The bigger headache for the CIOs -- Consumer Endpoint Protection Vs Enterprise Endpoint Protection, the argument continues
While “endpoint security” is used to describe the needs of both enterprises and individual consumers, the two differ greatly. Consumer endpoint security often refers to standard internet security packages consisting of anti-malware, anti-spam and a personal firewall. Enterprise endpoint security, on the other hand, is much more complicated and robust and encompasses many more features.
More Endpoints More Issues
A consumer has only a few endpoints to manage: a computer, a smartphone, and maybe one or two other devices on the network. An enterprise, on the other hand, has a huge umbrella of technology that needs to be protected, like various computers and PCs to servers and printers and routers. Also, the security needs of an enterprise are more diverse, as every device has specific needs.
As a result, enterprises typically need much more robust and sophisticated endpoint security than consumers. Enterprise endpoint protection is better at managing diverse collections of endpoints than consumer options, which are typically developed for individual devices and installed discretely.
Remote Management
At an enterprise, most devices need to be controlled remotely, as ease of access is pretty much impossible, like servers and printers. So, the endpoint security system should be able to manage and protect these remote access devices, whereas in a personal setup, direct access is possible, so the security needs are less complicated
Updates and Patches
In a small close-knit setup, customers usually enable automatic updates from software vendors. This practice maintains security because most malware issues are caused by out-of-date applications. Each device on your network downloads and installs updates as necessary, and each device continues to function well.
However, in an enterprise environment, allowing each device to download and install an update is cumbersome. Instead, the endpoint system should download a patch and deploy it to all relevant devices through a centralized management system. First, this prevents the network from slowing down from so many simultaneous downloads. Secondly, the centralized system can ensure each endpoint is appropriately secure, which negates the need for thorough individual checks.
Permissions
Individual employees rarely have administrative privileges on their devices in an enterprise. Thus, establishing endpoint permissions is a feature which is rarely available on consumer endpoint security products. Because consumers more often than not utilize administrator accounts, they are susceptible to phishing and social media attacks and need to modify permissions to eliminate these threats.
Tracking
Sole employees of a start-up hardly need to track their own activity when the business first began. But as the business grows, monitoring employees, their devices, activity and behavior should be done diligently and thoroughly.
Just because you have an endpoint security solution doesn’t mean you have the solution to the needs of your organization. There are consumer-based endpoint systems that fail to provide the features which benefit enterprises exclusively like centralized management and administration.