| Endpoint security software is crucial for businesses of | | | | - 60% had more than 20 malware web downloads |
| all types and around the world. This article will provide | | | | - 35% had at least 1 network worm |
| you with information about endpoint security software | | | | What caused these network security intrusions? |
| and how it can proactively protect your business from | | | | Without endpoint security solutions, network security |
| network threats. Whether you're a business owner, an | | | | intrusions are inevitable. There are many ways for |
| executive, or an IT manager, the following information | | | | malware and other viruses to infiltrate corporate |
| will be beneficial to you. | | | | networks. |
| What is endpoint security software? Endpoint security | | | | Here are a few examples: |
| software is a centrally-managed software system | | | | - Mobile users frequently log on and off the business |
| that protects end-user devices such as laptops, PC's, | | | | network using devices that are already infected, |
| Smart phones, PDA's, POS terminals and more. | | | | compromising network security. |
| Endpoint security systems are hosted on a server or | | | | - Businesses employ inadequate remote security |
| gateway, and installed on every endpoint or user | | | | solutions, lack onsite IT personnel, and fail to enforce |
| device that connects to the business network. | | | | security policies. |
| Why is endpoint security software important? Today's | | | | - Employees use easily exploited technologies such as |
| business environment has changed drastically over the | | | | P2P, file sharing, streaming media and instant |
| last decade. As businesses expand, they require more | | | | messaging. |
| and more users to access their corporate network. | | | | Your endpoint security software provider should |
| Employees, contractors, strategic partners and others | | | | provide some of the most comprehensive vulnerability |
| consistently access network data via remote locations, | | | | monitoring available on the market, including: |
| LANs or wireless connections. These types of access | | | | - Unapproved Software: Ensure that all software |
| points create a windfall of potential entry points for | | | | applications installed on your computer networks are |
| security threats to infiltrate the network. This makes it | | | | approved by your company's security policy. |
| increasingly difficult for IT managers to protect the | | | | - Suspicious Traffic: Detect abnormal traffic on your |
| network from worms, Trojans, spyware and other | | | | network that could indicate an attempt to access or |
| malicious code that can threaten business continuity, | | | | manipulate your computers. |
| compromise data, jeopardize productivity and require | | | | - Intrusion Vulnerability: Identify open ports or other |
| costly and time-consuming incident remediation. | | | | undesired access points that could put your network |
| A recent security threat assessment uncovered that | | | | at risk of intrusion. |
| active malware and threats reside undetected on | | | | - Malware Protection: Protect your network by |
| corporate networks and endpoints on 100% of all | | | | ensuring antivirus and other endpoint security software |
| participating companies from North America, Latin | | | | are installed, updated and functioning properly on all |
| America, Europe and Asia Pacific. The participating | | | | computers. |
| companies average over 11,000 employees in | | | | - Updates & Patches: Assure all critical security |
| industries like finance, healthcare, education, | | | | updates and patches are installed, with Microsoft's |
| manufacturing and government. | | | | minimum protection. |
| The study, taking place between October 2008 and | | | | - Security Practices: Ensure all your computers are |
| June 2009, performed over 100 assessments on | | | | configured and used in accordance with best practices |
| enterprises worldwide and discovered that: | | | | for network security. |
| - 100% were infected with active malware | | | | - Clear Blue Agents: Monitor your endpoint security |
| - 50% had at least one data-stealing malware hidden in | | | | status and lets you know how to solve any problems |
| their network | | | | it detects. |
| - 45% had multiple data-stealing malware infections | | | | - Virtual Security Assistant: Provide 24/7 security for |
| - 72% had at least 1 IRC bot | | | | your entire network at a fraction of the cost of human |
| - 50% had 4 or more IRC bots | | | | domain experts. |
| - 83% had at least 1 malware web download | | | | |