for you and not against you. 

For businesses working towards Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus or ISO 27001, we help identify gaps, implement appropriate controls and maintain them throughout the year as part of our Compliance Management service. Ensuring that when your business wants to receive certification or recertify, that you can do so quickly and easily. 

Because cyber security and compliance should not rely on a once-a-year review. They should be built into the way your technology is managed every day, and Endpoint Management forms a crucial part of that strategy. 

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