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Modern endpoint management for the hybrid workforce

Published on March 21, 2022

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Traditional endpoints included laptops and desktop computers. Now, staff leverage virtual desktops via their tablet while in the local cafe or access your public cloud infrastructure from their smartphone while travelling.

In our new hybrid work environment, these devices might access your data from networks that may not be secure, such as the home Wi-Fi network. Moreover, where people would have their work devices checked and updated by IT in the office, you need to send updates and patches remotely.

Modern endpoint management allows your IT team to oversee all devices accessing your corporate data and monitor for cyber security threats.

Why do you need modern endpoint management?

An endpoint includes any device leveraged to access or connect to a network. As more businesses permanently adopt and promote hybrid work models, endpoint management becomes necessary.

When you have people only visiting the office sometimes, or people working from a different city, you can no longer rely on in-office IT management.

Traditionally, endpoints were just computers. As workplace technology has evolved, so have the technologies we consider endpoints. They include:

  • Laptops
  • Desktops
  • Tablets
  • Smartphones
  • Virtual machines

Endpoint management delivers security and compliance capabilities for overseeing and approving a device’s right to access company data. Your IT team can also leverage endpoint management for device maintenance such as patches, updates, and data backup.

A modern endpoint management solution:

  • Provides a single platform for managing devices, apps, and data across the enterprise
  • Enables secure access to corporate resources from any device, anywhere
  • Automates device provisioning and configuration, software updates, and security policies

Modern endpoint management is critical for businesses with a hybrid workforce. With employees working from the office or their home, it can be challenging to gain visibility of each endpoint with traditional device management methods.

Endpoints are no longer only physical devices either. Some hybrid workers leverage virtual desktops to access work files. These virtual desktops, accessible from any device with a browser and an internet connection, count as endpoints.

Modern endpoint management solutions overcome such complexity by managing virtual and physical endpoints.

Modern endpoint management with Microsoft Intune

Microsoft Intune is one platform you can leverage for managing applications and devices across your organisation. It supports corporate and personal devices, including iOS, Android, and Windows.

It is a cloud-based service that requires no on-premises infrastructure, and it integrates with Active Directory for easy user management. Microsoft Intune allows you to manage applications on devices enrolled in your organisation’s Intune subscription.

You can use Intune to distribute applications, configure settings for managed applications, and restrict access to applications based on device security requirements.

Intune uses the Microsoft Azure cloud platform to provide its services, which means that you can manage devices and applications from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Endpoint security and endpoint management

Many of us no longer connect to a network nestled within our office. When we access corporate resources, we often do so from our home network, the local cafe or even the airport lounge.

Endpoint security is a measure for protecting your business against cyber security threats. When an unprotected endpoint connects to your corporate network or accesses your data, it creates an entryway for cyber attackers.

Endpoint security prevents threats such as malware, ransomware and phishing attacks. It also assists IT with managing and securing your endpoints by ensuring that all devices are adequately protected and compliant with security policies.

You should be careful not to confuse endpoint management and endpoint security. Endpoint management is only about granting access to authenticated devices. Endpoint security removes threats and monitors for potential weaknesses on endpoint devices.

What does modern endpoint management include?

Endpoint management features

The following features protect your organisation from cyber attacks, and ensure that people leverage company resources appropriately.

  • Device monitoring detects, investigates and responds to threats in your corporate network.
  • Device encryption prevents unauthorised access to local data when the device is in sleep mode or powered down.
  • Attack surface reduction rules prevent actions often exploited by attackers, such as opening .exe files or suspicious behaviour within apps.
  • Antivirus protection and firewalls prevent malicious actors from gaining access to devices via the internet or local network.

These are only a few of the key features offered in modern endpoint management. You can get in contact with us for more.

Endpoint management tools

An endpoint management console helps you to secure and manage endpoints. It is a comprehensive solution that provides a single interface to control all endpoints in an organisation. The console offers a range of features, such as device management, security management, and reporting.

Activity monitoring allows admins to see what users are doing on their devices and identify any potential security risks. It can also be used to monitor employee productivity. Activity monitoring will show if someone accesses apps or sites that are not work-related on their device, so you can ensure people comply with company policy.

Experteq is your partner in modern endpoint management

Now is the time to think about your technology strategy for managing and protecting your corporate data.

Implementing modern endpoint management requires careful planning and the right tools. We understand the unique needs of the healthcare, government and financial services industries, and can advise you on choosing a solution, implementing it for you and providing ongoing support.

Visit our Data Security Management page for more on our capabilities.

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Featuring
William Lam
Group Innovation Director
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