Endpoint Protection Platform

What is EPP?

EPP stands for endpoint protection platform, and it is a term used in IT security to describe a solution used to keep endpoint devices safe from security vulnerabilities. What is an endpoint in cyber security? Endpoints are any devices that connect to a network and share information with it. 

Common examples of endpoints include desktops, laptops, smartphones, and servers. Endpoints can also be peripheral assets like scanners, printers, smart speakers, or IoT (internet of things) devices. 

What does EPP do? 

With all of these endpoints in play, it is crucial to ensure they are not vulnerable to security threats. EPP software solutions utilize a combination of different security tools to prevent cyber threats. Here are some common EPP offerings that you should look for when deciding on the best platform for your organization: 

• Anti-virus tools
• Data loss prevention
• Intrusion prevention
• Data encryption
• Malware protection
• Behavioral analysis
• Application control
• Machine learning
• Firewalls

Overall, EPP is crucial. EPP management offers a broad view of the entire IT ecosystem, ensuring that devices are secure, protected, and up to date. 

Some EPP tools even integrate proactive techniques like automated patch management. An EPP allows the various security strategies and technologies in play to be managed from one centralized source, making it easier for IT security teams to ensure all endpoints are safe. 

How does EPP work? 

To properly define EPP, we need to understand how these tools work. Basically endpoint protection platforms use a combination of different technologies, such as the ones listed above, to safeguard endpoint-level devices against cybersecurity threats. 

EPP software combines these tactics into one streamlined solution, making it easier for IT teams and security analysts to monitor, control, and secure the organization’s various endpoints. 

The most advanced EPP solutions out there even integrate advanced tactics like behavioral analysis to bolster threat intelligence and ensure the IT environment is safer than ever. While all of these strategies could be executed independently, the main benefit of EPP is that it simplifies IT security management, making sure that nothing slips through the cracks. 

Why are EPP cybersecurity strategies important? 

Effective endpoint software security can help your business ensure endpoint devices remain secure across the organization’s network. Today’s endpoint protection platforms exemplify the latest innovations in endpoint security. They can consolidate complex security stacks and simplify in-house security operations. 

Additionally, the move to cloud-based EPP solutions has made it easier than ever to use a single, lightweight agent to monitor endpoints across the IT ecosystem. Data sharing is also important here – the data that can be gathered and analyzed exceeds that of a single company. Instead, global shared data makes these platforms increasingly effective at identifying suspicious behavior and stopping budding issues before they ever get a chance to arise. 

A reliable endpoint protection platform EPP has numerous benefits, including… 

• Discovering and closing gaps in security
• Guarding against threats without impacting endpoint usability
• Managing both mobile and fixed endpoint devices through one system
• Simplifying IT security management for in-house IT teams
• Improving overall business resilience
• Protecting organizations’ reputation and customer trust

While EPP tools can be an investment, studies show that the investment pays off. In fact, one source discovered that the average ROI (return on investment) of companies who started using an EPP solution was 204% – a figure that equated to an average savings of $2.1 million over the three year period covered in the research. In other words, EPP tools can actually save you money in the long run by keeping your business trustworthy and your endpoints safe! 

EDR vs EPP: What’s the difference? 

EDR and EPP are both examples of cybersecurity solutions that organizations employ to keep their IT environments safe. However, these two types of strategies differ in scope. While EPP is focused on preventing cyberattacks, EDR has the somewhat broader task of monitoring, detecting, and responding. 

For that reason, many organizations use these tools in tandem. Think of EPP as the first line of defense against cyberattacks. Then, if a threat manages to pass through those initial guardrails, an EDR solution can help contain and void the danger. 

That said, some modern-day EPP tools are expanding their capabilities to also include threat response and remediation, which goes beyond the scope of their initial prevention tactics. As you compare different EPP options, make sure to gain a holistic understanding of (1) what you are looking for, and (2) the range of functions that each one provides. 

How to choose the best EPP platform

As you look at different endpoint protection services, it is crucial to undertake a detailed audit of your organization’s needs and priorities. Here are a few factors to consider as you compare and contrast different endpoint protection cybersecurity technologies. 

Customer experience and reviews: When you are looking at your EPP options, make sure to consider third-party reviews from trusted sources. Learning how existing customers feel about a certain platform can help you determine if it will be right for your needs. 

Features and capabilities: Which EPP features are most important to you? Ensure that the endpoint protection platforms you are considering have all of these features – and better yet, have their strengths in the areas you need it most. 

Accuracy and trust: As you look at EPP options, you will want to compare incidences of false positives. A “false positive” is when you get an alert about a security threat, but it ends up not being malicious after all. While some false positives can be expected, it’s important to keep these to a minimum – otherwise, your analysts will spend all day wasting time on unnecessary threat investigations. 

Resource allocation: Endpoint security technologies vary greatly in how many resources they use. You want to make sure you are not over-burdening your system with a tool that is snatching up all of your memory of processing power. Ideally, you want to offer maximum protection with little to no impact on users. 

User interface: An EPP security platform should make your IT team’s life easier, not more difficult! That means that the platform’s capabilities should be managed through one clean and intuitive interface. You might even consider a product that combines security tools with other key IT needs, like RMM or helpdesk and ticketing.  

Customer support: Ideally, you want a platform with minimal downtime and few issues – but ultimately, it’s likely that you will need customer support at one point or another, so make sure you choose an EPP tool with reliable support and even asynchronous resources to lean on. 

At the end of the day, the best tactic to choose a secure endpoint manager is to demo a few different products. You might check out some that are exclusively security-focused and others that offer a range of different capabilities, EPP included. 

Secure unlimited endpoints for one transparent fee

If you’re managing a large IT network, you know that the number of endpoints you’re managing can change a lot month-to-month. So when you’re picking an EPP software to keep your network secure, choosing one that charges by the endpoint could get very expensive.That’s one of the many reasons why our clients like working with us. At Atera, we include unlimited endpoints in all of our plans. Discover the difference it makes using an industry-leading RMM software today, with our 30 day free trial.