FEATURE : ENDPOINT SECURITY
With massive technological innovation over the years , the cybersecurity sector has had to adapt and create new solutions for better safety of people and organisations . Now , hackers have become more creative hence CIOs cannot afford to ignore security and must re-evaluate their security policies to ensure they are aligned with today ’ s needs . Industry experts share insights on how CIOs can boost security at the endpoint and address the rising data breaches . By
Manda Banda .
Endpoint security management is a policybased approach to network security that requires endpoint devices to comply with specific criteria before they are granted access to network resources . Endpoints can include PCs , laptops , smart phones , tablets and specialised equipment such as bar code readers or point of sale ( PoS ) terminals . Endpoint security management systems , which can be purchased as software or as a dedicated appliance , discover , manage , and control computing devices that request access to the corporate network .
A forecast from Gartner reflects that by 2025 , the global shortage of qualified emerging security leaders will result in a 20 % rise in salaries for even inexperienced cybersecurity leaders . Gartner states that skillset shortage is all time highest currently . According to Gartner , as the endpoint security industry continues to grow , the ever-evolving threat landscape and fast-paced technology upgrades are making it difficult for organisations to cop up . In scenarios like this , CIOs are left with two options .
According to the latest forecast by Gartner , IT spending is projected to total US $ 4.4 trillion globally in 2022 , which is an increase of 4 % from 2021 . The predicted global endpoint security market size is projected to grow from US $ 13.99 billion in 2021 to US $ 24.58 billion in 2028 , according to Fortune Business Insights – with strong implementation of endpoint protection in MEA to address the rising data breaches .
Alain Penel , Regional Vice President – Middle East , Fortinet , said when a device is targeted with malware , especially ransomware , if you don ’ t react immediately the fight is over – and you will have lost . Penel said and worse , such an attack can quickly spread to other devices , and without an intervention plan in place , you will lose the chance to stop those threats from spreading like wildfire through your organisation .
“ Because of the high-profile endpoint attacks , everyone should already know that endpoints are just one of those places in the network loaded with dry tinder and high winds waiting for a spark to set it off ,” he said . “ And while most CISOs and CIOs would agree that prevention is important , 100 % effectiveness is simply not realistic . Not only is patching intermittent , but all security updates trail behind threat outbreaks , zero-day attacks can slip past security systems , and there will always be those few employees in the organisation who won ’ t be able to resist clicking on that malicious email attachment . As a result , security teams need to operate under the assumption that their endpoints will eventually be compromised . And that ’ s why , in addition to prevention , real time detection and containment is critical .”
Enhancing security at the endpoint
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