In an uncommon occurrence we have updated one of our papers within a year of publication. As mentioned in the latest version of our Endpoint Security Buyer’s Guide, mobile devices are just additional endpoints that need to be managed like any other device. But it became clear that we needed to dig a bit deeper into securing mobile endpoints.
Our updated and revised 2015 Endpoint and Mobile Security Buyer’s Guide updates our research on key endpoint management functions including anti-malware, patch and confirmation management, and device control. Additionally we dug a lot deeper into mobile security and managing BYOD. The reality is that securing endpoints hasn’t gotten any easier. Employees still click things and attackers have gotten better at evading perimeter defenses and obscuring attacks.
Humans, alas, remain gullible and flawed. Regardless of any training you provide employees, they continue to click stuff, share information, and fall for simple social engineering attacks. So endpoints remain some of the weakest links in your security defenses.
As much as the industry wants to discuss advanced attacks and talk about how sophisticated adversaries have become, the simple truth remains that many successful attacks result from simple operational failures. So yes, you do need to pay attention to advanced malware protection tactics, but if you forget about the fundamental operational aspects of managing endpoint hygiene the end result will be the same.
To provide some context, we have said for years that management is the first problem users solve when introducing a new technology. Security becomes a consideration only after management issues are under control.
This is the key reason we are adding a bunch of new content about securing mobile devices. Many organizations have gotten their arms around managing these devices, so now they are focusing their efforts on security and privacy – especially around apps running on those devices.
What has not changed is our goal for this guide: to provide clear buying criteria for those of you looking at endpoint security solutions in the near future.
Direct Download (PDF): The 2015 Endpoint and Mobile Security Buyer’s Guide
We would like to thank Lumension Security for licensing this paper. Obviously we wouldn’t be able to do the research we do, or offer it to you without cost, without companies supporting our work.
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