Best Practices for Endpoint Detection, Device Authentication, and Securing IoT Systems

The modern workplace has undergone significant shifts in recent years.  Over 28% of enterprises globally shifted to remote work, while tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Apple directed employees to work from the office at least a few days a week.

The shift has led to employees working across different geographies and using their own devices and networks to do work. It has exposed the enterprise to various cybersecurity risks, including malware, ransomware, phishing, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, data breaches, and numerous other threats.

According to a Forrester report, over 34% of enterprises have become victims of the Internet of Things (IoT) device breaches, which cost them between $5 million and $10 million.

Needless to say, data security has become the topmost concern for data-driven and IoT-enabled enterprises.

So, what can enterprises do to address these growing security concerns? 

The answer lies in endpoint detection, device authentication, and securing IoT systems.

What Is Endpoint Detection, Device Authentication, and Securing IoT Systems?

Endpoint detection is an approach used to monitor endpoint devices like laptops, mobile phones, and other IoT devices in real time to identify threats and malicious activities. The demand for endpoint security is so high among enterprises that the market is valued to reach $36 billion by 2028.

Device authentication is the approach of authenticating and authorizing devices used by employees. This ensures that devices are not exposed to any vulnerabilities and enables the security team to determine whether employees can access data and the network.

Securing IoT systems involves safeguarding the network of connected IoT devices from bad actors and unauthorized access.

Now that we know these terms, let’s explore how enterprises can secure their devices and networks by establishing and following a few best practices. 

Nine Best Practices To Safeguard Endpoints, Devices, and IoT Systems

• Understand the potential vulnerabilities in IoT networks and devices

To thwart any attempts at intrusions and threats, enterprises must first understand the vulnerabilities that could affect the IoT networks and devices. These threats range from network slicing attacks to poor device and authentication management policies. Enterprises can develop strategies to safeguard networks and devices by understanding these vulnerabilities.

• Perform asset discovery and device profiling checks

Considering the numerous devices used within and outside the enterprise network, a thorough asset discovery is crucial. This involves identifying and cataloguing all the devices used in the enterprise. This will help the enterprise prepare an inventory of all the devices used and identify those that are unauthorized, outdated, or vulnerable to threats. Asset inventory is beneficial when enterprises respond to a security incident or update software patches. It ensures no assets are left unchecked. 

Device profiling goes deeper as it involves analyzing the device’s operating system, hardware, software, its characteristics, and potential risks. This enables enterprises to understand the device’s security posture, detect vulnerabilities, and take pre-emptive measures to prevent attacks. 

• Audit the network vulnerabilities

An enterprise’s network is the most vulnerable one, as bad actors can easily attack it and damage assets, hardware, software, and disrupt operations. Anything ranging from unpatched software to a lack of encryption, firewall mismanagement, and social engineering could expose the network to vulnerabilities. That’s why a thorough and regular security audit is crucial. A network security audit evaluates the entire enterprise’s infrastructure to identify risks and security gaps. Here’s how the cybersecurity team can do the network audit: 

1. Identify and list all servers, routers, switches, firewalls, and endpoints within the network, ensuring compliance with industry regulations. Ensure all the third-party services and remote access points are secure from potential risks.
2. Next, map the network to understand how entry points, such as VPNs and wireless connections, physical devices like servers and routers, and wireless connections are connected to the network. Identify the spots most vulnerable to risks and mitigate them. 
3. Check if the authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication, password protection policies, and firewalls, are updated to ensure authorized access. 
4. Perform vulnerability scanning and penetration tests to evaluate the network’s ability to defend itself from bad actors and ensure no vulnerabilities are left unchecked. 
5. Collect data on network security risks, analyze the findings, and implement solutions, such as enhancing firewalls and authentication policies, and improving security.

A comprehensive network security check will help enterprises take proactive measures before a malicious actor attacks the network, comply with industry regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR, and ensure data security. 

• Provide access to authorized users

Unauthorized access to networks, systems, and data can lead to data breaches, compromised systems, and financial and reputational damages for enterprises. Here’s what enterprises can do to prevent these issues:

1. Set up clear guidelines on access and user authentication
2. Ensure outside users have limited access to data
3. Provide role-based access to users
4. Educate employees about cyber risks like phishing, social engineering attacks, and malware
5. Encourage employees to use strong passwords and change them frequently
6. Update authorization privileges to ensure only active team members and employees have access  
7. Set up consumption limits for resources that are shared between employees

• Adopt a zero-trust security approach 

According to the Cybersecurity Insider’s report in 2024, 83% of enterprises have reported that at least one insider cyber attack took place in the last one year. Clearly, internal stakeholders, such as employees, are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks.  The only way to combat this problem is by replacing the traditional security framework with a zero-trust security approach.

Unlike traditional security frameworks that automatically assume anyone inside the network to be trustworthy, the zero-trust framework works on the premise of not trusting anyone, including internal stakeholders.

In zero-trust security, every user, device, and application is authenticated and authorized before granting access. The enterprise applies the principle of least privilege, i.e., users get access to only those features, functions, and data that are essential for their work.

This enables the cybersecurity team to reduce the enterprise’s attack surface, quickly identify and isolate the breaches, and safeguard applications from vulnerabilities.

• Update security patches regularly

According to a 2023 Salesforce survey, enterprises use an average of 1000+ applications.

Many of these applications could be vulnerable to threats or have bugs and performance issues that expose the enterprise to security risks.
That’s why updating software patches is vital.

Software patches are updates from software vendors that address the existing vulnerabilities, bugs, and security issues in the software. This ensures the software doesn’t become a source of exposing the enterprise to security risks.

A software that’s unpatched and left undetected could compromise the enterprise’s networks and devices.

However, given the sheer number of applications used by enterprises, an oversight is quite possible.

To avoid such situations, enterprises must automate patch updates and replace legacy applications that cannot be updated with new ones that offer regular security patching.

• Protect data storage and ensure data encryption

Data is the fuel that drives your enterprise’s growth. From forecasting trends to making future business decisions, everything depends on data. That’s why securing it is so crucial. According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024, the average cost of a data breach was as high as $4.88 million. To protect data from theft and vulnerabilities, enterprises can do the following:

1. Check what data needs additional security measures and secure it
2. Encrypt and decrypt data stored on devices, servers, and in the cloud using encryption algorithms such as the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). Ensure the data is encrypted in storage and during transit between networks 
3. Ensure the data backup is also encrypted to safeguard information from bad actors who use unconventional routes to enter the network
4. Use options like multi-factor authentication to ensure only authorized users have access, and the least privilege principle to grant access to only applications and features essential for work
5. Mask personal data by replacing sensitive data with fictionalized data or anonymize it to ensure data privacy
6. Train employees on storing and sharing data safely

Basic precautions like these can go a long way in ensuring data security.

• Use devices and software that align with the security policies

While it’s tempting to install a new application that promises to automate processes or increase employee productivity, enterprises need to run it through their cybersecurity teams to ensure it's secure. This is important because many off-the-shelf applications may not align with the enterprise’s security posture. The simplest way to overcome this problem is by using an application that’s reviewed and rated highly by competitors and industry peers. Besides that, here are a few things enterprises must look for while choosing an application:

• Assess if the application offers features like encryption, data backup and recovery, user authorization, multi-factor authentication, identity and access management, and regular software updates

• Ensure that it complies with industry regulations, data privacy laws, and has clear terms and conditions listed
• Check if it allows customization to align with security policies and business needs
• Ensure customer support and training post-implementation

The process doesn’t end here. Once an application is approved for use, train the employees on sharing and storing data, and perform regular audits to ensure it is updated and secure. 

• Conduct security awareness training for employees

Cybersecurity is not the job of a single team. Every employee has a role to play in safeguarding endpoints, networks, and data. Enterprises must establish a culture of security awareness across the organization. They can do this by conducting regular security awareness training sessions to ensure employees comply with the guidelines. Explaining the different vulnerabilities, the significance of authentication and passwords, and other security guidelines will help employees understand the importance of security and adhere to the policies more diligently. 

Conclusion

We hope these best practices will help enterprises safeguard their endpoint, devices, and networks. 

At a time when data privacy and security compliance can make or break the future, enterprises need a robust security strategy to improve safety and reduce threats and vulnerabilities.

Assessing all assets and devices, implementing mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication and zero-trust policies, updating security patches, and fostering a security-first mindset among employees can help enterprises enhance their cybersecurity. 

However, considering the complexities of modern networks, devices, and data, enterprises need to adopt a more holistic approach to cybersecurity.

That’s where Gadgeon comes to the rescue.