Defending beyond the perimeter and securing endpoint devices
Oliver Atkin at CTS explains how Endpoint Detection and Response differs from traditional cyber protection systems.
According to a report from the IDC (2019), 70% of successful security breaches start on endpoint devices, such as laptops, mobile phones and desktops. Because of the ever-increasing number of endpoints on modern networks, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to fight against advanced attacks that enter through these devices – traditional antivirus software is no longer enough. Luckily, there is a solution: Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR).
Automated investigation capabilities
EDR continuously monitors endpoint devices, such as laptops and desktop computers, to respond to advanced threats and protect your firm against malicious cyberattacks.
Unlike conventional anti-virus systems, EDR doesn’t check files retroactively – it takes immediate action in real time to determine whether identified network activities are malicious or not. If a threat is detected, EDR will take immediate action, blocking and containing the malicious activity before a compromise can occur.
Furthermore, this comprehensive forensic investigation of the breach, from start to finish, enables your law firm to determine where the weak points in your security defence are so that you can proactively apply additional controls to remediate a similar future event.
Behaviour-based threat detection
Upon detecting suspicious activity, EDR not only monitors and analyses endpoint-user behaviour but also the techniques, tactics and procedures that an attacker uses.
In a growing and increasingly hostile digital landscape, having the capability to rapidly detect and respond to threats is vital. As technology advances, cybercriminals are right behind, sometimes developing faster than traditional security defences.
Comprehensive visibility
Traditional antivirus software focuses on the prevention of an attack, catching the threat before it enters the network. However, it does not offer any visibility into what happened, where the malware came from or how it spread across the system.
EDR provides in-depth, real time and historic visibility into all endpoints and the connections between them. Continuous monitoring of devices captures all endpoint activity, events and details, providing valuable insight into the current threat landscape. This facilitates proactive threat hunting, investigation and remediation before your law firm’s data is put at risk of breach.
Integration with threat intelligence
EDR software can be integrated with your law firm’s pre-existing antivirus, Endpoint Protection, network protection and firewall tools to enhance that security posture and strengthen your firm’s capabilities around the detection of vulnerabilities beyond the individual security components and what they do for individual applications.
EDR empowers forensic investigation by combining threat information into detailed reports that can be analysed, working with your antivirus and other tools to provide a safe and secure network.
As cyber threats continue to grow and develop, law firms are increasingly at risk. Investing in endpoint detection gives back control so you can protect your firm knowing you’re well-equipped against the large number of endpoint variables.
